The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-05-04

(Edltor'S NOte-The first glimpse
into the prison life Of Gen. Stoessel
Is obtained by one of The Press
European correspondents. 1t shows
the disgraced army officer well
treated, but broken in spirit, brood
ing over memoirs and pensively
staring out of his window upon the
scenes Of hts past gay life. Instant
ly at the mention of army evils a
guard cuts short the interview.)
ST. PETERSBURG, May 1.-Two
cold blue eyes examined me
through tiny wicket in the door,
and a rough voice said:
What DO you want?"
II wish to see Gen. Stoessel,"
answered.
Have you permission asked
the voice.
Here is my ticket" said, pro-
ducing card, which stated that
the commander of the fortress of
st. Peter and st. Paul had the
honor to accord me leave to see
the "nobleman Stoessel." The gate
in the high stone wall opened ami
a soldier appeared. He Examined
the ticket carefully and then show
ed the way to the reception room
in one Of the buildings in the court
beyond. 1t was deserted, but as
we passed an iron grating In a wall
l saw that in the adjoining court
were a number of gendarmes and
jailers.
THAT is where the political pris-
oners are kept said the soldier,
and" he added with a malicious
CLEAN in his eyes, 'they require
more care than our lot here"
The reception room was a small,
vaulted apartment, furnished with
q table and a few chairs. On the
wall hung a copy of the prison
rules. Smartly dressed women ar
rived and Gen. Fock, who recently
wounded Gen. Smirnoff in a duel,
came in, q few moments later, with
several officers.
Principally at 1 o'clock Stoessel
came into the room. He was dress
ed in black frock coat, his voice
was weak and he looked older and
more wrinkleI than when on trial
a few months ago. He Is now q
broken man who realizes that he
has lost in the game of life.
ooh, yes, one can live here, and
in sufficient comfort he replied
to inquiries about his life. ''but it
is vegetable existence. More than
| feel the loss of my uni
form. For 40 years / have worn
the dress of an officer and now l am
not allowed to put on the coat Of a
common soldier or to use mill
tary cap. The rule here, however,
is not severe, the prison food is
good, though simple, and the gov
ernor is most considerate."
in the fortress Stoessel has got
to know his fellow prisoners, Ad-
mirai Nebogatoff, Capt. Lishin and
Capt. Gergoreff. They generally
dine together and no doubt fight
again and win their lost battles.
How does your excellency spend
the day." l asked.
1t begins very early for st. Pc
tersburg," he replied. AT 8 o'clock
they bring the samovar and take
tea. The authorities do not provide
bread and We have to buy that for
ourselves. After light breakfast
| dress and go out for walk in
the little garden. At o'clock l and
the other officers imprisoned in the
fortress dine together and after
the mea! l always find my wife
waiting to see me. We have only
the right to receive friends once a
week, tdt the car has accorded
me the special privilege to see my
dear wife every day. She remains
until 3 o'clock and is not permitted
to stay longer. When she is gone
| stroll in the garden for a little
and Their l settle down to work.
l am writing my memoirs and at
present am engaged in describing
my recollections of childhood, and
| shall prove that those who de-
clare that | am Of Jewish origin
are base caluminators.'
StceGsel pronounced the last
phrase in voice full of anger,
then he resumed his ordinary
feeble tone:
when I arrived at the fortress
no preparations had been made for
my reception, AMI | had to remain
an hour in the court yard waiting
for them to take the things out of
the room of another officer who Is
imprisoned here, in order to make
room for mine. The truth is that
so many persons are at present in
carcerayed in the fortress that the
do not know where to
PUT them"
Perhaps you will allow me to
see your ROOM" | said. 81 have
special permission from the gov
ernor to do So"
Certainly" replied Stoessel,
"but warn you 1t Is not very inn
posing"