Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-04-23
CARS OWN COURIERS.
/. EVERY ONE ELSE MUST GIVE
WAY FOR THEM.
sHow Three United States Naval Ohlcors
Were Enabled to Make Rapid
and Easy Passage Across
the Steppes of siberia.

I'VE in this country cannot appre-
ciate the autocratic power Of the car OF
Russia. His word must be obeyed!
His name commands respect In his
dominion. He Is never mentioned but
in reverence by the faithful, or in
whisper by those who would oppose
him. There is no open denunciation
Of him. His acts are never criticised,
or, if so, no one is aware OF it except |
as it results in Siberian excursion.
His most insignificant desire is never
controverted by the officials of his
country"
The speaker was one of three lieu
tenants of the United States navy who
a few years ago returned to America
from the Japan station overland
through Siberia, and thence by regular
avenues of travel to New York, the
remark being addressed to reporter
of the New York Herald.
1--WE had unusual facilities for max
ing the Journey" continued the officer.
..Our government communicated with
the Russian minister at Washington,
he with his his home Office, and even
tually Baron Struvi, then Russian min
lister to Japan, was notified.
s.Our passports were inspected and
countersigned by the baron, who in
addition gave us several personal and
open letters to be used along the route.
As we were leaving the baron's office
he called us back. He seemed to
deliberate for moment, and then
said: Gentlemen, there is one more
document that l can give you. You
must treat it with respect. Never use
it but in case Of absolute necessity. Ii
possible don't use it at all. Never
present it but as last resort, and
then, if possible, to the highest official
of the Russian government that is at
hand
1.-The baron left the room. Pres
emily he returned and handed lis a
sealed document. As he gave it TO us
he said: i am not at liberty to dis
close the nature of this document. You
may never use it. So far as l am
aware no foreigner has ever posses sed
the like. You are Americans; our
governments have always been friend
ly; you are granted an unusual priv
ilege; respect my injunctions.'
1--WE thanked the baron promised to
follow his instructions and retired.
..As we proceeded on our trip we
often discussed the nature of the
document. Sometimes we joked about
it. We had no occasion to use it
early in our trip, for our passports and
letters We're everywhere treated with
the greatest respect.
1'Our journey was about three-quar-
"tes finished when one afternoon we
arrived at post station, all of which
lin Siberia are under military control.
'.On calling for a change of horses
we were informed that we could secure
none that evening; moreover, we were
told that it might be several days Or a
week before We could leave the post.
I'VE inquired the reason and re-
ceived an evasive answer. There was
q horse disease or something of that
sort, they said. We knew it be false.
& for the horses were all in good condi-
ton. We protested--the conversation
was in French-but we could gain nc
satisfaction. The official smiled in &
provoking manner.
1--WE finally bethought ourselves o
our mysterious document, and resolved
to present it to the military governor
of the post, whose residence had beer
pointed out to US.
1--WE called for our luggage and ar
rayed ourselves in the snowy full dres
of United States naval otficer-cOcke'
hat, dress coat, gold lace and epaulet
and sword. We took our credential
and the mysterious document and file
up to the governors house. We re
solved to try the ordinary means first
SO as to learn the full efficacy OF tn
missive we carried. I confess l wa
curious about the thing.
1.-The governor treated us with tn
marked courtesy Of Russian militar
officer. He, too conversed in French
He told us it was impossible for lis
leave the post, but he gave US no reaso
for the detention.
1--WE had arranged before hand a pla
of procedure. So we put our heads t.
yether and talked and gesticulated
English, of which the Russian was il
norant. Finally, in dramatic ma
ner, l pulled out the unknown doc
ment and handed it to him. He brol
the seal and glanced at the contents.
THE poor man turned pale. his le
-trembled. He was so agitated he cou
hardly speak. Why did you not pr
sent that beforee' he said, you wou
have experienced no difficulty the
Now I am liable to severe punishment
1--WE had seen many strange sigh
and had passed through many stran
adventures on that Siberian trip" &C
tinued the speaker ''but the consterr
ton OF that Russian, must COME
frightened me.
" DO you know the nature OF t
document?' he said to US. He had
IDENTIFY noticed our wonderment at
AdenOument.
1--WE confessed that we were ign
ant. why, gentlemen he said, tt
document is your appointment as spec
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