ON THE ROAD TO SIBERIA.

Bay of Plenty Times, 21 April 1890, Page 1

ON THE ROAD TO SIBERIA.

The "fatherly" Russian Gorernment permits the- nearest relatiTes of the exiles to accompany them to Siberia, but they bare* to submit to the same treatment as the prisoners dor- ■ ing all the long and weary, journey. Notwithstanding this long and terrible ordeal, numbers take a/Iran* - H tage of this permission, especially among the Poles j thus mothers, wires, sisters, and daughters we& in close attendance on the long train of exilds, ready and willing to undergo any suffering and fatigue, if only they ; could help to comfort their loved „ ones. All honour to those noble | souls! And truly the sacrifice they I brought was no small one! Most of . them, women of high rank and birth, " had left home and position, ease and comfort, to brave the horrors of such a transport ! Packed closely into ironbarred trucks—far from # clean—together with rough men, women, mid soldiers ; exposed to cold, huuger, and fatigue during the long and terrible march on foot lasting for more than a year, always under, strict military sur- ' mllance— all this they willingly sub« mitted to, and not a word of conplaint or regret e? er escaped thosa . brave, unselfish lips ! A four hours* I f ourney ot terrible discomfort brought the party to Wiina, whete they were all placed indiscriminately in the common prison, and kept, there during^ the Easter holidays* Bereral other transports of political prisoners haring also arriTed at the same time, the place Iras so crowded that Yon Falken and Prince M. were thrust into a cell with tome 26 ordinary criminals. XJiose daya of their captirity were too horrible "ever to be torgotten.—Gassell's Family Magazine.