I am not going to specifically deal with the media writings of the Russian press except for those already mentioned which are available in translation.

The first big Canadian headline was the HALIFAX HERALD, January 21st. 1899, perhaps one of the most favourable of all and one of the first and last such favourable stories. The story carried a complete report of the journey, events on board etc. and generally was a balanced view with a favourable aspect towards the immigrants.

The HALIFAX MORNING CHRONICLE wrote: 'Singing psalms of thanksgiving to Almighty God over two thousand souls freed from Russian tyranny and oppression sailed into Halifax harbour... One reason why they left their own country was because they refused to take up arms, yet they received a warm welcome in a harbour studded with forts.'

Later references to pacifism would suggest that they were disloyal or traitors for their pacifist beliefs. The January 24th issue of the ST. JOHN DAILY STAR reported: "... men, women, and children, 2000 in all, showed a willingness to do anything and everything that had to be done on board the ship in order to make the passage as pleasant as possible for all on board. It was a holiday trip for the ship's crew, for the immigrants did the greater part of the work."

Reporters from the MONTREAL DAILY STAR were also on hand and reported: 'He had not seen a row or heard a cross word among them during the voyage. There was no vice of any kind among them, and he believed they would make a superior class of immigrant.'

In 1902, a Winnipeg paper reported on the arrival of Peter Verigin: 'Both physically and mentally, he is perfectly equipped to be a leader of men... his conversation reveals a bright, keen, active mind... '

At this time, it was hoped that Verigin would settle all of the Doukhobor problems with the government regarding the land issue, and the bias was in the Doukhobors' favour.

Notable exceptions to bias was the consistent and even handed reporting in THE FRIEND, published by the Quakers.

In the December 27th issue of 1907 we hear of the latest Doukhobor 'pilgrimage' in which forty members of the community had left their homes and trekked to Winnipeg, arriving on foot and penniless after a journey of 300 miles. Their journey is noted in a sympathetic light and concludes: 'It is obvious that the pilgrims are sadly misguided, but it is satisfactory to reflect that the number is a very small fraction of the 8,000 Dukhobors [sic] now in Canada.'

It is this very demarcation between the zealot faction and the law abiding majority that this publication carefully points out, and the lack of distinguishing between these factions that became so irritating to scholars and Doukhobors when the Canadian press began its open season on 'Douks' in general, with no regard for the majority which did not participate in illegal behaviour.

The TORONTO MAIL AND EMPIRE at the time wrote a sensible and sympathetic editorial noting the need for 'gentle influence' and education, '...for the Doukhobors are with us now and it is important that they should become rational citizens.'  As will be seen from following examples, such articles reflecting a non-sensationalistic attitude were the exception.

This same article provided further balance by quoting from a WINNIPEG FREE PRESS editorial which stated: '...the participants in these absurd demonstrations are by no means representative of the colony . . . less than a 100 people were on these pilgrimages of this summer and there are over 8,000 Doukhobors in the west.'

The editorial goes on to speak positively of the development of the brick factory in Yorkton and presents a picture of a Doukhobor scene; an elder with children. This is notable because pictures of demonstrations were not featured as they were in most such reports.

This entire document is available for download in .pdf format here.