Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-09-01
The New Siberia.
From the Boston Journal ]

In his proposition to disarm the nations
of the earth, Nicholas of Russia seems now
to have called attention rather to hopeful
theory than to tangible practice, but In
his project to end the historical transporta-
ton of Russian prisoners TO Siberia the
Gear demands consideration for work
that will earn remarkable distinction for
his reign.
On May Is, 1901, Dmtri, the juvenile
brother of the Emperor Feodor, the eldest
son and successor of Ivan w., called the
Terrible, was assassinated at Uzlich, at
the instigation, If not by the hands, of the
emperor's ambitious and INSCRIPTIONS
brother-in-law, Boris Godunof. The
death of the little prince resulted in riot,
and Godunoff, assuming imperial author
ity, banished many inhabitants of the
town to Siberia, in the capital of which he
also caused the church bell Of Uzlich TO be
hung. That was the beginning OF the
most celebrated series of banishments of
which history has any record.
In the three hundred and eight years
that have elapsed since then the Russian
government has sent more than 1900, 200
rebels, Anarchists, common Indicators
and political and religious dissenters,
many guilty and many Individually inno-
cent, over the famous barren and blood
stained trans-Siberian road, whose termi-
nus grew more distant as Russian power
moved eastward toward the Japan sea and
the Sea of Okhotsk. These three centu-
ries have marked the growth of Siberia
from penal colony pure and simple to a
country of whose inhabitants the govern
ment prisoners are now relatively small
and absolutely undesirable part. In the
last three years 900 persons have set.
tied in Siberia, making total population
of more than six millions. Indeed, in re
cent years the development of Siberia has
been tremendous.
| Most of the settlers in Siberia are Rus
sian peasants, who are not only glad enough
TO be free from the industrial competition
in their native land, but also are steadily
encouraged toward industry and persever
ance by the government. II should not
be forgotten, indeed, that the present Car
in his endeavor TO turn the convict tide
from the rich soil and mines of Siberia, i:
only pursuing plan considered both by
his father and grandfather, but found In
their times impracticable TO operate.
Now, however, the time is ripe for the
reclamation of Siberia from a sort of ma
tional prison, much as Australia was year,
stralia is today. The vast resources of the
country are undergoing rapid development
and in this development the great trans
Siberian railway, with its American equip
ment, is an element of ever-increasing i'm
portance. Siberian agriculture is already
attracting the notice of the world, and new
industries are springing up in every cor
ner. Last year, in the Tomsk dlstric
alone, 5000 men were employed in tn,
manufacture of 80 kinds of commodities
1t would be very simple matter to ex
tend this gratifying and phenomenal rec
ord.
There can hardly be any doubt that tn
commission lately appointed by the Ca
will soon adopt plans whereby the propos
al will be put into practice, and that be
fore many months more have passed tn
new Siberia will have begun its history.