Suffering of Russian Political Exiles

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 16, 1906

Suffering of Russian Political Exiles

A Russian political exile who is stationed in the district of Tobolsk, Siberia, writes thus of the sufferings of this unfortunate class of prisoners:—

The condition of the exiles is indeed horrible. The great majority of them are peasants and workmen, and the government allows them only one ruble and fifty kopeks (seventy-five cents) a month for maintenance (the nobles receive six rubles a month), or five kopeks a day (two and a half cents). In the majority of cases they have not money enough even for a room, and there is absolutely no work in prospect. From all villages where political exiles are stationed there come cries against the hunger and horrible need which reign there. There have been petitions from exiles asking to be put again into prison to avoid death from starvation.

No other animal on the face of the earth can be so cruel as man. Sin is responsible for this. By it man, made in the image of God, is transformed into a heartless demon. Such treatment as is here described is what fills the ranks of socialism and anarchy.