The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-09-27

And 1t Is even more peculiar JnaJ Of the
$500 who can read and write Russian 20
per cent. are exiles, or in other words, per-
sons connected with the Naradnaya VOLTA
or revolutionary party in Russia These
eight hundred and odd people are many of
them of good parentage and highly edu-
Gated, but none Of them left Russia from
choice. As a matter of fact they are
nihilists, and persons who would now be
inhabitants of Siberia had they remained
in their native country.
The balance of the Russian population
resident here are western Russians, and
for the greater part Hebrews, which lam
guage they read, although they converse in
Russian.
During a conversation which l had few
days ago with leading New York Russian
and nihilist, he informed me that although
over 1000 members of the Naradnaya
VIOLA reside in New York they are for the
greater part unknown to each other; that
at least two-thirds of them are, even here,
under the espionage of the detectives OF
the car, and that many of them, if found
on Russian territory, would be spared the
humiliations of Siberia by ascending the
scafTold for their well or i'll considered
patriotism.
But what surprised me most during my
interview was what he told me concerning
the detective system of the Russian gov
eminent in the United States.
There being no extradition law for politi-
cal offenses with Russia, suspected persons
are carefully watched here by a special
CORPS of the Third section of his imperial
majesty's own chancellerie," with a view
TO discovering something or anything that
might lead TO discriminating persons be-
longing to the Naradnaya VOLTA, now re-
siding in Russia. And so fearful is the
car of danger from the plottings Of the
New York nihilists that even Russian
type is forbidden TO be sent from that
country to the United States. Every letter
from here is carefully examined before it
reaches its destination, and the addressee
is placed under careful secret surveillance,
no matter how innocent may be the con-
tents of the document.
An amusing incident of this expensive
and, says Mr.. -, useless espionage hap
pened short time ago. A young lady of
respectable parentage landed from Kieff, in
Russia. No one came 20 meet the steamer
But the officials Of the car had cabled
their agents here to watch her. Her move
ments were most mysterious, for she did
not take a cab to drive TO hotel. She ex-
pressed her baggage secretly, and independ-
emily walked out OF the pier shed. Close
behind followed the officers of his majesty
the car, when suddenly at the corner Of
Grand street and Broadway a gentleman
raluted her.
They were certain of a discovery now;
but 80 and behold" the stranger who ac-
costed the lady so Familiarity was their res
ident chief-she was his wife.
Ny informant was better informed than
the czar's officials, for he knew she was
coming and watched for his friends sake.
He learned what he wanted-and they'
Well, they did their duty and succeeded
with their usual success.
And so the war goes on. Correspond
ence is carried on freely between the exiled
nihilists and the brethren at home. The
news from Siberian aud Russian presses
somehow or other reaches New York. But
'the car is everywhere" and the rubles
of the people are spent on a most eXtrava-
CANT and practically Useless detective sys-
TEN among the cities where dwell his ex-
lied subjects. Rob L. WALSH.