NAWSA GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE Breshkovsky - 1916 Irkutak, Siberia April 16, 1916 To the Teachers of Westover School Middlebury, Connecticut, U. S. America Dearest Ladies: I was so happy to get the letter of Miss Lucy Pratt and that affords me to address to you some words of my profound thanks and my sincere wishes to know you and your pupils prospere and reach the end of their endeavours. In you I see happiest women, for you have the possibility to teach and influence many young hearts and heads, showing them the right way to gain the region of moral and spiritual existence, where no bad feelings find place and chance. When from their youth the people acquire a noble ideal to follow it, the become for the rests of life admirer of all what is high and beautiful. And what on the earth is more admirable as a noble and strong soul, as a nice and lovely characters? A person endowed with all the perfections of our spiritual capacities is the best donation the creator gave to his world. The sphere of love and strugle for the human progress is the best one. We must study the human nature through all its inclinations, then assert the most desirable and then work till the use of it becomes a habit, a second nature of the individual we have to forward. The practice of good habits make us cherish them; it teaches us to abhor the wicked and the ugly (in moral sence). Our mind has his preferations according to the stage of his development, according to his ideals acquaired into the yearly days. You will pardone, dear Ladies, the want of my knowledge in your reach language, which is so familiar to me when reading, and so different to use by myself. Yet I ame so bold to permit myself to write on it, and perhaps to speal as if I made chance to do it. We have many camrades studying the english with great enthusiasme, but timide as we are, (we russians) we dare not speak not being sure of the pronunciations. O, dear Ladies, what great, what divine missions you preforme devoting yourselves to the education of the youth. I wish you had forces enough to continue your task for years and years. God bless your efforts. With love, thanks and respect Your old friend Catherine Breshkovsky Irkutak, Siberia April 22, 1916 Dear and good girls, my young friends and comrades: You are good and dear because you are attentive to the needs of those who suffer; you are my friends because you wish to comfort me for the sake of sympathy you feel for the right cause I stand to. This sympathy makes us comrades. All my life I strained to serve my fellows--human beings-- for I understood that nothing in our world is so high spirited, so beautiful, as the human soul. It can be spoiled, can take a false course, a bad direction while running through the life's difficulties, but when rightly addressed, rightly shown to its very end from its childhood, our mind and feelings are apt to gain the most elevated regions of the Divine spirit. The possibility to attain such perfection presses on us the duty to make alive all our forces in trying to improve the habits, the morale, the sympathies of the young generations, giving them a noble example (model) by our own conduct, as well as by our counsels and teachings. No charge, no vocation is so needed, so beneficent for the present time, and so fruitful for the future, as a rational and moral education of children. These little beings hold in their power the future welfare of the whole humanity. We women are especially called for to perform this duty. The psychology of the youth is better known and understood by us women. Happy is the country where the civilization of mankind is not forbidden. Dear girls and friends, I thank you for your desire to make my life less burdened with mischiefs, less isolates. You can be sure that your attention and love is a great comfort which makes me happy. I desire from all my heart to see you compensated with a future of clear conscience and strong noble principles. I am delighted to have young friends into the free America, where everyone has the right to exercise the best capacities the nature gave us. With love and thanks, your old friend, Catherine Breshkovsky You will forgive me the many faults of my English. Minusinsk July 24, 1916 The beautiful albam of your excellent school is befor me, dearest inhabitants of Westover. and since I have it I wrote you many times letters to tell you how happy I am to have such nice and sincere friends as I found in your blessed family. Catherine Breshkovsky POST OFFICE MIDDLEBURY EXPRESS CONNECTICUT R.R. STATION WATERBURY TELEGRAMS CONNECTICUT TELEPHONE. WESTOVER SCHOOL MIDDLEBURY, CONNECTICUT MISS MARY R. HILLARD, PRINCIPAL Dear Miss Lucy Pratt! Be so good to read what follows to the young ladies, your pupils: Dear and good girls! My young friends and comrades! You are good and dear because you are attentive to the needs of those who suffer; you are my friends because you wish to comfort me not only for the sake of the my peculairly heavy lot, but for the sake of sympathy you feel for the right cause I stand to. This sympathy makes me com- rades. All my life I strained to serve my fellows -- human beings -- for I understood that nothing in our world is so high spirited, so beautiful -- as the human soul. It can be spoiled, can take a false course, a bad direction while running through the life's difficulties, but when rightly addressed, rightly shown to its very end from its childhood--our mind and feelings are apt to gain the most elevated regions of the Divine spirit. The possibility to attain such perfection press on us the duty, make alive all our forces in trying to improve the habits, the moeurses and morale sympathies of the young generations, giving them a noble example (model) by our own conduct, as well as by our conseils and teachings. No charge, no vocation is so needed, so beneficiant for the present time, and so fruitful for the future, as a rational and moral education of children. This little beings hold in their power the future welfare of the whole humanity. We women are especially called for to perform this duty. The psychology of the youth is better known and understood by us women. Happy is the country where the civilizations of mankind is not forbidden. Dear girls and friends, I thank you for your desire to make my life less burdened with mischiefs, less isolated. You can be sure that your attention and love is a great comfort which makes me happy. I desire from all my heart to see you compensated with a future of clear conscience and strong and noble principles. Your support reached me already and what to the superbe "couverture" you sent me--it is waiting for better times to be mailed from Switzerland to Russia. One more -- I am delighted to have young friends in the free America, where everyone has the right to exercise the best capacities the nature gave us. With love and thanks your old friend, Catherine Breshkovsky. 9/22 April 1916, Irkytsk You will forgive me the many faults of my english. I wish you would under- understand the meaning of what I say, and if you find it difficult thanks to my poor language, pray do address yourselves to my dear and great friend Miss Alice S. Blackwell, your eminent american woman, whose acquaintance and friendship makes me proud and happy. She knows the very bottom of my soul and can explain every word of my poor expressions. Always with you Catherine Breshkovsky April 1916 HSD June 24 1916. Minussinsk July 7 Dearest friend, always amiable towards me, Mr. Lewis Herreshoff! Your dear letter found me in Minussinsk, my new place of exile, and I was so pleased with all you expressed there that I read it many times over and over. But, for my great offence, some lines of your writing were destroyed by the censor's ink & couldn't be read. The lost lines concern the Westover School, and the words you said in behalf of my friend in Switzerland: that means the places where you take care of my person. I must say to you, dear friend, that my living in Minousinsk is much more suitable to me. I can walk as long as I wish, and breathe the excellent air of the steppes which environ the little town. My health has gained already a great deal of forces and strength, I have become much younger than I was in Irkutsk, when immured day & night in my apartment. Now that I am so well [main]sustained materially by all my friends, the life would be very liberal, in comparison with the past, if it was not for the heavy atmosphere caused by the terrible losses the people are experiencing everywhere. I do not think, dear Mr. Herreshoff, that there is a nationality quite innocent in the horrors we witness to. Yet I confess 2 that the conduct of the German people I regard as absurd, even unpardonable. From my childhood I learned to disgust the disdain and roughness which always accompanied their behavior towards our Russian people, whom they regard as an inferior race, stupid and worthless. Our lords (the rich proprietors) very often engaged German agronomes as managers of their estates, and where such managers were, our peasants hated them for their systematic persecutions and roughness. The punishments were terrible, no mercy, no indulgence: there were very hard labors. I recognize that Germans are very apt to every sort of manufacture, that they have energy & perseverance; but I never saw them human or sympathize with another people. Very selfish, and cruel towards others. The English people & the Americans are proud too, they are conscious of the dignity of their race; but to my great joy and relief they always recognized the good sides of the nature of our people for instance. I read many books written by some intelligent travellers & military agents who visited Russia, also Siberia, and made acquaintance with the habits & the character of our peasants & soldiers. Every time I was pleased to see the impartiality the authors brought to the description of their experiences. Now, too, when reading 3 the opinions of English papers on the bravery and honesty of the Russian army (soldiers). I am sure they say what they mean, for the same opinions they expressed when witnessing our war with the Turks in 1877. I do not wish the destruction of the German people, not at all, but I wish with all my heart to see them after this criminal war, humanized and respectful towards every other nation, white or black or yellow. The intelligence of our mind, our soul, means much more than that of our skill in manufacturing and our outward culture; this last can be got with time and endeavor, but the religious tendencies are a donation of rare and happy chance. We have to develop them & not be ashamed of it. We shall always feel our God in our breast - a God of love & righteousness. It will give us forces to fight and to gain the battle. I am not in the least a chauvinist, I esteem the rights of every nationality, I wish a full liberty for every people. Yet I have a large family of my compatriots that has its rights too, its own history and modes of life, its own philosophy & faith; and as long as my people will develop [his] their capacities as they think best, - they must be left alone and have time to use their innate energy & their genius. Certainly on condition of not meddling in the matters & affairs of others. When ripe enough, it will make him able to live a common life 4 with his neighbors - with all the world over. Perhaps the time is not so remote as we might think it. With a great deal of love & esteem, your thankful friend, Catherine Breshkovsky. Minousinsk, 7 July, 1916. (On same sheet of paper). Alice, my beloved daughter, my friend, my love. I am better, and would be glad to enjoy such health as all these months, for the rest of my life. (A gap). It was written long ago, and it will be the third letter I send you, my darling, being happy to say to you, my health goes from good to better. Really my nature is like that of a wild man: steppes, forests, air, river, sky....is the region where I become young & strong. Without space, I feel like a bird in a cage. How long this my delight will endure, who knows? but for today it is a great release (?). The excellent letter of Mr. Lewis Herreshoff which I got two weeks ago was so cruelly deformed by the censor's zeal that the address on it disappeared and I am obliged to get you to send the letter after you have read it and made it lisible. The last time you let me hear from you was a card of May 13, where you mention your journey half across the continent. I hope you will relate it in the Woman's Journal: if not, write me what it was for. What tells the letter of our dear Arthur? I kiss 5 him and would be happy to see him once more. About me you are anxious because my many letters do not reach you as well as our Helena whom I answered every time I got her message. Westover School also would have half a dozen of my responses and thanks if they reached the noble establishment. When children our family had a German girl into the house to make us speak her language. Till now I remember her rough voice & cold behavior. Her manners made us, children, avoid her society, and the progress was slow. Certainly [their] there must be good souls also, but we, Russians rather suffered from German civilization. Invite another feeling towards the French people. There are some touches some pleas, that unite both the races, all different as they are. We are too open, perhaps too sentimental, to please the Saxon race, but it does not prevent her (the Saxon race) from acknowledging those good sides or our nature which make the foundation of our character. Therefore we can always be good friends. Many times the English saw our soldiers with emphasis fight the enemy like young lions, and never fail if late alone to do their best. Give me too the address of Mr. Robinson, who is a very nice sympathizer with me. I never wrote him after I did it over, but his chivalry is above all proofs. I am proud, not of myself, only of the company I am of. Your devoted and satisfied Catherine Card to Miss Dudley, rec'd about Nov. 27, 1916 [De?] Your postcard, dearest Helena, was the first bird directed to Minoussinsk. I was so glad, feeling that you did not lose me, and will find me on the map of large Siberia. I am satisfied with my new position, and my health has gained [as] much thanks to the better climate. So far friendly surroundings, you are right in supposing I shall find them everywhere in this country. Yesterday I got Alice's letter of Aug. 5. Her festival rejoiced me & Egor heartily, so beautiful & happy. [[Left Page]] -3- and the [priestav] [*police captain*] woke me up to assure himslef. It must be supposed that such a manner of persecution has proved too monotonous, so recently I had to stand the application of another method, a very old one, [but for the first time during the new year (1916) applied to me. It is understood that] the policemen have been charged with the duty, not only [to] [*of*] "guarding me", but [to] [*of*] observing in the yard everything which can be caught by their detecting eye. Every morning at nine o'clock, gendarmes come into the yard, look ath theie entries in the book and after talking for a while go away. What they talk about, I do not know, because I see the whole proceeding only through the window. I understand that in reality they can "report" nothing but trifles, because the life of the old people who are ever ailing never runs beyond the limits of the ordinary, but the zeal on the part of those who do the questioning and the answering is being encouraged, it isgrowing. [And suddenly an excellent occasion for a report presents itself:] A soldier is [*in the habit of*] visiting my landlord's cook. [If out of "tape worms" and "seeds" they made out a case of two years surveillance, then with the presence of a soldier something bigger can be done. And so it was.] A few day ago three of us were sitting in the evening, waiting for [[/Left Page]] [[Right Page]] -4- the samovar, but it did not come. It was already ten o'clo o'clock, half past ten, and the samovar did not arrive. The kitchen here is across the hall, and our landlady went to find out what prevented us from having tea. The kitchen proved to be full of people:policemen and gendarme were searching the kitchen,and right there was the cook and the unfortunate soldier. That was a search.They had not even thought of notifying the landlord. [At the twelfth hour] the cook [and the gendarme came into the room and said that she] was wanted at the [gendarme] [*police*] office....There she was questioned,reports were made out and all the cook's love correspondence was retained, to examine into its meaning. [She came back with the understanding that she was to come a again for another examination on the next day,after which she returned to her kitchen.......How this will end,I do not know, but the gendarmes do not conceal that all that is being done because of Breshkovsky's stay at the house. It so happened that,] owing to my indisposition and [the] [*my*] dislike for kitchen odors, I have not been in the kitchen since my arrival, and have not seen the soldier a single time. The policemen who [*are*] always pee[*ping*] in [*at*] the windows, particularly the cook's, know, of course, that I would neither see her guests nor speak with them, but [should the womans] [*if I had been*] -5- that is, should he have noticed me in the kitchen, and at the same time of the soldier's visit, too, what would have come out of it? The policemen are obliged to bring information, even if they have to suck it out of their thumbs. The question is, what is impossible to expect under such conditions? The "soldier" plot was not successful, something else can be connected; the cook's correspondence proved invulnerable, but at some other time proofs stronger than "soldier's letters" can be found at the cook's or in the yard. Now it will be clear to you why the most friendly and intimate correspondence, most official addresses are made pretexts for investig- ations, questioning when they have some reference to me. And I mercilessly destroy everything, weeping with my heart, cursing the conditions. But do all my letters reach their destinations? Do I receive all? These days I feel better. My health is stronger, soon the doctors will permit me to go out in the fresh air, because the frost from 35 dropped to 15 and in the daytime the sun shines brightly.. But when you think that the walk, the going to the bath house and the doctors, that all is connected with a police convoy, with breaking -6- into strange houses, with the inspection of "entrances" and "exits", and will recall all the convict atmosphere of the prison regime, you get so disgusted that you do not go out, so as not to be subjected to ridicule. I am also obliged to notify the priest of my departure from the house. This is called "free exile". All the orders re- garding me are for some reason communicated to me only orally by the priest of the precinct in which I reside. About leaving me in Irkutsk, not even an oral announce- ment was made. They have completely turned me into a soul- less being, deprived of all human rights .Summer will come and they won't let me leave the dusty, sultry, malodor- ous city, or they will so condition the leave of absence that it will be just like a prison, even worse. This siege must be endured also by my benefactors who are shelter- ing me. In a separate apartment they would have strangled me altogether. And it is terribly dear to live now alone, and a sick one at that................................................................... ................................................................................................................ (deleted by censor) E. Breshkovskaya. HS Dudley From La [K??est?]