Penal Settlements in Siberia.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume II, Issue 93, 9 January 1900, Page 3

Penal Settlements in Siberia.

[ Eussia is one of ths few countries in the world that still pursues the system of transporting and attempting to oolonise her criminals. Last May, however, a decree was signed by the Eraperor arranging for the appointment of a special commission, to bo presided over by the Eussian Minister of Justice, whose duty ifc will be to inquire into the whole matter, and it is hoped and believed on the Continent that this inquiry will end in the sup. pression of the system. An authority on the subject states that in the hundred years which elapsed between 1764 and"lB64, 900,000 convicts were sent to Siberia. Even new statistics prove that each year 112,000 men and women leave Russia for Siberia, never to return. Ever since the commencement uf the system, the E^gsian Government haye made at-

tempts to improve the lot of convicts, and to found regular penal settlements. A great number of prisoners escape, and it is said that of every five sent there only one really remains, the others escape or die. Insoinev'ays the political exile is leas to be pitied than his less fortunate criminal brother, for if he is an educated and intelligent man he can often mid good employment in Siberia, and end by making the country really