The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-10-18
A REPUBLIC OF ROBBERS.
Overthrow of a Government by OUT
laws in Siberia II 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
aways 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 eyaded 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 ommon rendezvous in the rich gold
bearing region on the Gilui river, which
run eastward into the Zeya, one Of
the most important afluents of the
Amur. Here the new republic was
founded. At first the settlers num-
bered only a few, but in the curse of
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
cd, 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 ever
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 hat 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 a merciless flogging.
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 We're 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 I'M
worthy of its origin and methods. Re-
ports were constantly being circulated
to the effect hat the authorities had
discovered its 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
a 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 a volley, kill
ing and wounding several men, and dis
persing the remainder. Hundreds
were taken prisoners by the troops,
and all the gold accumulated by years
of work fellinto the hands of the Cos
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
Snot