The Marlborough Express. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 1908. AN EXILE FROM RUSSIA.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 139, 13 June 1908, Page 4

The Marlborough Express. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 1908. AN EXILE FROM RUSSIA.

'- ♦ ' > — The ■ sensational account in yesterday's issue, given to; a New Zealand Herald reporter oy an escapee from Siberia, will be read with mixed feelings, in wliich horror will predominate.' That such a .state of things as is there hinted at —it cannojb ,bb fully described—can be permitted to exist in a Christian, and presumably a civilised ( land, is almost incredible. But unfortunately it only corroborates all that lias hitherto been heard or re--lated of the treatment accorded to Siberian exiles. The Tsar is reported to be a man possessing the ordinary instincts of humanity, and it is astounding that such revolting methods'; as are-pursued in Siberia are possible' under } his 4 -yjule. f -/ 'Turkish atrocities arei>-nb'wor^e*than, 'the vile practices which are disclosed of Russian officials, and there' would appear to be some reason in the. opposition recently raised in England to the meeting between '*King Edward and the Russian Emperor', on the ground that such a meeting might be take,n as iirin plying that Great Britain couhten-' anced Russian methods 'oi dealing with her prisoners. Unfortunately the' Tsar is himself in the hands of the powerful and unscrupulous set who surround him. Though nominally an autocratj he has really very little autocratic power. He is but part of a machine, in which he has no- independent action. The grand dukes who-influence him are the real governors of the unhappy country, and though a feeble attempt is being made to emerge from their, thraldom, and establish a constitutional system of Government, it will take generations before unhappy Russia is really free. The sad condition of the country is a striking commentary upon the futility of Christian methods—that is, of the particular form existing in "Holy Russia." The Greek Church is certainly a gigantic failure in the direction of uplifting and regenerating mankind. Russia is steeped in superstition and ignorance, intolerance, brutality, and venality, but of real Christianity there is scarcely a spark, | notwithstanding its bishops and j priests, its churches, ceremonies, 'and Ikon worship. If ever a religious reformation were needed it is certainy in Russia. Readers of the narrative of the escapee will notice another most striking aspect of his case. He has come to this country for the shelter of. the English flag." It is, he says, "from hell into the peace of w>d. I take' off my hat: to your English flag. I go on my knees before it. I thank your country for the haven of refuge I find." Yet there are in this land people nurtured under the same flag who affect to be dissatisfied with the country, and desire more freedom than its flag guarantees them! ■ A short residence in Russia I would be the cure for all such senseless maunderings. <