The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-11
spirit WREs1LERs. COMING.
Emigration to Canada from Russia of q
Strange Peace-Loving People.

The arrival OF 1880 Russian Doukhobortsi.
or Spirit Wrestlers," In Canada. which Is ex-
pected soon. opens the way to other prosecuted
sects in Europe to an extent that can now only
be conJectured. Certain it is that many promi-
nent men in Boston and other large cities OF
this country are interesting themselves In
establishing colonies for these prosecuted peo-
pies on this side OF the water to an extent little
known to the public. B. F.. Trueblood. Secre-
tary OF the American Peace Society. says on the
subject:
There are prospects. / think one may fairly
hope. that persecution OF sects for refusal. to
perform military service may soon be a thing
Of the past. Just what this country will do. OF
course. 10 not certain or even planned. But /
trust that, through the American Minister at
St. Petersburg. the protest OF the United States
may formally be made to the Gar In behalf OF
the peace-loving people wAhin his country;
and 1t only seems reasonable to presume that
the same may be done for other sects pcrse-
cuted for similar causes.
THE case OF the Doukhobortsi Is appealing
to the sense OF any civilized country. l under
stand that the Society Of Friends In England
has subscribed about f100. 900 in their behalf.
Besides this, Canada. as has been recently
learned. has not only set apart a province for
them In Manitoba of some twelve townships OF
thirty-six square miles apiece. but also offered
q bounty Of 81 on each OF the Doukhobortsi
who go there. Personally. OF course, j am
deeply In sympathy with all movements that
may bring relief to such peace-loviuG and in
dustrious peoples as the Doukhobortsi have
proved themselves to be-"
From other authentic sources OF information
II is learned that not only In Russia are there
sects who hold it sinful TO kill. but also in many
OF the other European countries. In Russia,
besides the Spirit Wrestlers. there are the
Stundists ard also a following of Tolstot. In
southern Austria there are a people who refuse
military service. some OF whose young men
have now been In prison on that account for
renes and number 10000 In France aud Ger
many there are many who refuse military SER
vice. They at east object to being called upon to
Kill a brother being for social reasons. Oi these
social humanitnriuns : there are many in Bel
GUM. Denmark and sweden,
The recent permission OF the Car OF Russia.
granting free emigration to the Doukho-
boTtsi. accordingly. - OF the nature Of q de-
past decade, which have reduced the Plumbers
have not died In GEFison have become heirless
Of the Cars action IN announcing 2 proclama-
ton In favor OF disarmament; with such a
Know Tia, tie X fbHoSukERSb'oSr-ttssSi' we're ERE be ing p pcr @S.
State Council, which has the direction Of Rus-
sia's affairs. IL Is a bureaucratic system. Il X
unutThtOOu tndt lIt location OF uIO the low
Doukhohortsi in Canada was not expected. as
a committee. composed OF william ID. Howeils
Of New York. Jane Addams OF Chicago. William
Lloyd Garrison Of Boston, George Dana Board
man OF Philadelphia. n. o. Nelson OF st. Louis.
Bottom Hall and Ernest II. Crosby Of, NV
York. was appointed 10 represent the United
States in the project Of helplug the cause.
Mr.. Garrison expressed himself warmly In
favor OF receiving the Spirit Nrestlers" in
this country II a suitable place could 10 Ero-
vlded. He had received any number oi Offers
Of tracts Of lands from companies Interested In
the West. Dakota, and Kansas seemed 70
promise excellent fields for operation.
The history Of he Doukhobortsi OF over one
hundred wears shows them 10 DO economical,
hard working. and conscientious 10 the ut
most. They prefer agriculture, although they
have proved competent Ia perform other kinds
Of labor. Thus in growing wheat, oats. barley.
bects. turnips. dc. these are the chief products
o. Manitobal they vii be decidedly az home.
any form. 80 are strictly yegetarians.
The history, Of the. Doukhobortsi begins
about the middle OF the eighteenth century.
Alexander /, in 1916 recognized that persec1-
tlon only served 20 increase their following. In
1StlE5O Nicholas banished them from Taures
to Transcaueasia, near the Turkish frontier.
There. he thought, they would be compelled.
along with other border tribes. toSakS M arm