The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-13
THEORY OF ANARCHISTS
A Brotherhood Without the Dis
function of Rank.
Their Ideal state of Society Con-
templates no Centralized Govern
VIII Produce and Consume in COEi-
mon-Bomances of Russian Jews.

NEW YORK, Aug 12.-Tbe statement
that there are many Anarchists in this
city and that their number is constantly
increasing is enc calculated to alarm most
persons This bare fact is being tortured
by sensation mcngers into nine days
excitement, but to one who knows some
thing Of the character of the men classed
loosely as Anarchists it contains little
cause for fear OF Anarchists there are
plenty. Numbers of addressed, gentle
manly looking men on the East Side are
known to belong to that body, as well as
many more or less ignorant workmen who
have caught at an idea which they do not
fully understand but which gives them
hope of better day. The former class
may be a danger to the State but it is be-
cause Of the dissemination of impractical
ideas rather than the possibility of any
act Of violence Radicals will call them
philosophers, conservatives will call
them dreamers, but nobody can justly
call them revolutionists. The less intel
ligent Anarchists are influenced by the
peaceable sentiments of these zen, and
among them, too, the number OF revolu-
tionists is small. Not one in hundred
of the Anarchists of the city believes that
in this country, at any rate, terrorizing
tactics should be employed. II cannot be
truly said that they go SO far as to deplore
the existence of a revolutionary spirit in
Europe. They regard it with comparative
Indifference, but they realize that in this
land ii has nc place.
Anarchists are not necessarily a COM
Indy of Tho hat cla
shrinks from the constant, and at times
apparently willful, Misrepresentation Of
their point of view, while these who cher
ish revolutionary designs are, of course,
not going to inform the outside world of
the fact. At a time like the present they
care less than ever TO become talkative,
but to one who knows them they make no
secret of the fact that their ideal OF So
ciety has no place for a centralized gov
ernment An Anarchist OF high education
thus defined for the writer the aims of
men such as himself: I'VE look forward |
he said. Ito the establishment some day
OF state Of society in which there will
be no centralized government; when small |
Safeguarding groups of men will produce
and consume in common, these groups be-
ing federated
From All Countries
Every European country contributes its
share 10 the number of Anarchists in this |
city. They vary in their ideas as to the |
proper methods to be employed from the /
Jews, who are almost TO man anti-revo-
lutionis;s, to the Italians, who compose
the most fiery element. The French and |
Spanish are less philosophical than the |
Russians and Germans. This state of |
affairs is easily understood on account OF i
their more eXcitable temperament, and |
except in the case Of the Russian Jews, |
their greater experience of suffering. The |
Italians form almost a class apart. One |
does not hear them often mentioned by
the others, and when they are spoken of
II is more with pity for hardships in their
oyertazed native country, and for the ex-
eitability of their natures than with a
sense of fellowship.
Anarchists have naturally no organiza-
iion, no leader to be known as such. These
things are contrary to the anarchistic
ideal. There is little PROSECUTING. Not in
frequently, when il seems TO certain of
them that some question invites discussion,
meeting viii be called and the thing
discussed, whatever 1t may be- The gen.
eTal public is welcome 10 most Of these
meetings. Other meetings are merely for
business, TO raise money for publications,
and so on. Lectures are given and these
are followed by discussion, in which any
one may join
But there is practically no widespread
movement to secure converts. The move
nent grows naturally, they say. Promi-
sent Anarchists are ready 10 discuss their l
beliefs with young men who are dissatis-
led with existing conditions and in this
way the number is swelled In the main,
the go-as-you- please ideal is very practi-
sally carried out. The men who may be
.alled leaders, while they have no author
lty. have come 10 be looked up TO because
If superior ability, but one Anarchist has
Just as much right 10 carry on the work
rs any other Prince krOpotkin is just as
good as, but DO better, than the poorest
HorlIingrnan who is laboriously spelling out
books on the brotherhood of man. But
while Anarchists are supposed to think
out matters for themselves. they are often
blind followers of some better educated
man whom they admire. If the man is
rational and peaceable. SO much the better,
and. as most of the educated Anarchists
Of America are peaceful, it follows that
there IS comparatively little in the an
liehistic situation TO alarm anyone.
Evolution of the NihiIist.
Russian Jews. who probably outnumber
considerably all other nationalities. This
is easily enough explained. In Russia they
Tulfered both as Russians and as Jews 1t
mas therefore not to be wondered at that
they drifted into the ranks Of the Nihilists.
Coming 10 this country. they have kept the
theories of their old faith. but have al
most without exception dropped the reyo-
iutionary ideas which they were once ready
to put into practice. Nihilists do not speak
81 their past careers. Reucenee on this
subject is one of the surest signs of mem
bership in that body. Therefore it is not
Easy TO find out the romantic stories be-
hind many of the Jews living in the Ghetto
Of New York but one who is familiar with
that part of the city hears many whispered
tales.
One man. it will be said, left Russia in
great haste Immediately after the assas-
sInation OF the Car Alexander II. and has
lived a life of perfect propriety I'm New
York ever since. If he ever talked he could
tell strange things. but he never does talk.
Another man came here direct from
Siberia. where he spent the last fifteen
years or so because he had the imprudence
to publish a pamphlet which set forth
That there were flaws in the Russian sys-
TEN Of government. There are many such
tales floating around on the lower East
Side. and they are doubtless true One man.
who can often be seen discussing earnest
ly with some friends in one of the little |
East Side cafes. is really Russian Of high
rank. who found il to his advantage 10 |
leave Russia in haste. and to seek a re-
tlge among his Jewish compatriots in the
crowded East Side.
Horrors of Siberia.
There Is a woman, too. who bears a
high name In Russia. but who lives in o0-
scurity in cpe of the poorest parts of this {
city. To n,ore than one Jewish household