Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-05-10
Herr Won Rengarten Addresses Some Ger
man Friends.

/ UQe traveller IdNOTe0 MS pCim
friends with a brief review OF MS
trip. He dwelt principally upon
Persia and its terrible conditions, de-
scribing the country as well as its
people and their abominable customs
and traits. Between their superstl-
tion, ignorance and all lack OF NOR
ality Herr Rengarten considers them
about the lowest race on the globe.
In Persia he says all women, and girls
from 10 years up, are absolute slaves,
while the male part of the lnhabit-
ants are lazy, filthy, vile barbarians.
This of course refers to the common
people. The Persian prisons are ver-
liable hells, where the government
takes no responsibility except to in-
carcerate the victims.
The only food prisoners receive is
what is brought in by compassionate
Inhabitants. They are not only
chained, but must sleep in stocks in
gangs of six. Their cemeteries consist
VI WdllCu plbo, WuClO bhO cONANS w
thrown for vultures to devour.
In speaking of Russia and Siberia
later the gentleman says most of the
exiles for criminal and political Of
fences live in freedom among the
farmers of Siberia, and are angels
compared with the barbarous mussel-
men to the south. These exile con-
yicts are mostly educated, warm
hearted fellows, and give traveller
the best of entertainment. The in
vasion of East Russia by the great
railroad he says is having dire effects.
The natives he says who were quiet,
inoffensive set Of people, are not i'm
proving with modern innovations.
They are largely falling a prey to
drunkenness. Whisky 10 sold at five
rubles per gallon, four of which is for
internal revenue, and the government
is encouraging its consumption in or
der to keep up its finances. The
speaker visltedl a town OF 5000 in
habitants and found not oyer $50 sober
persons, the place being strewn with
besOtted, maudlin specimens Of hu-
mapity.
Herr Won Rengarten speaks in the
highest terms of the Americans, by
whom he says he has been treated
most nobly. He considers this the
ideal country of the world, and thinks
seriously of making his home here
after completing his tour. He says
he is everywhere received most hos
pitably, and says this is the only
country where he has not at some
time been jeered and insulted for his
foreign habits and costume. Where
ever he has come in contact with
Americans even though he could not
speak their language, he has been
royalty received and treated as a cul-
tured person deserves.
He is taking deep interest in the
American Indian, and was deeply i'm
pressed by the magnanimity Of the
government upon visiting the Chem
ava school, where he was shown all
its workings by Supt. Potter.
While there he made few re-
marks to the school, which were
interpreted by Prof. Winkler, and
greatly enjoyed. He expressed espe-
cial regard for all American institu-
tions, and to illustrate referred to the
Indian school. He says it is difficult
for European to realize how gen.
tleman like Superintendent Potter
can so nearly place himself on equality
with the pupils and employees, and
have their absolute respect and coop
Grafton without manifesting his supe-
Iior authority upon every occasion.
He also visited the institute for the
blind, and was delighted with Super
intendent Carters work. In this
connection the gentleman suggested
TO the JOURNAL that he would like to
commend one thing the Japs. are do.
ing for their blind. They have on the
suggestion of DR.. Edmund Nauman,
of Berlin, added a department to train
pupils in the massage treatment that
has grown so popular the world over.
The blind are not only competent to
do this work, but their lack of sight
makes them especially desirable to
patients.
The writer, has digressed from the
points of the talk given at the studio,
and very reluctantly brings the report
TO close. Prof. Winkler, in behalf
of the company, heartily thanked
Herr Won Rengarten for his most in
teresting talk, aud took advantage OF
the opportunity TO suggest the forma-
tion Of German society or club for
literary or social improvement. His
suggestion met with general approval
and 1t was decided to take the matter
up early IN the fall. All present felt
grateful TO Prof. Winkler for the op.