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Parent Issue
Day
26
Month
January
Year
1883
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

rARis, jan. iu, mkk. Although Prince Krapotkine maiiitaing the utmost reserve during his frequent examination by M. Rigot, the Juge d' Instructiou at Lj'ons, the Information derived frota the seizure of his papers and leave Hule or no doubt as to the very prominent part which he has played in connection with the revolutionary movement in France. His intímate friend aml political ally is M. Elysee Reclus, one of the first geographers in the woild, but, like himself, an agitator to the baekbone. Seriously compromiaed by his share in the Commune, Elysee Reclus would have found his way to New Caledonia with Henri Rochefort and his other associates but for the inlereession made in hls behalf with M. Thiers by several distinguished savants- Englishmen for the most part. Thesentence of transportation was commuted to one of banishraent, and since '71, M. Recluse has reslded in Switzerland, retaining the "courage of his opinions," and doing a vast amount of mischief, thcugh with the utmost good faith and best intentions. AVhen Prince Krapotkins also took up his abode in the Hel vetic Republic, the two, who have many tastes in common, struck up a warm friendship, contributing incendiary articles to the same jouraalt, and creating quite a network of auarchical clubs.The iuvestigation of Prince Krapotkine's share in the revolutionary mövement has naturally thrown further light on his old comrade's proceedings, with this result, that in the opinión of the authorities M. Elysee Reclus has taken about as active a part iu the enterprise as the Nilnlist. The following letter, just addressed to M. Rigot, the Juge d' Instiuction at Lyons, and published by the lntransigeant thismoining, proves the i"" ïotïicuud wmcn aictates the attitude of the man who only a few weeks ago handed over his two dauhters to a couple of "liusbands" without any religons or ciril ceremony or formality of any kindhatever. "Sir- I read In the Lyons Republican of Dec. 23 that accordiug to what has transpired at the examination of Prlnce Krapotkine the two leaders and organizers of the revolutionary anarchist' are Elysee ReclusandPrinceKiapotkine, and that if I do not share my friend's prison it is because the French Mlniitry of Justice cannot go and capture me on the other side of the frontier; but you are awarethat it would have been a veryeasy matter to arrest me, as I have just speiit two months in France. You also know that I went to Thonon for AnanielFs funeral the day afler Prince Krapotkine' arrest, and that I spoke a few words over the grave. The policemen, who were immediately behiud me, and who murmuied my name to each other, had only to ask me to follow them. It matters little whether I am living in France or in Switzerland. If you want to examine me Ishall lose no time in replying to jour personal invitation - only teil me the place, the day, and the hour, and at the appointed time I shall knock at the door of the prison you may select. With my complimenta (signed) Elysee Reclus." This ofler to beard the lion in his den is no empty bluster. The writer means what he says. He miglit have proflted by the amnesty and settled for good in his natlve country, but he preferred to lead his old life, and refused to leave the land of hu adoption. It is a pity that so much talent should be partially filttered away in so poor a cause, for M. Elysee Reclus, practical as he is in many thingg, appears to have no programme but slieer and adsolute destructlon, and it is still more to be deplored that the iitti uence of his genius ind character should have won him many proselyte.

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Subjects
Ann Arbor Courier
Old News