The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-24

to each family according to its working
units and a house lot and garden spot on
the village street is allotted to each family
The decisions of the assembly are by unani-
nous vote g.. e..
The author thinks Mr. KEENAN, seriously
misrepresents the facts as to the sending
of exiles to Siberia as he included all exfles
in the class exiled without formal trial befors
the regular courts, which is not correct.
The Russian exile system began at the close
Of the seventeenth century, with the depor-
tation Of many revolutionists of southern
Russia to Siberia. Since then there have been
large additions to the exile colonies OF tbs
felon class, and from the ranks of the dis
sentials from the faith of the established
Greek churches. 1t has been only in excep-
tiona1 cases that political -exiles have been
condemned to hard labor close confne-
ment. Usually they are at liberty to pur-
sue whatever avocations they wish and liys
in the style their means permit, their wives
and families being with them. The political
exiles have furnished some Of the best ele-
ments Of Siberian society, many of them
having devoted their time and knowledge to
the scientific exploration of the country and
building up the valuable museums which are
found in all the Siberian cities They havs
gathered facts as to the languages and ethnol-
ogy of the country of much value to science
Others are trusted agents of the governments
in Siberia and not few of them live in
palaces. The author commends the earnest
ness and intelligent quality Of the Russian
prison reform used. In 1900 an imperial edict
modified the seventies of the exile system
greatly. Certain penalties for certain crimes
and -misdemeanors under the common law.
have been changed from exile to imprison-
ment of from eight months to two years O.
by sentence to house of correction from
one and half to six years, and other modif-
cations have been made.
In the portion of the book on the politt-
cal divisions of Asiatic Russia, we have de-
tails of population, productivity, agriculture,
education, etc. Siberia has several UNIVERSE
ties, and in each government there are ele-
mentary, and the higher grade public schools,
classic and other schools. At Iskutsh and
other cities there are fine opera houses. The
author thinks that Russian domination Of
Manchuria is a very good thing for that big
province which is a third larger than Texas,
since, before the Russians went there, rob-
Der bands plundered all traffic and the only
way to get protection was by paying the
strongest OF these predatory hordes large
sum for protection, which the Chinese gov
eminent should have afforded, but did not.
The vast network of nayigable streams In
Siberia suggests the great possibilities for
commercial expansion, although most of the
waterways are frozen part OF the year. The
government has constructed military and post
roads of great value. Every twenty miles q
public official is found, living with his family,
and obliged to keep horses and vehicles and
drivers for the use Of travellers at reasonable
rates. at any hour of the day or night The
author travelled 14O0 miles on these post roadi
at less than 6 cents mile for the two forms
ing the party. In the chapter on railways,
the author shows that the latest Russian rail-
way project, a line from Irkutsk in Siberia
through Urga, the Cobb desert and Kaigan to
Peking would bring Pekng within 400 miles
of St Petersburg. The author presents SONS
interesting reflections upon the capacity Of
Asiatic Russia for development. taking an
optimistic view. He thinks Russia's expan-
sion in Asia has been natural and logical and
that even the occupation of Manohuria need
not endanger the relations of the empire to
other nations. II need not, of course, but tbs
author does not take into consideration the
natural fear of Japan and Great Britain that
Old@Adaan Fad is not trustworthy neagheof
and has small respect for the dogma OF mine
| and thine. He thinks that even II Russia has
| to retain Manchuria permanently under her
protection. 1t will mot be a caiamlty OF great
magnitude to the rest of the world
I The concluding chapters OF the book ara
devoted to the geological history, the climate
and the flora and fauna of Asiatic Russia
The author gives a quasi Endorsement OF the
| theory that the subsistence In central Asia Il
to be correlated with the traditions OF thu
| universal food which are so abundant in ans
cient literature and OF which the account d
the Noachian deluge Is the best example.