? Spring 1916? See ? mark July 24, 1916 To Lewis Herreshaff 24 July 1916. Minousinsk, Siberia for Catherine Breshkovsky Dearest friend always amiable towards me Mister Lewis Herreshaff! Your dear letter found me in Minousinsk, the new place of my exile, and I was so pleased with all you expressed there, that I read it many times over and over. But for my great offense some lines of your writing were destroid by the censor's ink and couldn't be read. The forlorn ligns does concern the Westower school and the wards you said on behalf of my friend in Suisse; that means the places where you take care of my person. I must say to you, dear friend, that my living in Minousinsk is much more suitable to me. I can walk as long as I wish and breath the excellent air of the steps which environes the little town. My health gained already a great deal of forces and strength, I became much younger as I was in Irkutsk, when murred day and night in my appartment. Now that I am so well sustained materially by all my friends, the life would be a very liberale, in comparison with the past if not the heavy [atmosphere caused by the terrible losses the peoples are experienced everywhere.] I do not think [, dear Mr. Herreshoff, that] there is [a] any nationality quite innocent [into] in the horrors we are witnessing [to]. Yet I regard [I confess that] the conduct of the Germans [people] as an absurd, even unpardonable. From my childhood I disliked [I learned to disgust] the disdain and roughness which [always] [accompanied] characterized their behavior towards our Russian people, whom they regard as an inferior race, [stupid and worthless]. Our lords (the rich proprietors) [very] often engaged german agronomes as managers of their estates, and [where such managers were] our peasants hated [them] those managers for their systematic persecutions and roughness. The punishments were terrible, no mercy, no indulgence; [there were] very hard labors. I recognize that the Germans are [very apt to] skillful in every sort of manufacture, that they have energy and perseverance. [poor] (In another letter she says: When we were children my parents employed a German girl to teach us the language. I remember her harsh voice and cold manners. Of course there are good souls among the Germans, [too] also; but Russia has rather suffered from the German civilization). The English [people] and [the] Americans are proud too, [they are] conscious of the dignity of their race; but [for] to my great joy [and releaf] they have always recognized the good sides [of the nature] of our people[, for instance.] I have read many books [written] by [some] intelligent travelers in Russia and [militare agents who visited russia, also Siberia and made acquaintance with the habits and the character of our peasants and soldiers. Every time] I was always pleased [to see] with the authors' [the] impartiality [the authors imparted in the discription of their experiences]. Now too, when reading the opinions of the English papers on [*the*] bravery and honesty of [*the*] russian [army] soldiers, I am sure [*they mean what*] they say, [what they mean] for they expressed the same opinions when witnessing our war with the [turch] [*Turks*] in 1877. I do not [wish] [*desire*] the destruction of the german people, not at all; but I wish [*with*] [from] all my heart to see [him] [*them*], after this criminal war, humanized, and respectful[l] towards every other nation, white or black[,] or yellow. The intelligence[s] of our mind, our soul, [does mean] [*is*] much more [*important than [our]*] [as that of] our skill in manufacturing and our outward culture; this last can be [get] [*acquired*] with time and endeavour, [yet] [*but*] the religious tendencies are a donation of rare and happy chance. [*We have to develop them and not to be ashamed of it. We shall always feel our God in our breast - [A] God of love and righteousness. [*That*] [It] will give us [*strength*] [forces] to fight and to [gain] [*win*] the battle. I am not in the least a chauvinist. I [estime] [*respect*] the rights of every nationality. I [wish a] [*desire*] full liberty for every people. Yet I have a large family of my compatriots that [has her] [*has its*] rights too, [her] [*its*] own history and modes of life, [her] [*its*] own philosophy and faith; and as long as my people [will] [*wish to*] develop [his] [*their*] capacities as [he ] [*they*] think[s] [it better, he] [*best they*] they must be left alone and have time to use [his inneto] [*their innate*] energy and [his] geni[o]us. [Certainly] On [the] condition, [*of course,*] [*that they shall not not*] [to] meddle[lle] [*with*] [into] the [matters and] affairs of others. When ripe enough, it will make [*them*] [him] able to live a common life with [his] [*their*] neighbours, with all the world [over]. Perhaps the time is not so remote as we might think. [With a great deal of love and estime your thankful friend Catherine Breshkovsky] July 24. 1916, Herrshoff. Return to H. S. Dudley. Letter received from Mme Breskovskayie by Miss H. S. Dudley August 2, 1916. Siberia Krasnviarsk Minusinsk Cat. Breskovskayie. (or how do you wish.) 6/19 Juny 1916? My friend, my beloved girl Helena: Your letter of April 26 from Wilmington Delaware, reached me at Minusinsk, where I live for three weeks feeling very well, going into fresh air, admiring the sky, mountains, prairies and trees. After a long seclusion it is delight for one to have the opportunity to breathe the wind and to contemplate the profound azure. The little town is situated not so far from the frontier of China Empire (some hundred miles): the climate here is not so rud as in Yakutsk, even as in Irkutsk. Here the people have every summer melonens and different delicate legumes but not yet fruits, though endeavours are made to acclimatisize apples and prunes and other frurts trees. The nature here is not without defects too. The last night for instance we have had a frost which destroyed the young plants, and all poor people will suffer great losses. Now I will you what did I receive from the American friends as to magazines and letters: "National Geographie" two numbers, March and April "Atlantic" 6 number, till May: Woman Gournal regualally every week; The Public also: the Survey too; a beauitful edition "House on Henry Street," several illustrated papers and albums, many liflets from several religious societies. Many tokens of love from Westover school, letters and albums, a beautiful couveture and other tokens. I answered the letters of Miss Hillard and her compagnion, today I got one Miss Roth Coshman, with very nice cards. All the senders, all the writers of all these correspondence, I thank, I wish them to feel as happy as I feel myself when thinking of all the love and attention they give me, and fill my old years with cheer and tenderness. I never thought to deserve such affection. Mr. Robinson is so good as to send me infaillibly every week or so a card with his sympathy and best wishes, always caring for the welfare of Russia, it so noble from his part. He even requests other good people to cheer me by their amiable addresses, so that I got a letter from Mrs Bertha D'Arcy, Bryantville Mass., with a Easter card from another persone. I mention all this on two ends: first I wish let to know how happy I am to get so much attention and second to let know that the endeavour to make me comfortable are not lost and I profit very much by recieving all these reaches. (richesses) Copy of letter from Catherine Breshkovsky to Ernest Poole. 20 October 1916 Minussinsk, Krassiarsk, 2 November. Siberia My very dear friend Ernest Pool: It was such joyful surprise to me your dear letter with your and your little son's portraits that I could not but mention this good event to my most beloved correspondents; I put you both on my table quite near to my eyes Yesterday only, before I got yours, I sent my portrait in four examplares; one for you, another for Arthur Bullard--my very de dear son, that nothing will separate from my heart-- one for little June B. Mussey, the little son of my memorable sister Isabel Barrows, who will be never dead for me-- and the fourth for Alice, this pride of our country, as I understand her meaning, her significance among the other mental forces of your intellectual world. She created little by little a large way which runs straight to the end that will enable us to choose the best issues we are apt to. But as I sent her a month ago some of these same photo I wiss wish she gave one to Helena Dudley for Euphemia and another to Mr. Herreshoff, if she got them. From Irkutsk this spring, I sent her a big physionomie of mine in four examplares too, destined for the three settlements-- Hull House, Denison House, the house on Henry Street in New York where lives my dear friend Lillian, whom I remember as a beautiful girl, full of energy and selfbelieving, and one for Alice. But I never heard they were got, these portraits. My dear boy! I suppose a great change for the best in your country since I saw it eleven years ago. All the right ideas and social reforms were into its beginning, they belonged to very few groups and heads. But now they are so largely spread 2. over and over that they do influence even other countries. For instance, in 1905 there was not one paper lieke, ["the