Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-11-10

surprising size Of the Russian army as
compared to that OF all other nations
and by night has visions of empire
which would surpass by far the dreams
OF the widest American imperialist. He
regrets only that his language has not
the vitality Of the English, French and
German and that 1t has not with these
an equal chance to live. In Russia 1
found people generally willing to be Of
service. Two instances illustrate this
Wishing to see the cottage of Peter the
Great asked guidance of a soldier
In uniform. He not only gave the d.
rection, but Insisted on going with me to
the place, as it was somewhat out Of
the way. 1t was half hours distance
as they say in these countries, and /
was sorry to cause him the trouble. He
chatted cordially and the cottage at
hand, excused himself and was gone al
most before knew 1t. Another time I
received information from an officer of
the navy, who also went out of his way
to guide me. Every Russian naval Of
ficer is required to have a knowledge of
English The authorities of govern
ment propose to know who enters and
who leaves the territory, and the reg
ulations concerning the passport is one
of the vexatious, time consuming things
which tries the patience of the traveller
and makes him vow that Russia once
| left behind will be again unyisited. At
lleast SO / felt when spending precious
time in running here and there to OBJ
tain possession of my credentials when
ever happened to have need of identi-
| fication. First the passport must be
"vised" by a Russian minister outside
the empire, who charges for his see
| ing and making the record a dollar.
But he refuses to take cognizance of 1t
unless 1t has been signed by an Ameri-
can minister. Accordingly he must be
visited and paid for his signature. Then
| 1t must be examined and stamped at
| the border. The first request at the
1 hotel is for the passport and it is taken
possession of by the hotel clerk, who
turns 1t over to the police Before leav-
ling for the border was obliged to visit
ipolice headquarters and signify my in
tention, receiving stamped permission
on the back of the passport From the
1 hotel it must go to another official and
| then before the border is crossed a final
examination is made and the departure
iron the country noted. Two Germans
on the train had evidently missed some
step of the process, for the guard came
to them and said: You can go no far
| ther." There was no explanation. That
was the decision and it was authorita-
tive. The Germans return the contpli-
ment by requiring all Russians enter
ling their territory TO be provided with
/ passports. / have had a warmer feet
/ ing for Deutschland since the day |
Ecame in from Russia. The crowd was
4 in great confusion, searching for pa
pers, looking after baggage, pushing
EVERY way at once, and passing through
the gate but slowly. Coming to the
lguard / said II am an American" He
passed the word on, the gate was
opened and went through With no
/ questions concerning passport or bag
gage. I saw carload of Russian
Eemigrants bound for the United States.
They herded on the stone floor Of the
depot like sheep; baggage in bags.
boxes and tied in shawls and handker-
chiefs. They were started through
Germany in box car, the side of
| which bore placard, "Russlch Ans
wanders,'' a warning to passengers to
.lleave that car to itself How many
thousands of such herds can America
in safety and justice receive?
w. c. BARCLAY.
4 Dresden Oct. 90