New-York tribune., 1908-09-06
RUSSIA FEARS TOLST0Y
Newspapers Condemn attempt to
PreUent HOnOrs to Author.

St Petersburg Sept 5-The circular addressed
by the Holy Synod TO all believers appealing to
them to take part in the celebration on Sep
tember in honor Of Count Leo Tolstoy's eightieth
birthday meets approval from only limited sec
ton the press and the public, the latter being
represented by the League of the Russian People
This circular is virtually second excommunica-
tion Of the aged writer. The "Znamia' and other
newspapers condemn II unstintedy. and E scathins
criticism by the '',;ovoe vrenya." which usually
is stanch supporter OF the government, furnishes
criterion Of the temper Of Russian society in gen
eral
Th. provincial authorities are bestrring them
selves at eleventh hour to check the observance
of the day. and the governors of the provinces
OF Moscow, Warsaw, Sarston and Simbirsk have
resorted 10 martial law 70 prevent the celebrations
arranged by the municipalities The censor at ST.
Petersburg has prohibited memorial performance
arranged at local theatre
telegram received here from Yasnays Poliana
says that the influenza and fever from which the
count has been suffering have disappeared. and
that the Inflammation in his leg has subsidized In
the last few days. however. he has become ex-
tremeIy weak and greatly enaciated, and Is
scarcely able speak, but his mental vigor Is not
impaired The counts wife has sent out cards say
ing that even her husbands relatives and close
friends W, not be received at Yasnaya Po1ana
next Vec aesday, owing TO the patients weakness
She has requested all newspapers publishing com
nemorative articles Of the count 70 forward copies
for preservation in the Tolstoy room.
The efforts OF the countess 10 prevent the news
Of the bitterness excited by his jubilee from reach
ing her husband have fruitless- He insists on
seeing all the newspapers and his grief at the
harsh sentiments expressed is pathetic
Yasnaya Poliana Aug. 22-Owtng to the authors
wishes the attitude OF part OF the Orthodox Rus
sian Church and other causes, the celebration OF
Count Tostoy's birthday anniversary has lost al
: most entirely it's originally contemplated impor-
tance and scope. No progress has been made with
the projected fund for the publication OF jubilee
edition of Tolstoy's works and the purchase Of the
Tolstoy estates for the peasantry and the pro-
posed international pilgrimage 10 Yasnaya Poliana
has long since been abandoned Jubilee services
have been arranged IN the principal cities OF Rus
sa and many municipalities and public Organiza-
tions have appropriated funds for schools. libraries
and similar institutions which bear the name OF
Russia's celebrated writer. There will be no for
mai observance OF the day at Yasnaya POliana,
even the presentation Of congratulations by dep
utation Of the peasants OF the neighbo-hood having
been discouraged
The correspondent of The Associated Press found
him sitting in his study. propped up in a large
armchair. with writing table with orderly piles
of manuscript before him. The study walls are
covered with pictures. mainly portraits of his fam
uy and OF contemporary Russian writers and repro
ductions OF Russian peasant scenes BY the young
painter OrloT. photographs Of Henry George. Er-
foreign faces SEEN ha ngins prominently before him
Toistoy eagerly explained the nature Of his pres
rut work a re-editng and enlargement or MS
Course OF Reading" compilation OF the sayings
Of great philosophers and writer's. ancient ana
modern, combined with his reflections 70 form
more detailed intimate account Of his phiiosO-
PITY than has before appeared Two volumes have
been rewritten and the third is near completion
Tostoy spoke with the greatest affection Of this
work "the Benjamin of my labors." evidently the
closest to his heart OF all his books regrettins that
no English translation OF the earlier volumes had
appeared and added. with touch OF sadness:
There are many other things I should like 10 do.
but 7 have no time feel that this must be my
last work"
Inspired BY associates Tolsoy occasionally writes
on political subjects. open letters protesting
against deatf. sentences and the literary censorship
In Russia having rectatly been published IN Amer
lea He asked several questions regarding their
effect and when Informed CT new series OF fines
imposed on ST P-tereburg papers for publishing
the second letter. rema rzcd: "Ah. formerly they
used to pay for publishing my writings; now
they pay the government
Drifting TO a general literary discussion, Tolstoy
seemed TO the gores Of literature foreign
as well as Russian OF the past Great litera-
tu1e he held must spring from the people. be part
OF some great national movement its writer's draw
ing strength from the peoples strength while the
present trend toward srtihciality and surface
observation He Iamented the present decadence
Of Russian literature inspired by immortality and
,npuritv and saw no hope in any OF the present
school OF Russian writer's. new men of promise
OF American writer's he spoke with esteem Of Emer-
son Henry George and Ernest Crosby. and asked
with interest OF the appearing In Amer
ica and the forces they represent About Jack
London he asked several questions. Hovells ia