Call"] "The New York Call", which I get now. I remember that differenet editors reasoned the absence of such one by the want of readers. They were obliged to insert many silly articles, and novels only to have the opportunity to say some words of sense to the leaders. And now such excellent - paper as N.Y.C. is read by a number of people asking no diversion. I am sure that many towns have editions like that. -- The large intervention of women into the prominent questions of the State life does stimulate the progress of the moral and physical culture in tour country, as it did in other cases. But what is more essential is the activity of your intelligent people,-- it is their efforts to establish connections with the people over the world. The old world needs especially of new impulses and must be remembered of many questions and systems already acquiesced (déja acceptés) by the forward minds, but not yet put to practice. All the visits made by the delegates of several congresses and associations are of great use in general, and you mustn't be tired to reiterate them as often as possible. Impossible to be understood at once, the human heads are so hard and rough that they ought to be knocked many and many times before they do imbibe some good idea or understand some right issue. I am glad that I am not alone to read the excellent magazines and papers I get from America. It is so useful and agreeable to be acquainted with what does think, what decide the human mind. It makes me glad to be in state to satisfy the 3. the people that have no other opportunity to be instructed of what the world does. Certainly, dear Ernest, I wish to read your writings, I will wait of them if you[r] please. I would be glad to have the last novel of Arthur Bullard, (I write to him separately) whose fine psychology is parent to that of some Russian writers. If you have more of his portraits-- send me one I pray you sincerely. I will write him myself, answer his letter written when he visited your home which is his delight. What to your wife, I love her and would have her portrait too. For many reasons we are friends with her, first she is dear to me as a woman; being I honor before all; second as your wife and mother of children that will become good citizens I am sure, third, -thanks to her amiability that makes Arthur happy with your family, that he cherished so dearly. So I kiss her heartily sending my blessings on the innocent heads of all her children. Have you a daughter? Very, very happy to have such excellent friends as America gave me for the end of my seriously spent life, embellished by the love of best people of my and your countries. --Yesterday I got a letter from Mr. Herreshoff which cheered me so much! What an excellent man, always brave and awake, sympathizer with the most interesting questions the history creates anew and anew. I wonder how long the humanity will suffer all the wrongs this same history is crowding over its heads?! The torturings our people experience are over all descriptions. Only the hope of better future gives forces to support them. I am healthy and strong enough, quite satisfied with the comfort I enjoy now. I feel quiet for myself knowing that my children will never forget their grandmother that loves them so sincerely. Catherine Breshkovsky Copy of letter from Catherine Breshkovsky to Ernest Poole. 20 October 1916 Minussinsk, Krassiarsk, 2 November. Siberia. My very dear friend Ernest Pool! It was such a joyful surprise to me your dear letter with your and your little son's portraits that I could not but mention this good event to my most beloved correspondents; I put you both on my table quite near to my eyes Yesterday only, before I got yours, I sent my portrait in four examplares; one for you, another for Arthur Bullard-- my very [de] dear son, that nothing will separate from my heart-- one for little June B. Mussey, the little son of my memorable sister Isabel Barrows, who will never be dead for me-- and the fourth for Alice, this pride of our country, as I understand her meaning, her significance among the other mental forces of your intellectual world. She created little by little a large way which run straight to the end that will enable us tot choose the best issues we are apt to. But as I sent her a month ago some of these same photo I [wiss] wish she gave one to Helena Dudley for Euphemia, and another to Mr. Herreshoff, if she got them. From Irkutsk this spring, I send her a big physionomie of mine in four examplares too, destined for the three settlements-- Hull House, Denison House, the house on Henry Street in New York where lives my dear friend Lillian, whom I remember as a beautiful girl, full of energy and selfbelieving, and one for Alice. But I never heard they were got, these portraits. My dear boy! I suppose a great change for the best in your country since I saw it eleven years ago. All the right ideas and social reforms were into its beginning, they belonged to very few groups and heads. But now they are so largely spread 2. over and over that they do influence even other countries. For instance, in 1905 there was not one paper like, [xxxxxxxxxxx crossed out] "The New York Call", which I get now. I remember that differ- ent editors reasoned the absence of such one by the want of readers. They were obliged to insert many silly articles, and novels only to have the opportunity to say some words of sense to the readers. And now such excellent paper as N.Y.C is read by a number of people asking no diversion. I am sure that many towns have editions like that. -- The large intervention of women into the prominent questions of the State life does stimulate the progress of the moral and physical culture in your country, as it did in other cases. But what is more essential is the activity of your intelligent people, -- it is their efforts to establish connections with the people over the word. The old world needs especially of new impulses and must be remembered of many questions and systems already acquiesced (déja acceptés) by the forward minds, but not yet put to practice. All the visits made by the delegates of several congresses and as- associations are of great use in general, and you mustn't be tired to reiterate them as often as possible. Impossible to be understood at once, the human heads are so hard and rough that they ought to be knocked many and many times before they do imbibe some good idea or understand some right issue. I am glad that I am not alone to read the excellent magazines and papers I get from America. It is so useful and agreeable to be acquainted with what does think, what decide the human mind. It makes me glad to be in state to satisfy the 3. the people that have no other opportunity to be instructed of what the world does. Certainly, dearErnest, I wish to read your writings, I will wait of them if you[r] please. I would be glad to have the last novel of Arthur Bullard, (I write him separately) whose fine psychology is parent to that of some Russian writers. If you have more of his portraits-- send me one I pray you sincerely. I will write him myself, answer his letter written when he visited your home which is his delight. What to your wife, I love her and would have her portrait too. For many reasons we are friends with her, first she is dear to me as a woman; being I honor before all; second as your wife and mother of children that will become good citizens, I am sure, third,- thanks to her amiability that makes Arthur happy with your family, that he cherished so dearly. So I kiss her heartily sending my blessings on the innocent heads of all her children. Have you a daughter? Very, very happy to have such excellent friends as America gave me for the end of my seriously spent life, embellished by the love of best people of my and your countries. -- Yesterday I got a letter from Mr. Herreshoff which cheered me so much! What an excellent man, always brave and awake, sympathizer with the most interesting questions the history creates anew and anew. I wonder how long the humanity will suffer all the wrongs this same history is crowding over its heads?! The torturings our people experience are over all descriptions. Only the hope of better future gives forces to support them. I am healthy and strong enough, quite satisfied with the comfort I enjoy now. I feel quiet for myself knowing that my children will never forget their grandmother that loves them so sincerely. Catherine Birchkovsky]. Gauelation of Lules 19/6 ......