Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-28

the membership is not made up predomI-
nantiy of women. 1t crosses the border
land into the region of the political So
ciety with club premises and INDUCES in
Sunday lectures on democratic topics,
which the police attend and occasionally
put a stop to.
The problem that the gregarious in
stincts Of Russians in their long dark
evenings has set before the governor Of
the city springs mostly from the smaller
clubs. In a tentative way the chiefs of
the government are trying to steer them
into what are officially looked on as safe
and wholesome courses. Prime Minister
Stolypin has just sent good wishes to the
newly former Academic club of senior stu
cents and graduates whose bond of union
is interest in scholarship and university
studies.
But none OF these institutions is allowed
to see the light of day unit its articles of
association have been passed through a
minute and suspicious examination by the
officials Of the ministry of justice. 1t has
taken a sailing club, whose quarters are
at the mouth Of the Neva over a year TO
incorporate itself. The project Of the cItv
decided that he must first satisfy himself
Of the good intentions Of the promoters
and impose on them a set OF regulations
which aimed at preventing the membership
ever getting tainted by persons who might
use their liberty of assembly for any kind
OF agitation.
This ingrained fear of meetings Influences
every application of the regime Of re-
enforced protection. In the private rooms
Of restaurants where dinner parties are
given there must be no key or bolt to the
doors, nor may the restaurant keeper sup
ply his guests with writing materials. II
a party OF more than ten are to meet i'm
any hired room they must give forty-eight
hours notice to the police. stating the pur-
pose of their gathering, even II it be only
a dance or a wedding feast.
Excess of Males.
st. Petersburg has an excess Of male
population due to the great number OF mer
from the provinces in the junior branches
of the imperial administration and to the
aggregation Of young army Officers. More
youngsters lose great sums at cards than
in any other capital in Europe, and the
cheating is notorious. The gambling clubs
that get closed and reappear in other prem
ises are usually marked down on the com
plant Of a family whose son has gone
bankrupt at their tables. At nearly all OF
them men and women play side by side.
and, Of course, take one another's money
with equal remorselessness Periodically
there is a crisis. Somebody cuts the light
off while his confederate scoops the stakes
on the tables. A few revolver shots fol
low, there is a rush for the street and the
police are brought in.
But the scamps in the gambling clubs
are so numerous and know so much about
each other that nothing can be lone to gel
up evidence for a prosecution. The polio,
have no authority to arrest officers OF tn,
army ard navy. If they are mixed up II
a club scandal the officer Of the briEad,
on guard duty must be sent for to disclplln,
them.
This absolute authority O. the senior Off
Ger over all military and naval men at al
times overrides club committees or an,
other social authority. And It is exercised
without conjunction.
In the main saloon OF a leading restau
rant here some years ago the late Gran,
Duke Vladimir after copious refreshmen
left his table, went toward the wife OF
civilian, patted her on tho shoulder an,
told her she was beautiful. The husban,
sprang up and pushed him sharply bacI
some yards. Diners and the walters Iooket
for a scene, but a very old man In general
uniform-al military officers whether OF
the active or reserve list wear their uni
forms at all times-got up and crossed L
the grand duke with the order in one sen
tence TO report himself at once to the mill
tary commandant's quarters.
Vladimir went without a word.