Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-01-16
PIONEERS IN SIBERIA.
RED TAPE TENDS TO HINDER
EMIGRATION.
So Many OualificatiO ions Are Asked of In
tending Emigrants that All But the
Most Persevering Become DiscOur-

While the stringent regulations now
governing emigration to Siberia have
| abolished to a great extent the disorder
and abuses OF the old system, they have
entangled the whole process in Il net
work of bureaucratic lormalities, and
the preliminary steps which must be
taken by every intending emigrant are
enough to make all but the most reso-
lutte desist Before making any move
ment at all the emiyrant must seek the
advice of the local authorities and OBJ
| tain certificate of his Suitab lily and
capacity. Permits to emigrate are no
longer easily obtainable, but are fire.
Quently refused on such grounds as
"insulticent MEANS" physical disabil-
ity;" the regulations laying it down
that only good farmers and taXpay-
ers' are to be granted permits. The
provisional permit is given only to the
head of the family or some other able
bodied member of it. who, having ta-
ken the advice of the emigration Otfi-
Gals ut TchelabinSk as to the nature
and location of the available lands, is
sent at nominal fare into Siberia,
where he is free to examine all the
lots available. If he is successful in
finding suitable land he must first have
his choice approved ut the local emiSra-
ton office, the title being Endorsed upon
his pioneers certificate. AfterWard
final permit to emigrate is given to the
remaining members of his family. who
follow him on special terms as to rail
way fare, monetary assistance and ex-
emptions: the poorer obtaining grants
or loans to enable them to set up house
and purchase the necessary nipple
mcntS. Formerly this assistance was
given literally, but the present policy
of the government is to encourage emf
grafton by the more prosperous and
thrifty peasants only and monetary as
sistance Is now restricted to small
amounts seldom exceeding from SO to
so, and then nearly always in the form
of loan repayable without interest
within ten years.
But before the final decision to emf
crate is taken. the number of require
ments to be satisfied is so great that 1t
is not difficult to understand why not
30 per cent of the pioneers undertake
the responsibility of bringing their fam
lilies from home. For while Siberia as
a whole contains the natural resources
necessary for nearly Ill forms of agri-
culture, these resources are very I'M
evenly distributed. and there is no sin
gle district which does not oppose to
great natural advantages certain Ser-
Gus drawbacks. All the best agricul-
tural land has long been occupied, says
II e. c. Long, in the Forum, and the
pioneer who has only some two months
in the year in which he can satisfactor-
lily examine lots scattered over a great
area. must compromise Il hundred con-
flictng interests before he can be sure
of making the best selection. He must
consider the nature of tie land. wheth-
err dry, marshy or salt. the question of
water supply, whether wood exists in
sufficient quantities and of the right
quality both fcr building and fuel. and
whether the crops raised are those to
which he has been accustomed in Rus
STA. He must inquire as to the system
of agriculture practiced- Siberian land
requires much heavier work than Rus
sian-the losses from thieves. disease,
wild beasts and insects; the question
of markets and means of transport:
and the cost Of establishing home
He must ascertain whether the local
inhabitants have emigrated from the
same district. and speak the same d.a-
lect as himself.