The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1901-11-01
A REPUBLIC OF ROBBERS.
Overthrow of u Government by Out
laws in Siberia a New
Revelation.

The fact that Siberia is only half ex-
plored and that whole communities OF
fugitives exist unknown to the gov
eminent, has often been mentioned by
travellers, but the existence of an
armed republic of thieves and run
Always in one of the most fertile parts
of eastern Siberia is 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 it
is possible for robber communities to
exist and carry on a regular govern
ment for years without interference
by, and even in defiance of, the au-
thorities, says the Shanghai Mercury.
1t appears that in 1886, after the dis
solution by the Chinese government
of the robber republic of Zheltuga, a
number of thieves and outlaws, finding
their occupation gone, decided to form
a similar state in Siberia. They pro-
ceeded up the Amur in small bodies to
a common rendezvous in the rich gold
bearing region on the Gilui river, which
runs eastward into the Zeya, one of
the most important aff1uents of the
Amur. Here the new republic was
founded. At first the settlers num-
bered only few, but in the course of a
few months they were joined by thou
sands of runaway convicts, passport
less peasants and deserters from the
army. A regular government was es-
tablished, and gold-washing opera
tions were carried on on a large scale.
AS president of this republic was
elected an escaped convict named Bas-
trikoff. Police officials were appoint
ed, daily parliaments and courts OF
justice held and punishment inflicted
upon offenders. The punishment of
offenders against order or honesty
was carried out with merciless sever
ity, and every parliament was opened
by the fogging of culprits. At first
women were admitted into the COM
munity, but as on experience it was
found that most offenses were the in
direct consequence of the presence OF
women a rigorous rule was enacted
that no woman should be allowed with
in sight of the community, and any
women found violating this law were
condemned to. merciless fogging.
Asiatics also were excluded from the
republic of the Million Spring, as it was
called, and armed sentries were post
ed to prevent intrusion, but Russian
subjects were admitted without re-
serve on proving that they were out
laws or runaways.
The whole community was organ
lied on the strictest republican prin-
ciples, the utmost propriety being OBJ
served in the daily parliaments, each
speaker addressing his fellow MEM
bers as gentlemen of the society"
The end of this strange republic, an
account of which has been published
by one of it's members, was quite 1ln-
worthy of its origin and methods. Re-
ports were constantly being circulated
to the effect that the authorities had
discovered it's existence and were send
ing 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
considerable force. The republicans
were taken by surprise, and could not
agree whether to resist or dispense.
The invaders took advantage of their
indecision and poured in volley, kill
ing and wounding several men, and dis
rs~sing the remainder. Hundreds
were taken prisoners by the troops,
and all the gold accumulated by years
of work fell into the hands of the Co.'S
sacks.
Such was the end of the republic of
the Million Spring. But it is stated
that some of the runaways have gone
north, with the intention of starting
another republic in a still more remote
spot.