(deleted by censor) knowing well the conditions in which I live, I destroy, not only the addresses, but the very letters form rel- atives and friends, every time lamenting these sacrifices. Long experience has taught me to expect unfortunate occurrences there where there really is no reason for them whatever. Once I wrote to an old woman friend of mind asking her to get pumpkin seeds which doctors say are a good remedy for tape-worms, which abound on the shores of the Lena and the Baikal. Owing to the correspondence with me, a search was made at the old woman's and the gendarmes decided that the word "tape-worms" meant "gendarmes" and "pumpkin seeds," "explosive substances." The old woman was sentenced to administrative exile in the Narim region, and only after long and urgent solicitations and explanations, which reached as far as Petrograd, the "penalty" was reduced to two years' police surveillance which has recently expired. This is not an anecdote, my friend, it is actuality attest by documents -2- and reports to various government offices in the provinces and in the capital. Of course, I stopped corresponding with the old woman who was scared by so terrible and unexpected occurences. There have been many such case, and I do not write first to anybody, do not become acquanited with anybody, knowing beforehand that my addressing myself to them will do people no good. My whole present life, much like imprisonment, is a conclusive proof of how seriously the gendarmes and the police are aiming to compromise me and those coming in contact with me. It is not enough that a number of policemen and gendarmes are on guard, day and night, in the year of the house where I live, examining and frightening with their electric lamp all who are coming and going in the evening (in the city people are free only in the evening— all are working), but in addition the priestav(police captain) breaks into the house at any time of day and night, to convince himself that I am here. Neither my illness nor the presence of doctors and nurses prevented the priestav from "verifying" me in bed. - 3 - Once I said to him: you won't let one die in peace, but that did not stop him from breaking into the house at three o'clock at night when the policemen had reported that at two o'clock a woman had left this house for the maternity hospital. The policemen know both the young woman and her escort, looked them over by the light of their lanterns, were told who was going and where, nevertheless they reported and the priestav woke me up, to assure himself. It must be supposed that such a manner of persecution has proved too monotonous, so recently I had to stand the application of another method, a very old one, but for the first time during the new year (1916) applied to me. It is understood that the policeman have been charged with duty, not only to “guard”me, but to observe in yard everything which can be caught by their detecting eye. Every morning at about nine o’clock, gendarmes come into the yard, look at their entries in the book and after talking for a while go away. What they talking about, I do not know, because I see the whole proceeding only through the window. I understand that in reality they can “report” nothing - 4 - but trifles, because the life of old people who are ever ailing never runs beyond the limits of the ordinary, but the zeal on the part of those who do the questioning and the answering is being encouraged, it is growing. And suddenly an excellent occasion for a report presents itself: a soldier is visiting my landlord’s cook. If out of “tape-worms” and “seeds” they made out a case of two years’ surveillance, then with the presence of a soldier something bigger can be done. And so it was. A few days ago three of us were sitting in the evening, waiting for the samovar, but did not come. It was already ten o’clock, half-past ten, and the samovar did not arrive. The kitchen here is across the hall, and our landlady went to find out what prevented us from having tea. The kitchen proved to be full of people: policemen and gendarmes were searching the kitchen, and right there was the cook and the unfortunate soldier. That was a search. They had not even thought of notifying the landlord. At the twelfth hour the cook with a gendarme came into the room and said that she was wanted at the gendarme office . . . . There she was -5- questioned, reports were made out and all the cooks love correspondence was retained, to examine into its meaning. She came back with the understand- ing that she was to come again for another ex- amination on the next day, after which she return- ed to her kitchen....How this will end, I do not know, but the gendarmes do not know, but the gendarmes do not conceal that all that is being done because of Breahkovsky's stay at the house. It so happened that owing to my indisposition and dislike for kitchen odors I have not been in the kitchen since my arrival and have not seen the soldier a single time. The policemen who always peep in the window, particularly the cook's know, of course, that I could neither see her guests nor speak with them, but should he have noticed me in the kitchen, and at the time of the soldier's visit, too, what would have come out of it? The policemen are obliged to bring inform- nation, even if they have to suck it out of their thumbs. The question is, what is impossible to expect under such condition? The "soldier" plot was not successful, something else can be connected; the cook's correspondence proved invulnerable, but at some other time proofs stronger than "soldier letters" can be found at the cook's or in the yard. Now it will be clear to you why the most friendly and intimate correspondence, most official ad- dresses are made pretexts for investigation, questioning, when they have some reference to me. And I mercilessly destroy everything, weeping with my heart, cursing the condition. But do all my letters reach their destination? Do I receive all? These days I feel better. My health is stronger, soon the doctors will permit me to go out in the fresh air, because the frost from 35 de- grees dropped to 15 degrees and in the daytime the sun shines brightly. But when you think that the walk, the going to the bath-house and to the doctors, that all is connected with a police con voy, with breaking into strange houses, with the -6- inspection of "entrances" and "exits" and will re- call all the convict atmosphere of the prison regime, you get so disgusted that you do not go out, so as not to be subjected to ridicule. I am also obliged to notify the priestav of my de- parture from the house. This is called "free exile." All the orders regarding me are for some reason communicated to me only crally by the priestav of the precinct in which I reside. About leaving me in Irkutsk, not even an oral announce- ment was made. They have completely turned me into a soulless being, deprived of all human rights. Summer will come, and they won't let me leave the dusty, sultry, malodorous city, or they will so condition the leave of absence that it will be just like a prison, even worse. This siege must be endured also by my benefactors who are sheltering me. In a separate apartment they would have strangled me altogether. And it is terribly dear to live now alone, and a sick one at that........................................ (deleted by censor) E. Breshkovskaya. [*1916*] Copy of letter from Madame Breshkovsky to Miss Helena Dudley, dated 5/14 November. My beloved friend Helena! I have to answer your many cards and letters, but I will not find words and sayings to express my feelings of love and gratitude. I wonder often where from comes such devotion and prizing of my timide person by a set of women and men always in action, always sacrificing themselves to the welfare of their country, always ready to make all their possible to improve the welfare of other nations and countries. The pupil is an orphan too. Her father was a comrade. She visits the college, is fifteen years old and promises to be a reasonable girl. She takes air when going and returning from college which is wide (I forgot how to write it) one mile and a half. Sometimes she visits her companions, good girls too. The husbands are very good people, never making fuss or quarrel. We have a servant too that is strong and active. Nobody comes to annoy us. The owner of the house is away and I meeted (rented) it for a year. You can assure our good friend Mr. Herreshoff that I feel so comfortable as never since I am in Siberia; even ashamed of the full comfort I enjoy now. The children that visit me are always polite and delicate, never rough with one another, in my presence. They design and print and admire the pictures I get from you and others. Some of them read and write in French, German, but not one yet in English; for this language is not yet practiced, has no teachers. Yesterday came your letter of Oct.3d. I was gladly surprised hearing you are of the same [opinion] meaning that Mr. Wilson is the most desirable candidate. I hope he is already elected, as the telegram announced it. I am sure he will endorse the woman cause too. As [yo] to the money you seek of, and as to the order our dear Euphymia records, none of them were in the envelope and I never heard of them. Also the warm clothes of last year did disappear forever. Better to send all through Egore or somebody else who knows the habits and the disorders of the communications of the country. Many good things forlorn (lost) [in it] thanks to it. It takes three or four days to reach Minousinsk from Vrasnoiarsk; in[s] summer with steamer, on the river Enisey, in winter with horses, on a very bad chemin. I fear it would be a hard experience to our good friend. I have had many guests this summer and we spent well our time, but the Russians are wont to every discomfort, bad routes, and all sorts of disgust. Certainly her visit would be a festival for me! I kiss her hands for the desire to do this sacrifice. Never send money or something of valeur in a simple letter. It must be registered or insured. Here in Minousinsk is a section of Russian-Asiatique Bank, so that the checks or money can be transferred directly there, - for me. Copy of postcard to Miss Dudley, dated 16/29 Nov.1916.Minousinsk,Sib. Yesterday came a sum of 5 roubles and 85 kopecs, sent by Miss Dudley. I guess this is the money you spoke of in your last letter, my very dear Helena, and Euphymia too. I thought the order was [include] included in the envelope and even made a reproach to the chief of post-bureau. Now I am satisfied, for it is not only a pity to lose good things, but it is irritating too. I will make a little Christmas- tree [(un arbor de Noel] (un arbre de Noel) for the orphans I take care of, and this money of the good Miss that gave it, will take part in our festival. The children already are impatient to enjoy the beautiful spectacle of a pine decorated from top to [toe] toe with miscellaneous colored and sweet things. - I am happy too to hear that my endeavors to progress the cultivation of several legumes on the shores of the river Lena had an excellent success this year, and the people gained enough to promote the affair for the coming year.