New-York tribune., 1901-03-31
RUSSIAN NlHILISM.
SOME OF THE THINGS ITS ADHERENTS
SEEK TO ACCOMPLISH AND SOME OF
THE METHODS THEY EMPLOY.

not the present trouble is as widespread and
deep rooted that of former years prob
ably nobody within without Russia is in po-
sition declare For the Nihilist movement is
necessarily unorganized. The rule of not letting
the right hand know what the left hand is doing
is. by compulsion. their principle. In all parts
Of the empire little groups of revolutionists
w;.o know that they have many comrades; the
government knows that the Nihst clubs dot
Russia from end end. but the true extent of
the movement is known neither to the nor
to the other. Among the Nhilists themselves
communication involves risk too great TO be
lightly undertaken, while the government for
all its costly spy system, can obtain only vague
Information r. garding the condition Of the great
volcano the pinnacle of which is enthroned
the conscientious and unhappy Nicholas. The
mystery which surrounds the movement natu-
rally serves to add to it's terror for the Russian
and to increase its fascination for the student
Of political conditions.
Difficult as communication is the task has to
lie undertaken by somebody. While the Nihsts
are not an organized body. there is central
committee which makes communication with the
scattered clubs the object of its existence. The
Whereabouts and dOings Of the societies are
known in great part TO this little circle Of men
They are Russians. but not residents of Russia
Zurich is their headquarters They do not al
ways dare to make ordinary use of the mails
but send messengers to their Russian comrades
keeping up a system of secret service as elabo-
rate as the vigilance of the government will per
nit. Within the empire itself Odessa may be
said to be the headquarters of Nihilism II is
certainly not in st. Petersburg that the revo-
lutionary plans most carefully debated
Nihilism is. not unnaturaly. the child Of the
cit and drf1or
liberation of the serfs in 1861 thrilled Russia
from end TO end, and brought about a desire for
education unequalled in the empires history.
1t seemed the dawn of new day for Russia
So. indeed, it was but far different In character
from what was expected. From the day when
the great deed Of Alexander II stirred Russia
TO reach cut and grasp the heritage Of learning
which had 50 long been the prerogative Of the !
few, until the present time. Nihilist ranks have
been recruited mainly from the educated OF
late years. since the labor movement has begun
to creep in, the workingInen are becoming i'm
bued with revolutionary ideas This CONTINGENT
OF the Nihst army is not likely to grow less |
as time goes on But ii is the very fact that the |
Nlhilists are for the most part city people that
mas enabled the government to suppress the
movement these many years. Russia is pre-
eninent!y an agricultural country Official fig
49, Pa 'H' ld'a'il population AT about !
million souls The socialists say that il is three
or Tour times as great as that, but even putting
the figures at their high St they insignificant
when compared with the mass of Russia's popu-
lation The Cars subjects in Europ. and in
ASIA number about 129,00O0oO The Nihists
form tiny body compared with the great mass
Of On-revolutionists.
Figures. however seldom tell the truth
Nihilists are in minority. but their sympathiz
-rs' undeclared revolutonists are doubtless
many To become an avowed Nihilist REQUIRES
courage and, again, there is a liberal element
winch is thoroughly dissatisfied with existing
conditions. while deprecating violence in bring
ns about change. For "A Nihst is properly
speaking. one who despairs of lettering present
conditions 10y peaceable means although he is
lot at all times "A terrorist. Prince Kropotkin
Who is now in this city, has said:
TO confuse Nihism with terrorism is as
wrong as to confuse a philosophical movement
Ike stolclsm or positivism with a political move ,
nent, such as, for example. republicansn Ter
orism was called into existence by certain
pecial conditions of political struggle at =
lVen historical moment. 1t has lived it has
led 1t may revive and die out again
AS usually employed, the term is very in
lusiVe. a Nihilist may be an anarchist or he
nay be a republican or a socialist or even one .
ho desires a consttuti nal monarchy The main
ONT Is that he is ready To use any weapon to .