New-York tribune., 1869-05-05
OBITUARY.
PRINCE MENsCHlKOFF.


we have Intelligence by the Atlantic Cable
Of the DEATH on Monday last OF Prince Alexander Ser
Reewitsch Menschikof, Admiral Of the Russian Navy.
The deceased prince had reached ripe old age having
been born In the year 1882 He the grandson that
famous pastrycook attained to the highest dgnes
of the Empire under Peter the Great and Catherine
like his grandfather, the founder Of the family, was
tsnsey Russian In every respect He entered the public
service as back 1906 and wns some time an at
tache OF the Russian Embassy Vienna In 1919 he
appointed aidede-eamp to the Emperor Alexander and
during the following three years served IN the different
campaigns OF the Allies against Napoleon gaining
by his bravery and capacity the rank OF General
On the restoration Iof peace by the overthrow
of Napoleon, Menschikof became the leader
Of Russian lparty (which proposed tO itself the
restoration OF the Greek Empire throwing himself into
the project wbIhe greatest enhusasm but the scheme
not meeting with the approval OF the Emperor the Gen
eral retired from Court IN lS along with strogonow and
Capo dIsra On the accession OF the Emperor Nicholas
he was recalled by that monarch, and sent special
mission to the Shah OF Persia Abbas brza In this he
unsuccessful but not through any fault OF his the
Shah taking advantage OF revolt In the Russian army
10 break of the negotiations, attempting at the same
time 10 the person OF the penpotenary in which
he very nearly succeeded Menschkof having managed to
escape though with difficulty. able to take part in
hostilities against the Shah at the very outbreak
OF the which followed the rupture Of
the negotiations, and having been appointed
at late period to the command OF Russian division
1924 he made himself Of Anapa and then passing
into Europe Generaln.Chef he undertook the siege
OF Varna; but having been severely wounded he was
compelled to relmquish his command and return home
He did not, however, remain idle long, for Immediately
his recovery he appointed Yce-Admral and
Chief OF staff Of the Russian Navy in WI IN capacity he
devoted himself most Gsslduousy, with me Grand Duke
Constantine to improve the Imperial Navy, at that time
in very low and inefficient state. In 1884, Menschkof
ad IN tba ~
was prQmOted 10 the rank Of Admiral aud in 1886
intrusted with portfolio Minister OF Marine. But
the event with which his name will be most prominently
associated In history, and which las gwen him world
wide reputation is the Cmean War In 1853 he the
ambassador Of Russia TO Turkey. The period was
critical The question Of the Holy Places had been
raised between the two Powers, threatening serious
trouble, and Menschikof not the man TO throw oil
the troubled waters Fanateally Russian, he found
It impossible 10 conceal under the polite forms OF dpo
macy his contempt for the Turk. He deliberately In
suited the Porte and they abruptly departed from Con
stantinoplc, after having submitted utmatum
which virtually amounted to declaration OF war. lie
was received ST. Petersburg his return with
coldness but the work he had left behind hm could not
he udone War Immediately broke out. and the naughty
prince who had been Instrumental in Fastening 1t,
appointed 20 the supreme military and civil government
Of the Crmea In the early struggles between thebel-
lgerent Powerf OF which that peninsula the thea
ter. he played conspicuous part He commanded the
Russian army at the battle Of the Alma AMI upon beng
beaten by the Allies conducted the retreat 10 Sebao
pol which hC hastily fortified on the land side while he
closed the entrance to the port by sinking the channel
part Of the Russian feet In ls defense OF sebasopo
he displayed great energy. hn hs fortunes were not
equal 10 his valOr and capacity Some time after the
defeat Of Inkerman and the death Of Nicholas he fell
sick and wac removed from the Crmca He was snese,
queuty utrustod with the defense Of troustadt but had
no further opportunity OF distinguishing himself during
the continuance Of the close. little has
been heard Of him, although be- continued to occupy
In the Councils ~ tho Empire, and tu he recognized
chief Of the old Russian party. welded 10 the tadi
tiOus aud OF barbarous age. aud opposed 10 all
reform.