New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-23
TIE "Oolf'S Passport"
Unfortunate Beings Who Are Doomed Life of Wandering
bv the Russian

Oh Al fhe extraordinary penalties devised by
ols Russian government for the punishment Of
what they are pleased 10 regard political Of
fences. there IS one which is perhaps more re-
spOnsible than any other for the phenomenal
spread OF revolutionary propaganda among the
ninety millions Of ignorant and for the most part
entirely nhterate peasants. Il Is punishment
which cannot be regarded as sanctioned by stat
ute. since mention thereof Is 10 be found in
the code OF laws. Nor has II ever been imposed
by any Judicially constituted tribunal II is
applied IN a wholly arbitrary fashion by the
police authorities. without any form OF trial. its
unfortunate objects having opportunity or
means OF relieving themselves from the sus-
picion prompting the measure in question
against them II Is nothing more nor less than
a written order. which H. issued at the caprice
OF the local police authorities compelling persons
who have incurred their dispeasure 20 leave
their homes al a moments notice. often IN the
middle OF the night with the knowledge that they
are never 10 lie allowed return The exiles
are provided with a document popularity known
a the "wolfs passport" which directs them TO
start Al once voyage 20 which there IS no
conclusion save the prison or the grave.
On receiving II, the wolf must Immediately
leave family and friends behind and proceed 70
another police station AT a certain distance
usually a day or two's journey. where he must
have his passport vised. and be prepared with
out delay 10 make another stage OF hts pilgrim
age. There is no particular plan or system IN
the laying out OF his route or stopping places.
lIe must only avoid his home town or the place
OF his As long as he covers enough
ground, and reports 10 the police al proper in
tervals he can travel IN what direction ne
pleases: but never staying more than a few
hours in any one locality or returning 10 a spot
that M has already visited Each days journey
must be 81 sufficient length TO satisfy the police
that there has been no lettering. The wolf IS
expressly forbidden by the terms OF the passport
10 remain anywhere more than a brief period 10
rest or refresh himself He must. after each
stop 60 out again upon the road. regardless OF
his condition OF fatigue OF health OF the state
OF the elements. Even II blizzard be raging
the man or wOmsn-and the political suspects
are usually persons OF education. and often OF
birth and breeding-must pursue the never
ending journey. aware that If they linger beyond
the appointed time and do not reach the next
police station upon the given day they viii not
only subject themselves TO imprisonment and
hard labor. but VIII likewise bring down the
wrath OF the authorities upon the Good samsr-
ttans who have accorded them more than
NIGHTS shelter. In Russia. where every Janitor
and street cleaner Is IN the employ OF the police
WHARF, the village elder rules HIS community with
q roo OF iron. being responsible for ts behavior
&C The government. ana where there is a police
station in every little town, and even IN the
lxrger villages. Il Is almost impossible for
stranger 10 enter the place without his arrival
being known within a few hours. and then fol-
lows. OF course. request 20 see his or her pass
port
II the name OF ''wolf" r. applied 20 this par
iiculsr marching order ~ Is because. Of all the
beasts o. creation there is none more hunted,
sutlswed and friendless than this four-footed
Counterpart Of Cain-an animal whose lot has
no much IN common with the political suspect in
Russia And IN order 10 appreciate the horrors
OF the punishment Il may be recalled that when
sne early and medieval Christians endeav0red 20
tevise a penalty propOrtionaae 20 the crime Of
the Jerusalem coObler. Ahasuerus. who refused
y drink OF water 10 Christ on his way 10 Col
soths and told him TO hurry along" they hit
upon the idea which If embodied in tho legend
Df the Wandering Jew. and which is 10 the erect
shst Jesus. looking az him ntently, remarked, 4
win stop and rest, but you shall march on I'll
she last judgment"
Fossil Il Is because the Russians are 50 back