- But the papers do not bring good news. What to do, it is an universal mischief. With love and gratitude Catherine. [*Breshkovsky*] Ce 5/18 Novembre 1914. Je suis content, je suis heureuse et je suis ettomíee de ne vous voir jamais lasse,ma fille bien aimée, de m'aimer, de veiller sure man bien-être, de vue coniblez de votre attention quotidienne! Soyez à jamais liériste, mon Alice, soyez à votre tour aussi heureuse que je le suis. Hier c'étain une bien bonne journée, elle m'apporta deus de vos lettres (tout 27 et Sept. 4), qui me transportèrent tout près de vous et me firent prendre port vous votre entourage, avec touts ces détails. La petite Alisan est certainement charmante; elle ne manquera pas de faire la joie de sa grand mére Alice et de son aienille Catherine. Certe, je me sauvons de la visite de les parend chez vous. Les cartes de notre cher ami M. Robinson arrivant en niênie temps que vos lettres et la sympathie qu'il nous témoigne, á vous autre riesses, de la part des américains est d'un grand comfort, par un temps qu'il fait. Aussi ai je en le joli châlet de notre Héléna, cette soeur, dévouée au bonheur de l'humanité, dont je baise des deux mains. Le superbe Magazin "Travel" qui nee procure un plaiser indéfinissable, ne m'a était trans mis qu'en sept numéros, les autres 5 sont perdus en passant les nombreux étapes qui précédent tous ce qui m'est désigné. Quel dommage! Irreparable ici. Que faire? Alice, votre fromçein va de ruineux en ruineux, les expression, tout charmantes, elles rue fout voir la réalité Aussi vous dis-je" ne un'envoyez que des lectures nous illustrees (richement) autount que je suis souvuise au regime actuel; attendez plutot ma liberation (si elle a hieu un jouer) pour vas envois, excepter vos cheres lettres qui ne parviennenent de temps en temps. Oui, avant la guerre je les avais presque chaque semaine; mais depuis j'en ai un trois, en tout, et plusieurs cartes nou ecrites, que j'ae cepte avec reconnaissance aussi, vu qu'elles fair grand effets chez les enfants, filles et fils de nues amies- Je m'abshiens d'ecrir a June craignant d'agir sur l'imaginatias d'un si jeune esprit dout la patrie u'offre rieu d'aussi extradoinnaire!!! Mais je pense a lui toutes les fais que je souge a ma souer divine, a notre Isabel, qui restera toujours aunque dous sau geure d'un auge, d'une creature celeste-- Un de vous lettres etait dirigee "via Italie", une [alt] autre: via Japan courire celle-la'- Ma sauté u'empire par et je cris passer l'hiver raisanablement vu que je ue manque de rien, et que je devient prudente, de plus en plus, car je ne veux pour ries au monde dénantir l'espoir de mes amis de rue vaur saine et sauve le printemps serivant. Je crains que le frère George ne soit plus foible de sante que nior. Le brave homme a bien souffert ce temps es Faites savoir Daniel Kiefer, Cincinnati, O. qu'il ni est impossible de lui répondre excepter: I hope the Paper can be continued, but I cannot help. (de ma gard) Après avoir lu cette page vous l'enverrons à Ellen Starr, qui non seulement un'a écrit une longue lettre, (l'ayant commencée en Italie encore nous qui a eu le bel esprit d'y ajouter son portrait, qui étant placé audessus de ma petite table ne une quitte pos et partage ma seclusion sones pleutle un unurnuire. L'elait si joli de votre port, trés chére Ellen, de penser á mas dans vos voyages pai les belles contrées, de vanlair une porter consolation dons nos séjour, pas des plus gais, à vraie dire! Vous avez atteindi votre bût et soyez bénite pour votre bon coeur, qui vous pousie toujours vers ceux qui souffres. Ce n'est pas rarement que je une transporte à Hull House pour saluer ces habitants, dont chaque figure est vive dans una mieusire. Il faut vous dire que jamais la litérature ne laine en mau une impression aussi forte que la présence des humains; et de ma vie je u'ai cité une phrase d'aveu écrivain, tende que les paroles, les expressions et les actions des êtres humains l'impriment si profondément dans mou esprit, qu'elles s'y trauvent gravées pour toujours. C'est que l'humanité c'est ma passion, et les femmes - mon espoir de la vais parfaite un jour [*California avec son jardins des pruniers fleurissants me réjouit comme tout ce qui me vient de chez vous.*] Une femme russe, L.P. Kotchetkoff, docteur de médecine, vient d’ecrire un livre titulé “La disparition graduelle du [genre] sorte masculin dont les royaumes des plantes, des animaux et du genre humain.” Scientifique et parfaitement bien exposé - cet oeuvre laisse une impression supérieure; et si la conclusion faite par L.P.K. peut paraitre préiosse pour le moment - les études présentent un intéret profond et nous promettent de larges et hautes perspectives dans l’a venir, pour nous, femmes. J'espère que le livre est déjà traduit en Europe. - Cet hiver ci j’aurai assez de lecture; ce qui me garanti de tout ennui; d’autant plus qu’on a permis aux prisonniers de lire les télégrammes concernant la guerre, ce qui, à son tour, fait penser et mediter sur beaucoup de questions. - Mes très chères amies! Vous voyez bien que je ne vous surpasse plus dans mon français ; car non seulement en langues étrangères , mais en russe aussi je commence à faire quantité de méprises, devenant de plus en plus dissipée dans mes actions, non dans mes idées. - Vous direz donc à vos amies, qui sont les vieux, que je les aime tous, et que je regarde l’Amerique comme une seconde patrie. Permittez moi de laiser vos teueres mains, unes bonues, unes braves, unes chères et soyer tranquille, par le sort de votre. Catherine Breshkovsky. Siberia, Vrosnoiarsk. Ninousinsk, for me. 1916. Alice my beloved daughter, my friend, my love. I am better and would be glad to enjoy such health, as all this month for the rest of my life. It was written long ago, and it will be the third letter I send you, my dearling, being happy to say to you- my health goes from good to better. Really my nature is like that of a wild man; steps, forests, air, river, sky. . is the region where I become young and strong. Without the space I feel like a bird in a cage. How long will endure this my delight- Who knows? but for to-day I becom young and strong. The excellent letter of Mr. Herreshoff Lewis I got two weeks ago, was so cruelly difformed by the censor's zeal, that the address on it disappeared and I am obliged to get you sending the letter after you have read it and made legible. The last time you let me hear of you was a card of 13 May, where you mention your journey half across the continent. I hope you will relate it in Woman Journal, if not write me what it was for. What tells the letter of our dear Arthur? I kiss him and would be happy to see him once more. About me you are anxious because my many letters does not reach you, as well as our Helene, whom I answered every time I got her message. Werstower school also would have half a dozen of my responses and thanks if they reached the noble establishment. When children our family had a german girl into the house to make as speak her language; till now I remember her rough voice and her cold beheaviour, her manners made us, children, avoid her society and the progress was were slow. Certainly there must be good souls also, but we, russians rather suffered from the german civilization. Quite another feeling towards the french people. There are some touches, some please that unite the bothe races, all different as they are. We are too open perhaps too sentimental to please to the Saxson rade, but it does not impeach her to acknowledge these good sides of our nature which make the foundation of our character. Therefor we can always be good friends. Many times the english saw our soldgers with emphasis fight the ennemy ligh young leons, and never fail if late alone to do their best. Give me too the adress of Mr. Robinson, who is a very nice sympathizer with me. I never wrote him after I did it once, but his chivalry is above all proffs. I am proud not of myself, only of the company I am off(?) perhaps of? Your devoted Catherine. I Copy. 19/31 March 1916 Irkutsk To H.C. Dudley Dearest best girl Helena, you are quite right in your judgement about the question of the war. I agree with you in all points; but once it runs one must do the best of it. I hope that peoples will become much more clever as they were till now, they will see and feel all they loosed, and understand [why] way? Every one [w]must profit of this lesson. I see you did not get all my letters and cards sent from Irkutsk; in general the corrospondance goes slowly; the warm clothes you sent me are for sure drowned as well as a large letter from George, with two hundred roubles; the German submarines!! Pleases don't send any petitions on my account. It will be of no use first place, and second place I am against such matters. My gratitude to those who gave signatures is profound, The Woman's Journal and Suffrage News 585 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts Telephone Back Bay 4717 Contributing Editors Mary Johnston Stephen S. Wise Josephine Peabody Marks Zona Gale Florence Kelley Witter Bynner Assistant Editor Henry Bailey Stevens Editor-in-Chief Alice Stone Blackwell Contributing Editors Ben B. Lindsey Caroline Bartlett Crane Ellis Meredith Mabel Craft Deering Eliza Calvert Hall Reginald Wright Kauffman Managing Editor Agnes E. Ryan II but I hope to endure safely my actual existance and live to encounter better