The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-17
JOY FOR BANISHED
Prince to Return to Russia
After 40 Years an Exile.
Says Free Russia Will Make
Germany Republic, Too.

Brighton, Eng. March 17.-Forty
years Punishment from Russia did not
dim the joy of Prince Kropatkin in
the prospect once again of going
home" under a government which
would make all peoples equal in con-
troll.
1t was joyful interview which the
75-year-old self-professed anarchist
accorded the United Press represen-
tative here in the presence of his
equally iubilant wife and helpmate,
for 40 years the sharer in his en-
forced absence from his native Russia
which started when he cast his lot
with the working men.
II hope this means Russia will fol-
low the example of America and give
full freedom to the people," he de-
cIared. "Autocracy has now finally
come to its end after a fifty-year
struggle. y new era of progress has
opened"
This is the hnppiest day of our
lives" interjected the princess.
Perhaps" she added, with a sigh,
we will now return to Russia"
Hopes for Free Germany, Too.
81 said a new era of progress was
opened for Russia" the prince con-
tinued. "A nation united with the
army is sure to win the war. Free
Russia will help the German nation
~
Russia. freed from German pres
sure, is sure to recognize an indepen-
dent Poland-not a Poland governed
by autonomy but a really Independent
Poland.
Il believe the Russian people will
point the way for the German people,
The latter are kept fighting by a
manufactured fear of the menace of
Russian aristocracy.-'
81 wonder" interrupted the prin-
Un craT LOzFI
knew what was happening in Russia
when he made his speech Tuesday
promising greater share in government
to the German people after the war"
know the new members of the
governmental council" the prince re-
sumed. They are all right"
Born an Aristocrat.
Prince Kropatkin was born of one
Of the most aristocratic of Russia n
families and as a child was a page at
court. Every circumstance should
have combined to make him an aristo-
crat. But circumstances. instead, led
him to deep study and thought of the
plain peoples condition in Russia.
Meanwhile he Travelled extensively in
Siberia as military attache, there see
ing first-hand the horrors of the exil-
ing of political offenders. He became
a geographer, Then, in 1872, he cast
his lot definitely against the mobiles
and with the working men
! Two years later his activity marked
him for persecution from the Rus
! sian autocratic government. He was
sentenced to Imprisonment in the
same fortress of ct. Paul and ST. Peter,
which was the first building captured
! in Petrograd by the revolutionary
forces. He remained there two years,
escaping to England. There he started
his propaganda of a theoretical
anarchy
Became Noted Writer.
| He did not believe with the radical
anarchist, but was an exponent of
vigorous methods in demolition of
autocracies and establishment of the
rule of the people.
| L was vigorous prosecution of these
aims that caused his expulsion from
Switzerland subsequently and three
years Imprisonment in France. Since
1886 he has lived in England. writing
scores of books on Russias political
and economic problems and becoming
noted as a geographer-