New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-05
THE HE'LL OF SAGHALIN.
A NEW HOME FOR RUSSIAN ExILES IN THE
NORTH PACIFIC.
THE GOVERNMENT TO USE TIE ISLAND AS A
PENAL COLONY IN THE FUTURE IN
STEAD OF sIBERIA-TERIOIs OF
THE PLACE.

THE PLACE.
few months ago the political and diplomatic
world OF Europe was surprised by the an
nouncement from St. Petersburg THAT the de-
portation of prisoners to Siberia was to end next
year. Numerous euogiums In consequence were
spoken and printed upon the Car and his coun-
sellers. and the announcement hailed as an
evidence Of a great reform movement in Russia
But the delight and satisfaction of those interested
in human progress were premature Siberia, 1t Is
true. Is to cease to be the penal colony OF the
Russias but a land even terrible TO exiles
Is to take its place The for the change
were made public few days ago In the northern
capital.
Few people, not students OF geography. probably
recall the Island of SaghalIn. or Tarakai 1t les
in the Pacific Ocean north Of Japan. and forms the
most eastern possession OF the White car. IL IL
not entirely unknown to the "criminal' world or
Russia for II has been the home OF exiles whose
hopes Of seeing their country practically endeu whe"
they landed on its shores. But II VIII sooh De
name familiar to the world. 1t Is to become the
home OF the future eXiles
The change has been contemplated, IL appears
for some time by the Russian Government. Inc
completion OF the great Asiatic line OF railway
through the immense province Will open up a new
country to trade and Russian merchah's aircaus
count upon gaining great wealth In tha' oio.
The Government hopes to direct Russian e'e'"
ton toward Siberia when the railroad Is III OPERA
ton and deyelop mighty Asiatic empire AS an
aid to these plans the stain Is TO lie TAKEN iIo'"
the name Siberia Russian merchants and volun-
tary settlers in Siberia have convinced the "os
eminent, according to Russian papers t"a' '','
can only be done by ceasing to deport crihia's
and political exies there and establishing ano'"e'
penal colony Saghan in the future Will De- there-
fore, the with whch tte r'usS'a" P''~
will conjure. l.,
Tho climate according to authentic writers, Is
moro severe than any part Of Siberia. The islanu
is known among Siberans as the heh vi "'s
han"-an expression which says VOLUMES J." wv
mouth OF an expatriated Russian VINO KNOWS '"e
terrors Of the far East. Up to the present 'i'''e
only the criminals with the worst records nave
been sent to Saghalin. An anonymous writer !"
tho "Odessxij Listock'' recently gave narrowing
n,cturo Of the conditions on the island. FROM ITO
place do many try to escape-ou' lev
succeed The runaways are known as pl'uJ"
gan" Despite the accounts OF terrible suieii"s
and hardship brought back by UNSUCCESSFUL iusF
tives the Saghalln "Brodjasan increase III "u.
bers every year The hardships Of siberian lus'-
t,vas are described as mild in comparison sur
roundod on all sides by the ocean. with the near
est land hundreds of miles distant escape i'''
the place Is almost impossible -,
"Rut despite this" says the writer. men are WI
ing TO risk quick death in the waves ralne, '"a''
,ho ,errors of the island AS rule. the Brodjagah
r
,or Those who try to make away IN the SUM-
or 10 q rule take I'D their abode In the TaJga'
an almost Uncomfortable forest. AS long as 'ne
clothing and provisions last they are comparatively
bonnv there despite their trials But wheh '"e
c,otbnp IL torn to shreds. when the provisions are
gone and when hunger and the bites OF poisonous
insects have weakened the poor fugtives they SOU"
d,s A few reach the coast, where most Oh them
ore recaptured and taken back to the places VI
torture and torment. Those who choose the VIII
| Tor for eisht fare probably the worst of all In
December the channel Is frozen ana tn's iac' ~,
| many 70 destruction. They travel only by hight'
rcao,,ny themselves in deep ice holes In the day.
| time in a temperature which cannot be cescr'Deo.
Dut words fail to picture the terror and misery ano
| suffering Of these fugitives 49,,
"Among the remarkable prisoners now o" ."e
island IL Sofe Bluehsten, known as the s''.
hand, She Is a criminal genius OF the rrst oroer'
Do,,o tho fact that she has been in solitary con-
6nement for years she has been abe 10 VI s"''~
n hand OF criminals which has comint'eu many
o,rocious murders. Although possessing the cri"'-
inal instinct In high degree she Is not Tree I'm
,he weaknesses Of her SEX Her guards report that
- .ouo unknown way she succeeds in getting
rouge with which she paints her cheeks. she a'So
ooIors her eyebrows curls her hair daily, and ar
ranges her naturally homely garments attractNey.
When she consents to talk Of her eventfu ne sne
forges the Shah of S T SaUd 'o was still
Young and beautiful and comparatively rchGtne
result of her INSCRIPTIONS lifeshe decided TO ss h
the most beautiful diamonds of His Majesty. VINO
umS Travelling through Russia toward Persia at
wa, MAS tIme She followed him from place to place
occupying always special car a n into oe conversaton
with the Shah But her efforts were vain she
got to the Shah ana was es n ppst
~ Ills Maiesty's gems She recalls the expense to
this day, with sorrow.