days. My health is supportable, my sight goes and my soul is full of hope and faith in the future of all the humanity. Our own people little by little becomes progressive, gives proofs of his capasities to understand the meaning of the sience and good faith. You all my dear friends can be quiet on my account till the end of my days. Let me hear of you all. Always the same Catherine. THE WOMAN'S JOURNAL and SUFFRAGE NEWS 585 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts Telephone: Back Bay 4717 Contributing Editors Mary Johnston Stephen S. Wise Josephine Peabody Marks Zona Gle Florence Kelley Witter Bynner Contributing Editors Ben B. Lindsey Caroline Bartlett Crane Ellis Meredith Mabel Craft Deering Eliza Calvert Hall Reginald Wright Kauffman Assistant Editor Henry Bailey Stevens Editor-in-Chief Alice Stone Blackwell Managing Editor Agnes E. Ryan Copy 1. Siberia, Krasnoiarsk Minusinsk Cat. Breskovskaya (or how do you wish) 6/19 Jany 1916? My friend my beloved girl Helena! Your letter of April 26 from Wilmington Deleware, reached me at Minusinsk, wher I live for three weeks feeling very well, going into fresh air, admiring the sky, mountains, prairies and trees. After a long seclusion it is a delight for one to have the opportunity to breathe the wind and to contemplate the profound azure. The little town is situated not so far from the [China] frontier of the Chinese Empire (some hundred miles;) the climate here is not so rude as in Yakutsk, even as in Yrkutsk. Here the people have every summer and different delicate , but not yet fruits, though 2 endeavors are made to acclimatize the apples and prunes and other fruit trees. The nature here is not without defects too. The last night for instance we had a frost which destroyed the young plants, and all poor people will suffer great losses. Now I will tell you what did I receive from the American friends as to magazines and letters, "National Geographic" two numbers, March and April, Atlantic 6 numbers till May; Woman's Journal regularly every week; the Public also; the Survey too; a beautiful edition, "House on Henry Street", several illustrated papers and albums, many leaflets from several religious societies. Many tokens of love from the Westover School, letters and albums, a beautiful and other tokens. read the letters of Miss Hillard and her companion, today I got one Miss Booth Cashman, with very nice cards. All the senders all the writers of all 3 these correspondence, I thank, I wish them to feel as happy as I feel myself when thinking of all love and attentions they give me, and fill my old years with cheer and tenderness. I never thought to deserve such affection. Mr Robinson is so good as to send me infallibly every week or so a card with his sympathy and best wishes, always caring for the welfare of Russia, it is so noble from his part. He even requests other good people to cheer me by their amiable addresses, so I got a letter from Mrs Bertha of Darcey, Bryantville Mass, with a Easter card from another person. I mention all of this on two ends; first I wish let to know how happy I am to get such attention and second to let know that the endeavors to make me comfortable are not lost and I profit very much by receiving all these riches. [The Woman's Journal and Suffrage News letterhead not transcribed} 4 Now dearest I will speak with you about the question that fills the hearts and minds of everyone now. You are right in your work of freedom [C] Certainly we ought, we must prepare, develop and inspire the love for peace and friendship between and among the peoples. But on the same time we must explain them, show them by what means shall they attain the desired mode of life. One must prove to them that the ideals can be attained by idialistic means; if not? One must teach them how to build a society that would not need to encroach in one anothers interests, existance As much as we know the history of human kind we see that every race of people is apt to get asleep, when left alone for a long time. It must be shocked and awakened from time to time, and as they will not or can not let work their mind with [e????l] Contributing Editors THE WOMAN'S JOURNAL Contributing Editors Mary Johnston and SUFFRAGE NEWS Ben B. Lindsey Stephen S. Wise 585 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts Caroline Bartlett Crane Josephine Peabody Marks Telephone: Back Bay 4717 Ellis Meredith Zona Gale Mabel Craft Deering Florence Kelley Eliza Calvert Hall Witter Bynner Reginald Wright Kauffman Assistant Editor Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Henry Bailey Stevens Alice Stone Blackwell Agnes E. Ryan "It is impossible to imagine the suffrage movement without the Woman's Journal." -- Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt. 5 enough energy and progress, the blows that the history (or their own blindness and stupidity) sends them is necessary to make them more attentive to their own real profits. The foreword individuals, have to teach the masses how to arrange the mode of life common [to] so as not to be forced by insupportable circumstance by too abnegation to strife and strike. We are not anges yet and every creature feels his right to breathe and to learn. I hope you will understand me, dearest Helena, my beloved friend, and you will believe me that the work you perform with your friends is [as] to me as dear as to you your self. For nothing is so beautiful for the mankind as good meaning and good feelings, and we must develop them by all means. From all my heart I wish you best results, large progress. Dearest girl we must how dark is still the [human] common brain. 6 It needs thunder blows to awaken and to begin to think about the matters before his eyes. The masses are not vigilliant, they continue to exist by routine and when left alone it is very [hard] difficult for them to promote initiative, energy, efficiency — Even less than forty years ago all the East, Chinese, Russia and others were thought dead people cristalized in their ancestors prejudices. Now you see, the mighty China acquires such ideas as we see on the lap of European civilizations, and that after five thousand years of sleeping. The last thirty years China got heavy blows on its shoulders, back and head and very hastily she understood that no longer can she exist if not preventing the new coming blows China began to think 7. to compare to find out issues only after hard an expensive experiences Now all of us never doubt the capasities of mind and the progressive efficiency of the ocean of people, that only yesterday were asleep. And now I am sure that all the blows - as heavy and tyranique as they are - are as much lesson for the lazy brain of the world population in its whole. Yes the heart is sad the sorrow profound, but we ought understand that still we attain the moral and minds perfections through [unspak] inspeakably fierce ways and mutilations. This fact does not disappoint us, not diminish our love for the mankind. On the contrary this capasity to struggle through the most terrible difficulties is the testemony of our divine forces. 8 We must only give them way, awakening, showing the right means and ways. There are more advanced and less advanced: the first are responsible for the development of the second. You know all that your self, dearest friend, but the school of life you passed through was For the future glory of the mankind we does suffer bravely the losses of today. The force that created the world dotted it with his own talents, perhaps entered as a composing part and its self into the worlds progress, to help the common promotion. Who knows?! Helena my sister you will restore all the missing words and expressions and make my writing readable for I feel how dreadful it is. Second place you will send my greetings 9. at Hull House to Jane Adams and Ellen; Lillian Wald, the beautiful girl and our two young friends Pull and Bullard. (I loose sometimes names and am anxious to recover them) Mr Illy and his wife. Mr Herreshoff and Julia, Euphemia and every one in Denison House. I kiss your hands, I will you always healthy and brave as you are. The world is not bad it is only young and comes from one degree of comprehension to the higher one. Think only at what we were some thousand years ago?! Your devoted friend and thankful pupil Catherine. [*Footnote*] [192-]196 To Lewis Herreshoff, In answer to [one] a letter asking if she would come to America in case permission could be obtained. July 15, 1911. "You were quite right in saying that such a plan may seem not acceptable from many points of view, yet I think you omitted one of the most serious points, which does not consist in political questions and questions of diplomacy, but [which] is involved with the inmost feelings and principles of our mental life, in the profoundest roots of our morality. "I dare to say, dear friend, that large qualities of my character form the stronghold of my soul, and if I have had any influence on the minds of my countrymen, it was solely through the stability of my faith and the entire absence of selfishness from my heart. "My devotion to the cause of my people has never been questioned until now, and if you and others like you understand that honest men and women may work everywhere and for every country with the same right and conscience, the labor people and the young generation would be much shocked and grieved to see their own blood forsake them for a life less difficult and without any dangers, while they are plunged in every mischief and uncertainty. All the labor of my life would be dissolved, and once more they might say, "How frail is the soul even of a strong person!" "I do not mention the personal