Evening star., 1901-09-21
REPUBLIC OF ROBBERS.
Overthrow Of n Government by Out
laws I'm Siberia.

Overthrow of a Government by Out.
laws I'm Siberia.
From the Shanghai Mercury.
The fact that Siberia is only half ex-
plored, and that whole communities Of fugi-
tives exist unknown to the government, has
often been mentioned by travellers, but the
existence of an armed republic of thieves
and runaways in one Of the most fertile
parts Of eastern Siberia is a new revelation.
An extraordinary story now going the
round of the Russian press shows. however.
the ease with which the law may be evaded
in Siberia, and that 1t is possible for robber
communities to exist, and carry on regu-
lar government for years without interfer-
ence by, and even In defiance of, the au-
thorieS.
1t appears that in 1885, after the dissolu-
ton by the Chinese government OF the rob-
ber republic of Zheltuga, a number Of
thieves and outlaws, finding their occupa-
ton gone, decided to form a similar state
in Siberia. They proceeded up the Amur
in small bodies to common rendezvous in
the rich gold-bearing region on the Gilui
river, which runs eastward into the Zeya,
one of the most important affiuents of the
Amur. Here the new republic was found
ed. At first the settlers numbered only a
few, but in the course of a few months
they were joined by thousands Of runaway
convicts, passportless peasants and desert
ers from the army. regular government
was established, and gold-washing opera
tions were carried on on large scale.
AS president of this republic was elected
an escaped convict named Bastrikof. Po-
lice officials were appointed, daily parIia-
ments and courts of justice held and pun
ishunent inflicted upon offenders. The pun
ishment Of offenders against order or nom
esty was carried out with merciless severi-
ty, and every parliament was opened by the
fiogging of culprits. At first women were
admitted into the community, but as on
experience 1t was found that most offenSes
were the indirect consequence of the pres
ence of women a rigorous rule was enacted
that no woman should be allowed within
sight of the community, and any women
found violating this law were condemned
to a merciless hogging. Asiatics also were
excluded from the republic of the Million
Spring, as 1t was called, and armed sentries
were posted to prevent intrusion, but Rus
sian subjects were admitted without re-
serve on proving that they were outlaws or
runaways.
The whole community was organized on
the strictest republican principles the ut
most propriety being observed in the daily
parliaments, each speaker addressing his
fellow members as gentlemen of the So
ciety."
The end Of this strange republic. an ac-
count of which has been published by one
of Its members, was quite unworthy of its
origin and methods. Reports were con-
stantly being circulated to the effect that
the authorities had discovered its exist
ence and were sending an armed force to
overthrow IT. The republicans on several
occasions were compelled to send out
armed men to reconnoiter. At last the wolf
really appeared In the shape of an officer
from Blagovestchensk at the head of a con-
siderable force. The republicans were
taken by surprise, and could not agree
whether to resist or disperse. The invaders
took advantage of their indecision and
poured In a voliey, killing and wounding
several men, and dispensing the remainder.
Hundreds were taken prisoners by tho
troops, and all the gold accumulated by
years of work fell into the hands of the
Cossacks.
such wa~ mo end NJ tho rennhl;, of thn
Million Spring. But 1t Is stated that some
of the runaways have gone north with the
intention of starting another republic In
still more remote spot.