The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-29
CONDITIONS IN RUSSIA.
Col. Holloway Again Asserts They Are
Not So Black as Painted.

To the Editor of the India napolis Journal:
l have the Journal Of April 26, containing
your editorial on Social Conditions Of
Russia" In referring to statements con-
tanned in my card published the day pre-
vious you say: ''They are somewhat novel
In that they traverse not only the recent
press dispatches. which. he says, are prin-
clpally Takes and rot but the current
history OF the last twenty years or more
and the statements of many writer's who
have made a study of the subject" My re-
marks were intended TO apply TO recent
publications In American papers that orig
mated IN Berlin, Vienna or London, and
especially 70 the Journals editorial remark
that the Cossacks charged on the masses
OF men and women, cutting and slashing
right and left the story that the En-
peror's office and living rooms were lined
with boiler iron; that mines had been dis
covered under the TZarskoe Selo Palace;
that the Emperor was constantly in fear of
a~ssassination; that he was about to abdi-
cate; that Count Tolstoy had been exiled,
etc. l did not deny that there had been
a large number of arrests, but | now deny
that the students arrested were charged
with Nihilism. The only charge against
them was that of violation of orders issued
by the project of police. What L intended
TO say was that Russia is not near as black
as painted, and that st. Petersburg is as
quiet and desirable a place of residence as
a large majority of American cities.
Tn tleS OF this consulate contain a large
number of letters from Americans making
inquiries as TO whether 1t was safe to visit
Russia, and visitors, when they come, often
state friends tried to dissuade them from
going to such a barbarous country, where
travelling was so difficult and dangerous.
This impression has been created largely
by exaggerated and false reports, made up,
as l said before, by sensational correspond
ents In London, Vienna and Berlin.
Again the Journal says: within a few
days Count Tolstoy has been exiled from
Russia. A few years ago he was the gov
ernment's trusted superintendent OF public
instruction. He is exiled because the in
1uence OF his teachings is feared. Count
Leo Tolstoy has not been exiled, and il
you will permit me l will state that Count
Leo Tolstoy never was superintendent of
public instruction, and that he never held
any public position except as an of1cer In
the army. Count Demitre Tolstoy was
once minister of education. but has been
dead for some years. Another Count Toll
stoy is marshal Of the imperial court.
If | remember correctly. the Journal has
made several editorial illusions TO the ex-
communication of Count Leo Tolstoy from
the orthodox church as a great hardship.
The fact is the count violated the rules OF
the church. scoffed at it's t%enents, for which
he was tried and communicated, as he
would have been had he been a member OF
any other church in any country In the
world.
Americans since the publication of my let
ter, who have travelled in Russia. express
ing the hope that il will have the effect to
dispel the impression that largely prevails
In the United States that Russia Is a law
less country and dangerous to travellers.
w. r. HOLLOWAY.
U. s. Consulate, St. Petersburg. May Is.