New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-11-20

ON HIS LONG WALKS.
He had at first welcomed the institution
of the Douma as holding out hope for the
regeneration of his country, and as a sign
that the government was about to give
ear to the demands and wishes of the
people. It soon became apparent TO him,
however, that the promise of an effective
popular branch of government was not TO
be realized in that body. and early in
1907 he came out with a political tract,
DOM in which he made a plain statement
Of his views, and. practically repudtating
his former doctrine o. non-resstance, de-
clared for war 10 the death against the
existing government. The pamphlet was
issued in Berlin, on account OF the i'm
possibility of finding a publisher for 1t in
Russia. The authorities. consistent with
their usual practice. abstained from taking
overt action against the author, but in this
instance went so far as 10 indict one OF
the counts sons for high treason for his
alleged activity in procuring the publica-
ton of the work. He was acquitted of the
charge.
Tolstoy was. however, several times
threatened with expulsion from Russia, and
was several times, according TO report.
upon the point OF being exled. He was, in
deed, expelled from Moscow in July. 1901.
and had since resided at Yasnaya POliana.
His health at that time was poor, and for a
period his life was in danger, but he re-
gained his strength and resumed work
Later he suffered a relapse. and in Feb
ruary. 1902, was reported to be dying. Once
more he rallied. and in June his recovery
was pronounced complete.
article denouncng the RussO-Japanese
War. which caused the seizure of the
''Novosti." OF St. Petersburg, which pub
lished It, and a revival OF the reports of
the governments intention to take severe
action against the author. In January,
1905. Tolstoy published an open letter to the
Emperor regarding the internal conditions
in Russia. which was printed throughout
the world, and some time later he COM
peted his drama. Behind the Scenes in
War" the production Of which was pro-
hibited in ST Petersburg. The London
Times on September l, 1905, published
seven column article by TolstOy, entitled
"A Great Iniquity," dealing with the land
question, and declaring that Russia is i1v-
ing through an important time that is des-
tined to have enormous results. The article
was largely devoted TO the theories Of the
late Henry George. and declared that the
land question had reached a state OF ripe
ness sucn as fifty years ago was reached by
the question Of serfdom-
On the occasion of ToIstoy's eightieth
birthday extensive celebrations were held,
although they were strongly disapproved
by the Russian government and were made
the subject of an appeal by the Holy
Synod TIC all believers to abstain from par
ticipation.
Only few days ago news was received
here that the Russian government had
ordered the seizure Of Three Days in
Village" Count Tolstoy's latest work. It
is a pamphlet-a short recital of what
happened in three days spent in village
near Tolstoy's estate. 1t is plain story,
unadorned by rhetoric. but it paints
terrible picture of conditions in Russia
to-day conditions due TO overtaxation IF
the wretched peasants and to nilitarisn.
Shortly after the celebration of his eighty
second birthday, in August of this year,
Count Tolstoys health caused great con-
Germ to his friends. \ dispatch from st.
Petersburg on October Is said that during
that day he had suffered several faint
ing spells and fer several hours was
unconscious, but had rallied late In the
from that day until November II, when
dispatch told of his disappearance.
The aged philosopher had left his home
few days before, accompanied by DR..
Makovetsky, his physician. In letter left
for his wife he said:
7 cannot continue longer to live a life of
retire from the world TO complete my life
in solitude.
soiourn and that you do not come to II II
il is discovered l beg forgiveness for the
grief that l may cause you.
On receiving this letter. it was reported.
the countess sought twice TO take her life.
but she was prevented by her daughter,
At first many of the counts friends
feared he had committed suicide. Others
believed he had simply retired TO a monas-
terry Various rumors we're received as 70
his whereabouts 4 dispatch on last Sat
urday night reported him found on the es-
tate of the Abrikosoffs. in the Mount Son
sky district OF Tula province. later dis
patch from Moscow located him at con-
vent in Kaluga province. He was finally
found in a state OF collapse at Astepova.
To the last Count Tolstoy maintained his
serni-ascetiC mode of life, and the undoubt-
ed sincerity of his purposes attracted gem
eral interest and attention, especially
among the disturbed and restless spirits
of young Russia, bent upon solving the
problems of the universe and naiVely IN
conscious of difficulties. His own family
steadily refused to be converted to his
views, and men of letters deeply deplored
the tendencies which had transformed
great literary genius into by no means
original or brilliant example OF the re-
forming mystic. His career. however. must
always be of deep interest as a striking
record OF the struggle Of a candid and pure
soul after the truth. and his two books
War and Peace and Anna fkarenna'
will always remain monuments of a genius
which, if untrammelled. would have added
still more to the worlds stock Of precious
imaginative literature,