New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-21
RUSSIAN ARMY SERVICE
It's Miseies Described By Dsssrtr
Who Fled OCerSea.

Bangor. Ne. Feb 20 (SpeciaD.-Abrahan Levin,
stOn. deserter from the Russian army arav.s
at 81. John y. B.. from Liverpool this week and
has gone TO live with friends IN Nova Scotia
Levingston. who is a fine looking. athletic youss
Russian Jew, says ne did not desert the arm
solely 20 avoid service IN the present war but that
he has for years been watching for a cEancs o
break away from the miseries OF the Russian ser
vice
His escape was ingeniousIy planned. He nsgzsd
sickness and upon application secured a short
leave OF absence during which he went to bis
home Meanwhile his brother. L. Livingston who
lives at Dfgby y. s. sent him a ticket 70 81 John
and Abraham was able. by bribing the guards 70
leave Russian territory. After that all was easy
and he landed At st. John happy man, thoug
still in dread lest spies Of the Russian Governmer
should be on his track. Livingston had been
the Russian army for four years. and had ST.
eight months 70 serve. but such ths hard.
ships OF the life that he determined TO remain 70
longer than was absolutely necessary.
Livingston says that the whole army Is readyn
revolt owing 10 the rigors Of the Russian milzT
system Every male person IN the country, upon
reaching the age OF twenty-one. Is called upon for
four years and eight months Of military servics
failing IN which his parents or nearest relatives
must pay q fine Of about $50 II the young nan
leaves the country. and returns years later ne .
stil liable TO service and IS also compelled to pT
taxes Tor Lne IlLLe LF iit1 o--l -121lltf DN'-~@
liable to punishment for evading service.
After entering the army the recruits rissra
begin They are drilled continually. and are bound
20 perform any service that may be required
them The food consists OF coarse black orsaa
such as none but furnishing person VoaA
eat No ten. coffee. or beef. or anything sise
the way OF food Il furnished. The men are pafiJ
clothed by the government. but are not furnisns
with boots Instead. they are supplied with FoaE
&r-- r--~r RAJ a
boots.
The Russian, arrnyfs sufficiently strong 70 overcrs
half n dozen nations like Japan II the soltsD
were viIinI, 70 sight. Livingston says. But hes'
so much characterization among the men, aus Z"
cruel treatment that the majority ars readJ
desert at the first opportunity. II a pitched ~
takes place and good chance offers II VI >
surprise thoss who know the army. says Ls~s
ston. to see whols regiments desert Ths =
thing that keeps the men in the ranks Is am
the awful punishments which follcw even -
offences against authority. A large propose
the soldiers are uihilists. whose one aim -
overthrow OF the present autOcratic governn'-.
Russian Jews living in Bangor verify no
scriptions given by Livingston. as above. OF -
sian army life. They are delighted that Russ
IN trouble and that she is likely to havs q a
time OF IT, They are overjoyed at the sueesss''~
the japanese. and express the hope that thss -
march right on 70 MOSCOW t'LoSA"a"' 'D -,
nounce to- although they regard this as n'-'
possible. n
Several immigrants lately arrived IN Bangor
,iviiIv OF the sufferiugs they endured WIS
Russia one Of them said. YOU ask rs for 49, ~,
II Won did that in Russia ard II said an! ll.s1
man would come around 10 see what we Wels I.
ing about Then. az they found out we VOL
sent 10 Siberia. and our friends might he.0. -. +.
Whit became Of us. Ia Russia any oflcal 90 IN
quire what is your business IN any pli.g, IN az
happen to be. II you don't tel-r9uoie, - -
town We had a Jewish school but when ths Pa-ss
~lIica came the children would rJn nome. A.
Russfans don't allow schools. and the peopg9Hs-,
fruOrant-iusJ Ike beasts When the -SS,Sfrr
c1r,a We run away. The soldiers steal eNeLs.~,
CTf 81 every house. They are not bad NJ 4
,vCrss than we-but they are hungry 49,
Things happen in Russia that no one ess. -oHv
s6C,5f ~ man can print anything until ne gssr
see it, so people outside don't hear ABOUT uiI -
i'm the army when men Kill the oInce - ,r,r-f
avvfr,I count v-the worst country IN zee " =
and / shall never go back there. we al IVY
Japanese will win.