Mohave County miner., 1891-03-28
CARS OWN C0URIERS.
EVERY ONE ELSE MUST GIVE
WAY FOR THsM!
How Three Unitsd states Naval Onesrs
Were Enabled 10 Mako . aaDld
and Easy Passage Across
the stePpes Of slberiA.

'Nye In this country cannot appre-
cIate the autocratic powerof the ozar Of
Russia. His word must be obeyedl
His name commands respect In his
dominion. He IL never mentioned butt
in reverence by the faithful, Or In d
whisper by those who would oppose
him. There is no open denunciation
Of him. His acts are never criticised,
or. II so. no one is aware Of IL except
as IL results In Siberian excursion.
His most insignificant desire is never
eontroverted by the officials Of his
country
The speaker was one OF three lieu
tenants OF the United States navy who
n few years ago returned 10 America
from the Japan station overland
through Siberia and thence by regular
avenues Of travel to New York. the
remark being addressed TO Il reporter
Of the New York Herald.
I'VE 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
lster 10 Japan, was notified.
Our passports were Inspected and
countersigned by the baron, who In
addition gave Us several personal and
open letters 10 be used along the route.
As we were leaving the baron's Office
he called US back. He seemed 10
deliberate for moment, and then
said: Gentlemen, there Ia one more
document that i can give you. You
must treat II with respect. Mover use
IL but in case OF absolute necessity. II
possible don't use IL at all. Never
present II but as a last resort, and
then, II possible TO the highest Official
Of the Russian government that is at
hand
THE baron left the room. Y Pres
emily he returned and handed us a
sealed document. As he gave il 70 us
he said: i am not at liberty 10 dis
close the nature OF this document You
may never use 1t. So far as ! am
aware no foreigner has ever Possessed
the like. You are Americans; OUR
governments have always been friend
ly; you are granted an unusual priv
ilege; respect my injunctions.'
I'VE thanked the baron, promised to
follow his instructions and retired.
"As We proceeded on our trip VIC
often discussed the nature OF the
document. Sometimes we joked about
IT, We had no occasion TO use Il
early In our trip. for our passports and
letters were everywhere treated with
the greatest respect.
''Our journey was about three-quar-
ters finished when one afternoon we
arrived at a post station, all Of which
In Siberia are under military control.
''On calling for change of horses
we were informed that we could secure
none that evening; moreover, we were
told that 1t might be several days or
week before we could leave the post
I'VE inquired the reason and re-
ceived an evasive answer. There was
a horse disease or something OF that
sort, they said. We knew 1t be false,
for the horses were all In good condi-
tion. We protested-the conversation
was in French-but we could gain no
satisfaction. The official smiled in
provoking manner.
I'VE finally bethought ourselves OF
our mysterious document, and resolved
70 present IL to the military governor
OF the post, whose residence had been
pointed out TO us.
1--WE called for our luggage and ar
rayed ourselves in the snowy full dress
OF United States naval officer-cocked
hat, dress coat, gold lace and epaulets
and sword. We took our credentials
and the mysterious document and fled
up TO the governors house. We re-
solved to try the ordinary means first,
SO as to learn the full efficacy Of the
missive we carried. I confess I was
curious about the thing.
The governor treated us with the
marked courtesy Of Russian military
officer. He, too, converted in French.
He told us it was impossible for US TO
leave the post, but he gave us no reason
for the detention.
1--WE had arranged before hand plan |
OF procedure. So we put our heads To-
gether and talked and gesticulated in |
OF which the Russian was ig-
norant. Finally. in dramatic man.
ner, l pulled out the unknown docu-
ment and handed IL TO him. He broke |
the seal and glanced at the contents.
The poor man turned pale, his legs |
He was so agitated he could |
hardly speak. Why did you not pre-
sent that before?' he said, you would |
have experienced no difficulty then.
Now am liable to severe punishment
I'VE had seen many strange sights
and had passed through many strange
adventures on that Siberian trip" con-
tinued the speaker. 'but the consterna-
ton Of that Russian, must confess,
frightened me.
" Do you know the nature OF this
he said to us. He had evil
IDENTIFY noticed our wOnderment at the
We confessed that we were ignor-
ant. Why, gentlemen. he said, that
document Is your appointment as special
eouriers TO the car. Armed with such
a document the Russian who detains
you, who refuses to succor you in time
Of need or who places any obstacles in
your way is liable to the severest pun
ishment--trial before military tribunal
and death, il found guilty"
The governor then explained the