Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-30

Cossack Member of the Duma from Orenburg
Province.
were semi-nomadic, making raids upon the
peaceful inhabitants of the adjoining dis
tricts, burning their houses and driving off
their stock. Catherine II, however, entered
into a treaty with them, under which they
were given a title to a vast area of land, GER
tain privileges and exemptions and home
rule, provided they would furnish perpetu-
ally so many soldiers for the army. BY
ceremony which occurred at that time the
Grand Duke Paul. the son of Catherine was
made their supreme chief, nominally. of
course. and since then the prince imperial
has been the head of all the tribes of the
CoSSackS.
They have kept their contract. They have
never faltered in their allegiance 80 the
throne; have fought in every war and have
done police duty throughout the empire
ever since. They are considered the best
cavalry in the world. Wherever there is a
post of danger it is occupied by Cossack.
Wherever there is a desperate situation
Cossacks are sent to relieve it, they have
led every forlOrn hope and have covered
every retreat of the Russian army for a
hundred years. They are commanded by
their own officers elected by themselves up
TO a certain rank. They furnish their own
horses and receive twice as much pay as
the ordinary conscript. They are not sub
ject to the regulations and restrictions that
are imposed upon other soldiers, but are
many liberties. They are not subject to
CONSUMPTION like other Russians; the chief
of each clan selects the men that are to
fill his quota and replaces them whenever
he considers it necessary or desirable. AS
long as the quota is filed by intelligent,
able bodied men no questions are asked.
Cossacks Are Intelligent.
The Cossacks are the most intelligent
soldiers In the Russian army, except the
German Protestants who come from the
Baltic provinces. AS l told you In a pre-
vious letter, the Germans ans the Cossacks
have the best schools and the lowest de-
gree of illiteracy in the empire. 1t is the
source of their greatest pride that no Cos
sack has ever been guilty of treason or
disloyalty to the throne and therefore
they are implicitly trusted. Every gen.
eral, every governor, every minister, every
member of the imperial family and other
persons of prominence who has been SEN
fenced to death by the terrorists are
guarded by Cossacks. In Warsaw. where
the revolutionists have driven the police
from their beats, Cossacks have taken
their places. Hence If they should rebel
If they should withdraw their support from
the throne the car would be in despair.
There are some symptoms of discomfort
among the Cossacks, but thus far they
have not assumed an alarming character
At the ministry of war IT is asserted in
the most positive manner that the revolu-
tionary propaganda had not affected the
10000 Cossacks in the Russian army in
the slightest degree. and that there is
apprehension whatever of dsaffection
among them. Nevertheless a little cloud
not bigger than mans hand appeared
the other day in the Cossack sky. The
soldiers of battalion stationed in one of
the cities of southern Russia gave notice
that they would not perform police duty
any longer. They declared that they were
employed to fight the enemies and not the
friends of Russia This. l am assured. is
the first and only instance in which the
(OsSackS have nnblicly shown the
slightest indication of INSTRUMENTATION; but
all of the twelve members of the recent
duma from the Cossack country claim to
have received many letters and petitions
from their constituents in the army asking
to be released from the hateful police
duty.
uties, declared upon the floor of the cham
Der that the entire membership of the
21st Regiment of Don CoSsacks had re-
solved to evacuate their quarters and re-
turn to their homes If they were ever
again ordered to attack citizens who were
merely guilty of political offenses.
Aroused the Chamber.
On the Fourth OF July occurred an Incl
dent which is said to have made a pro-
found impression upon the Cossack forces,
so far as the news has reached them. Mr..
Sedeinikoff. one of the twelve Cossack dep
mtes in the duma, appeared in the chamber
that morning with his head wrapped in
bloody bandages. and shortly after the ses-
sion had been called to order assembled the
tribune and. in imitation of Marc An
tony. told thrilling story of his own ex-
perience. He said he addressing a po-
litical meeting the previous evening
which had been dispersed by the police on
the ground that no permit had been granted
for it. Mr.. Sedelnikoff had informed the Of
ficer in command of the invaders that he
was a member OF the duma, and had
right to address his fellow-citzens. The
officer evidently disbelieved or disagreed
with him and beat him brutality over the
head. Sedelnikof and the other speakers
We're then taken to the police station.
he was released with perfunctory apology
and admonition that members of the duma
should not keep bad company.
After Sedelnikoff had told his story and
exhibited his wounds. Mr.. Stolypin. now
prime minister. then minister of the in