In the fortress of Sts. Peter and Paul,[1] Kropotkin was lodged in a cell big enough to shelter a big fortress gun (25 feet on the diagonal). The walls and floor were lined with felt to prevent communication with others. "The silence in these felt- covered cells is that of a grave," wrote Kropotkin . . . . "Here I wrote my two volumes on The Glacial Period." Here

[1]In the Trubeskoi bastion, one building in the fortress. he also prepared maps and drawings. This privilege was only granted, to him, however, after a strong movement amongst influential circles compelled it from the Czar.[1] The Geo- graphical Society for whom he was writing his thesis also made many pleas on his behalf. He was allowed to buy tobacco, writing paper and to have books-but no extra food.

Kropotkin says that political prisoners were not subjected to corporal punishment, through official fear of bloodshed. But he must mean by corporal punishment actual beatings, for he says also, "The black holes, the chains, the riveting to bar rows are usual punishments." And some politicals were al- leged to have been put in oubliettes in the Alexis Ravelin[2] which must have been the worst feature of all the tortures. This meant immurement alive in cells, in a remote spot where no contact with others was possible, and where the prisoner would often be chained or riveted for years.

More recently there was some mitigation of the worst fea- tures of the prison regime and some additional privileges were extended to politicals.

All this applied to old Russia. There is no documentary proof available yet, as to how Soviet Russia treats its offenders against the present government. The Constitution of the Rus- sian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic' does not provide a status for political prisoners, but it does provide for their re lease. It specifically deals with amnesty which is proof of the importance with which it regards the question of political offenders. It says: "The All-Russian Central Executive Com mittee deal with questions of state such as . . . the right to declare individual and general amnesty.[4]

France has had perhaps the most enlightened attitude of all the nations toward political offenders. She absolutely

[1]Set Memoirs of a Revolutionist, Kropotkin. [2]Another section of Sts. Peter and Paul Fortress. [3]Adopted by the 5th All-Russian Congress of Soviets, July 10, 1918. Reprinted from The Nation, January 4, 1919. [4]Article 3, Chapter 9 . . . 49 q. guarantees special treatment, by special regulations, and does not leave it to the discretion of 'changing governments.

On August 7, 1884; Thiers, in a ministerial circular, laid down the fundamental principles upon which France has acted. The only obligation upon the defendant, according to this circular, was to prove the political nature of the offense, "that it should be demonstrated and incontestable that they have acted under the influence of their opinions."[1] Theirs advocated superior diet for political prisoners and no work.