grief and pain that I should feel in being divided from those whose existence is a million times [m] dearer to me than my own. What conserves my health and even my life? I can assure you, dear friend, that for forty years I have never been able to enjoy material welfare without miserable consequences to my health. My soul cannot relish and rest when my body is surrounded with great comfort. Alas! I know too well the sufferings of my country. "I assure you, good friend, that your letter with its contents honored me, made me proud and cheerful, yet I understood it was written by a person who had never experienced the smallest part of the horrors Department of Commerce Office of the Secretary Washington September 10, 1921 Mr. Rufus Jones, American Friends Service Committee, 20 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Dear Mr. Jones: In response to your request I beg to say that the efforts being made by the Friends Service Committee to secure charitable subscriptions for their work of famine relief in Russia has my fullest support. I know full well the difficulties of our own people but there are still many who can afford support and others who will willingly make sacrifices. The need is pathetic beyond description. The effort being made by all American organizations to mitigate this terrible situation is free of purpose in political, re- ligious or racial contention. It is not the sentiment of charity to ask who and why. None of the organizations co-operating under the Riga and European Relief Council agreements, which you have accepted, are in any way losing their identity or supervision of their own distribution subject only to coordination for the common good of the Russian people. The sole purpose of these arrangements is to assure protection and efficiency in administration that every cent shall do its utmost in saving life --that the whole effort shall be American in name and ideals. I trust that you will have the support the cause deserves. Yours faithfully, HERBERT HOOVER H.H: AGS (over) A Pen Picture of Russia's Misery SIX WEEKS IN RUSSIA By ROBERT DUNN "It's a glorious country, I'm frightfully in love with it." I turned in my chair expecting to see some tourist who had come recently from Switzerland or California. Instead, I confronted Gertrude Ostler, of Manchester, England, who had just stepped off the Courier train from the Russian border. She had been in Russia six weeks and I gather she would like to spend the rest of her life there. Miss Ostler has been in charge of the campaign for contributions to the famine fund made through the Manchester Guardian. She was so successful in her efforts that the Society of Friends sent her to Russia to see the famine regions with her own eyes. And she returns to tell us that Russia is a wonderful country. She is not speaking of scenery or mechanical achievement, or even of forms of government. She is thinking of people when she speaks of Russia. She has been among these people for a few weeks, too short perhaps to make profound analysis of anything in such a vast section of the world, but not too short to catch something of the quality of its people. For she has been among these people in the hour of their greatest misery. She has seen them resisting a mighty natural force — the famine. Miss Ostler has seen every stage of the Friends' work of relief, from the arrival of the food trains in Moscow to the serving of the cooked food to the children in the kitchens at Buzuluk, and the most distant outpost of the area — as large as Belgium — where the Society of Friends is at work. One of the villages visited was Novo Alexandrovka, once a community of prosperous small farmers. At the Central Kitchen there she saw rations given out to 50 children. Then she visited one of the families to which the rations went. She gives this picture of it: "We had noticed a little fellow 9 or 10 years of age who had come to the kitchen for two rations, neither of them for himself. He stumbled away across the snow hugging the can of soup and cup of cocoa with the two bread rations buttoned under his coat. I thought the child would collapse any moment. His face was colorless. His lips drawn back. He was shivering and crying tearlessly as so many do. We went with him to his home and found the mother trying to cook some grass flour mixed with twigs and wood. The soup and bread were handed over to the two younger children and the boy stood watching them, following every movement of the wooden spoons, but not attempting to take anything for himself. Later, we saw him struggling once more across the heavy snow; slipping and stumbling and still crying quietly. We asked that if possible a ration should be given him. BUT HE IS ONLY ONE OF THE TENS OF THOUSANDS YET UNFED." In one of the villages a peasant pressed to the front of the crowd and handed this note to Miss Ostler: "I beg you to include my children in the feeding center of my village. I have six children, 12 to 2 years. These are not included. They are threatened by death from hunger." When she went to see this family she found them rationing out the thatch from the roof to these six children who were living on a stew made from this and animal hair. This diet was no worse than the one she found among some of those still alive in Ephimovka. Here she went from house to house and found, "men dying of typhus or of hunger, lying week after week without help and despairing women standing over stoves and cooking pieces of hide." One of these women, the mother of two children, was asked to show what she had in her oven. "She was obviously frightened, but was finally persuaded to draw the iron pot from the embers, and in it we found part of the harness of a horse, actually a yard of reins." The institutions are grim enough; but worse still are the private houses where people die without any attempt at care or medical treatment. Writing of one of the outpost villages Miss Ostler says: "In company with Dorice White I visited a house where she had recently seen four children not far from death. We entered the home quite dreading what we might see. The mother was alone. We asked where the children were. She said they had gone to a neighbor's, then she corrected herself and said: "They are dead." We did not press her further. Dorice White thought it most likely that they had hidden the bodies, hoping, poor soul, that she might still receive their rations.... In all the houses we visited, sick and dying people - men, women and children - were lying on the floor or on the big stone stoves. It was difficult to know what to say or what to do. We gave what food we had in our pockets, ashamed to look at their suffering and do nothing, but knowing that they would soon be dead. We found no bread in any of the houses save the bread made of leaves and sticks that torture the children who eat it. A report on the various hospitals in the town of Buzuluk was drawn up by Miss Ostler. As Buzuluk is the capital of the Area in which the Friends' Mission is working, these extracts illustrate typical conditions at the time of her visit in February. In the Receiving Home for Sick and Abandoned Children, 160 children were congregated. "Deaths daily average 4. Disinfection impossible because of lack of clothing. Typhus and hunger cases live together for a week crowded into small rooms." In the Home for Children "100 sitting on bare wooden beds and benches too crowded for all to lie down. The sick in separate rooms. No bedding." Children's Hospital - "Generally 4 children in each bed under one cover. No medicine for children with 'typhus recurrens' and diarrhoea. No isolation for children suffering only from hunger. No change of bedding possible. Dead children often in beds with the living." Hospital for Typhus—"In one ward up to 6 and 8 in each bed. No change of bedding." Hospital for Epidemic Diseases—"Doctor in charge doing his best, but no disinfection of patients possible. Doctor and his nurses unable to keep themselves free from lice. All looked badly in need of food themselves. I asked how he dealt with the dead and he took me to a shed 30 feet from the wards, where we saw 75 bodies - stripped and frozen—men, women and children." "It was the same as Pavlovka and other places," says Miss Ostler. "The dead were piled in heaps and stripped of all clothing fit for further use. No means of sending these bodies to the cemeteries, for the horses were all dead and the people too weak to carry them." Yet in spite of all she has seen Miss Ostler can say that she loves Russia. Perhaps such incidents as these explain it. In a few notes on her travels through the small villages she says: "If you have time to put up the sleigh and see the headman of the village, you may be absolutely sure of a welcome; and if there is a samovar in the place, it will soon be ready for you. The gracious hospitality of these suffering peasants is a beautiful thing to remember. I think of one village where our meal was spread in the living room. The starving family withdrew lest their presence should embarrass us. Only after much insistence could they be induced to share our tea and bread, and then only after they had been assured that we had enough to see us through our journey." This is one of the reasons why the Friends' workers love the people to whom they are taking a little food and a little clothing. This is why so many of them say, with Gertrude Ostler, "It's a glorious country." (OVER) 3 Monadnock St. Boston 25. Mass. Feb. 13, 1923. C. E. Holman, Durham, N. C. Dear Friend: Thank you for your kind contribution of $5. for Madame Breshkovsky’s schools. Sincerely, Alice Stone Blackwell Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.