New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-07
Long Awaited
Passport Arrives

In 1890, after living for four years
on the rights OF "A peasant, | finally
received passport 20 travel all over
Siberia, and on the same day | de
parted from the suffocating place 50
as TO gradually approach the boundary
Of European Russia as my term was
nearing its end Ny health was much
undermined by the severe trials ! had
undergone in solitariness. Ansmia
and strong neuralgia had tormented
me in Selcnginsk. Blu. the inherited
vigor of the organism soon returned
20 me, and the last four years OF my
life in Siberia, spent in journeying
from town 10 town, | succeeded IN
having many conversations with young
and mature people-succeeded in max
ing allies Of some of the leading cltI-
zens of Siberia. And when in Septem-
Der, 1896. | returned 10 Russia ! found
there many students of both sexes
whom | taught in Siberia the theories
and the urgency of regenerating the
old watchwords. They soon tackled
the work Of liberation, and many Of
them remain loyal to this date to our
principles.
Again | arrived In Russia In Septem-
Der. But upon my arrival | encOun-
tered new movement, which was rap
idly conquering a place for itself.
Marxism was taking hold Of, capturing,
the minds of the youth. and the old
fighters were regarded as dead forces.
But faith in the force Of personality,
faith in the healthy strength OF the
people, knowledge Of their aims and
needs lent so much firm confidence 10
my energy that, without hesitating a
moment, I began 20 do some practical
work. which had ripened in my mind as
long before as the celebrated trial, in
1878, when J declared 10 my Judges that
81 have the honor Of belonging 10 the
Russian socialistic and revolutionary
party. and consequently do not recog-
nize the authority OF the Cars courts
over me-"
Eighteen years passed after that. and
my adherence TO the party OF socialism
End revolutionism lived in me "a fresh
~ and ardently as in the days of my ar
rest and trial. Confidence that the peas
ant masses, these pillars OF the state
government, will obey the voice Of their
friends and will not be slow 20 follow
their leaders-this confidence urged me
10 hasten the consolidation Of the vari-
Gus forces likely 20 join the Social
Revolutionary party, as II has been
christened from its very beginning.
II is necessary TO bear in mind that
from Siberia ] came back TO Russia
all alone. / did not even have the
addresses Of the old comrades who re
manned in safety in the gloomy folds
of Alexander HIS reign. And II took
considerable time, care and patience
L l.. IL
journeys about Russia Melted definite
results as TO acquaintance with people
and opportunities. The readiness of
the peasants to join the party became
ever clearer. and on the fourth year Of
endeavor the party loudly proclaimed
its existence, and in the fifth wear all
the separate committees recognized one
centre. Both the increase in member
snip and growth in activity attracted
the savage attention of the Cars gov
eminent.
In 1903 the party suffered an enor-
nous wreck. Wholesale arrests and
searches robbed u Of many of its lead
ing workers. Of its best printing shops
and stores Of literature. II was nee
esssry 70 replace all that By this
time the work Of the party had devel-
Cped and grown strong abroad, thanks
TO our talented and Jealous emigrants,
VINO bent all their energies for the
publication of party organs and popu-
lar books and pamphlets.
In order 70 recall this youth TO i'm
mediate activities at home, in Russia.
went abroad for the first time. IN
May. 1908. | boarded a steamer in
Odessa and accompanied b. al eXpe-
ricnced contrabandist-intellcctual,