The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-09-24
STORY OF PRINCE KROPOTKIN.

One of tho most interesting, rs we'll as
| the most noted OF the visitors attending
the scientific convention at the high
school, Is Prince kropotkip OF Russia
The Prince wss su Interested listener
In the section of geography and geology
yesterday. and while rather holiing
aloof from ths crowd, II seemed to be
rather through an excess of modesty than
| from any desire To bo exclusive.
sio Is man of perhaps 30 years. with
gray hair and a long, silky black beard.
| which gives him almost patriarchal
appearance. While only of average height,
no walks with an air of dignity which
would make him noticeable in any crowd.
Seen Mt the Hotel Cadillac last night he
was most suave in manner and evidently
accustomed 10 reporters. lie said, how
ever. that he could not speak English
sufficiently we'll to give nearly ms good a
description Of himself as could be found
in books.
"Why." he said, "if you wish to know
OF me, there is the English translation
Of Stepniak's Underground Russia,
which gives my whole life. +"
The reporter was compelled 10 confess
that he had no copy of this book, at which
his Highness looked rather grievod that
so ordinary person should bo sent TO
talk with him, but quickly frightened
mp and said:
Surely, thop, YOU have road n book
called Men OF Our Times, in which my
history appears
'Well. you must know that in 1874
was thrown into prison with mum ber
of others because Of our activity in the
cause of tho people. Aftor two and one
half years in prison | escaped and ilod 20
England, and have since resided in that
country. While in France | was thrown
into prison through TIE influence of tho
Russian Government but the scientific
intt rly.,a nattu unl In y,aU hoh hui
that l was released.
shortly before my imprisonment in
Russia l had delivered lecture on tho
glacial PERIOD before the Russian Geologi-
cal Society. which had attracted some
attention, so that the society interfered
in my behalf sufficiently To have me
allowed pen. ink and paper. During my
term in prison ! published the first
volume OF my work, my brother hcing
allowed TO attend To tho outside matters.
Are you u Socialist, Princer' asked
the reporter.
The Prince smiled, shrugged his
shoulders and said In peculiarly soft
voice:
"woll, anything to help downtroddon
humanity"
'Do you believe in the use OF dyna-
n itey" was the next question.
"Oh, " was the reply. "for twenty-five
years have l worked TO reduce tho vio-
ieflte WHlCD going on III tno WOTlu
Then you blame the mon who have
used force in RussiaY" was asked.
The kindly eyes, which had until now
given wholly the impression OF polished,
gentle philanthi opist. grew hard as he
said:
II left Russia before the terrorist move
ment. Yet know that movement was
the natural outcome Of most awful
persecution of all who dared 10 raise a
voice against despotsm. AS an instance
OF the nigh h-huDded methods OF the gov
ernmeDt ! will say that my companions
who were arrested with me remained four
years on trial. Finally, the Judges. who
were appointed by the Gar and supposed
TO 20 completely under his control. sen-
fenced them To short term in prison,
which so enraged the Gar that he arbi-
tarily increased tho sentence without
even the shadow of law to uphold the
action.
MEN lived like hunted things, and to
express any idea Of the ordinary, was to
run the risk or arrest Many of our best
men, leaders IN literature and science,
men who should have been encouraged as
a credit to their country, were working
in ths mines of Siberia, while othors
sought any excuse TO leave the country
of their birth Who shall Judge such men
under such conditions? You whose homes
are sncred and who oil stand equal before
the law may find it easy To oriticise. As
for me, prefer TO say nothing on the
subject.
SIS Russia Improving" he was asked
well, L think tho movement we
started 20 many years ago il bearing
fruit. 1t is now broader, and while not
much is heard Of IL, IL Ia moro wide
spread The people eject n sort Of dis
trict and county council, composed of tho
nobility. clergy and peasants, and they do
much for good roads, sanitary copdi-
tions and education generally. but the
government interferes in everything. and
will not permit an educational system
along natural science lines, considering
it unsafe, and insisting on only the olassi
cal courses. We expect very little from
tho young Car. detroit Tribune.