New-York tribune., 1897-08-22
THE STORY or PRINCE KROPOTkIN
AN INTERESTING DELEGATE AT DETROIT.
From The Detroit Tribune.

One Of the most interesting, as well as the most
noted of the visitors attending the scientific
convention at the high school, is Prince hropot-
kin Of Russia .
The prince was an interested listener in the
section Of geography and geology yesterday,
and while rather holding aloof from the crowd 1t
seems to be rather through an excess or modesty
than from any desire to be exclusive.
He is a man of perhaps fifty years, with gray
ish hair and a long, silky black beard wnIcn
gives him almost patriarChal appearance
While only Of average height he walks win an
air of dignity which would make him noticeable
in any crowd Seen at the Hotel Cadillac last
night, he most suave in manner anu eVf-
IDENTIFY accustomed 10 reporters. He SAID now
ever that he could not speak English sufficiently
we'll to give nearly good description OF hrn-
self as could be found in books.
why" he said. IF you wish to Know OF me,
there is the English translation OF Stepniaks
Underground Russia which gives my who's
life"
The reporter was compelled to confess that he
had no copy of this book at which His Highness
looked rather grieved that so ordinary q person
should be sent to talk with him. but quickly
frightened up and said
"Surely. then. you have read book called
Men Of Our Times in which my history ap-
pears? ,o-.
well, you must know that in 1874 was
thrown into prison with number or others DO
cause Of our activity in the cause OF the people:
After two and one-half years in prison escaped
and fled to England. and have since resided IN
that country. While in France | was thrown
into prison through the influence OF the Rus
sian Government but the scientific societies
worked actively in my behalf that was re-
leased
shortly before my imprisonment in Russia
had delivered A lecture on the glacial period.
before the Russian Geological Society, which
had attracted some attention. so that the So
ciety interfered in my behalf sufficiently TO
have ire allowed pen, ink and paper. during
my term in prison there l published the first
volume Of my work. my brother being allowed to
attend to the outside matters"
"Are YOU a Socialist, prince?' asked the re
porter.
The prince smiled. shrugged his shoulders AMI
said in his peculiarly soft voice:
well anything to help downtrodden hu
manity"
DO you believe in the use Of dynamte~' w. waa
the next question
oh" was the reply "for twenty-five years
have / worked to reduce the violence which In
going on in the world"
Then you blame the men who nave used
force In Russia" asked.
The kindly eyes, which had until now given
wholly the impression Of a polished, gentle
philanthropist grew hard as he said:
81 left Russia before the terrorist movement
Yet know that movement was the natural out
come of a most awful persecution OF all VINO
dared 10 raise a voice against despotlsm AS
an instance Of the high-handed methods OF the
! Government will say that my companions VINO
were arrested with me remained four years IN
prison before they could secure an examination
or trial. Finally the Judges. who were ap-
pointed by the Car and supposed TO De COM
pletely under his control, sentenced them to
short term in prison. which so enraged the car
that he arbitrarily increased the sentence With
out even a shadow Of law to uphold the action
Men lived like hunted things, and to express
any idea out Of the ordinary was to run the fisk
of arrest Many Of best men. lead rs in
literature and science, men who should have
been encouraged credit to their country
were working In the mines Of Siberia while
others sought any excuse to leave the country
Of their birth. Who shall judge such men under
such conditions? You whose homes are sacred
and who all stand equal before the law may
find 1t easy to critcise AS for me. prefer to
say nothing the subject
'Is Russia improvingr' he was asked
well, | think the movement we started 30
many years ago Is bearing fruit. 1t is no"
broader and while not much Is heard OF it II 3
more widespread. The people elect sort OF dis
trict and county council, composed OF the nobil-
ity clergy and peasants, and they do much for
good roads. sanitary conditions and education
generally but the Government interferes in
everything, and will not permit an educational
system along natural science lines, considering
II unsafe, and insisting on only the classical
courses We expect very little from the young
Gar"