The San Francisco call., 1899-11-08
END OF SIBERIA
EXILE SYSTEM

"H HREE hundred and eight years
have elapsed since the first decree
of banishment to Siberia was pro-
nounCed. relates the New York Sun.
In that time 100000 persons have
been sent on the long road, many of them
hardened criminals, others outcasts or
ne'er-do-wells, often more unfortunate
than criminals, and still many others the
victims of their religious or political opin-
ions Dissenters from the orthodox faith
the advocates Of a constitution for the
state and cranks have been mingled by
the scores Of thousands with those whose
oftenses against society deserved the Sc
verest punishment All marched in the
common chain gangs over the bleak route
that became two years journey by the
time Russia reached the eastern ocean.
The first arrivals after an advance of the
frontier We're gangs of cOnvicts. If one
asks where the Siberian exiles have been
chiefly kept the answer is: Anywhere
in that vast domain where Russian SOL
diers have carried their flag" Whether
sent away for their country's good or the
victims of their Governments Injustice
the eXiles have marked by their presence
every successive stage of Russa's ad-
vance to the Anur.
The present Car has decided to close
this long chapter of Siberias history as
a penal Colony. He shares the opinion
which his father and grandfather held
that this degrading use should no longer
be made Of vast and splendid territory
There is plenty of honest labor now with
which to build the roads and fortresses.
work the mines and till the Government
lands services for which the compulsory
labor of chain gangs has been EMPLOYED
When Russia is inviting millions Of her
subjects 70 spread over Siberia and make
the wilderness TEEN and blossom she can
scarcely continue TO send among them the
refuse Of the western quarter Of the en-
pire. The tramp class, composed chiefly
Of escaped cOnVictS, have already treated
some Of the new settlements 10 very un-
pleasant experiences. Russia Is on the
point of relieving Siberia from the odium
of being a penal colony. just as long ago
she relieved the Government of Perm and
Orenburg from it and as England relieved
Australia.
The progress of Siberia. due to the
great railroads now two-thirds completed
the Improvement of river navigation the
opening OF large areas to farming and
mining enterprises and the influx of hun-
brought about new era. The popula-
tion this year is over 6.0G0000 and 500 900
emigrants have poured into the country
since the beginning of 1896. So large a
transference Of settlers from one part to
another of the same country has never
been witnessed before in so short a time
These pioneers are Russian peasants and
many of them have been assisted by the
Government to remove to virgin lands
where they may secure larger farms
They are beginning 20 develop the vast
resources of the country. Last year there
was more wheat for export than found
transportation, though economists do not
count upon Siberia as a worlds wheat
producer. believing that as the country
fiils the wheat-growing area will be
fully taxed to supply the home demand
Industries are keeping pace with agri.
culture They are making and refnIne
sugar at Semipolatinsk, they are turning
out pig iron near the iron mines and In
the Tomsk Government in 1898 about - OO5
men were employed I'm large m rnber of
manufacturing thirty-nine
kinds of commodities.
The Cars commission to devise q pIan
10 replace the transportation of criminals
to Siberia by other punishments held its
first meeting on June Il. The details of
the proposed change require much at
tention For some time the foot journey
of the convict bands has been greatly
shortened by the railroad. The time
seems near when the journey will not be
made at all.