New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-03
ALIBERAL DICTATOR.
LoRs MELIKoFF, ~THE LITTLE ARMENIAN

L1phlS MELIKoFF, "THE LITTLE ARMENIAN
pHoAA OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT or TIE rRBuSR.1
n St Petersburg. Jsnuory 16
Teopie are talking much OF Loris Melikoff.
though for several years before his death his name
was seldom mentioned 1t is not generally known
tnat Melikof was the author of liberal eonsti-
tuition which was in the possession of the late
emperor at the time of his death. Had his life
peen spared few weeks longer, Russia would
nave had different government, and Melikof. in
stead Of dying half-forgotten at Nice. would have
been hailed as the deliverer of Russia. Your
freedom Of speech and honesty please me- said
the Emperor, after the consultation which followed
the hrst attempt to assasSinate him, sand / will
reward it, One hour later Loris Melikoff was
Dictator Of the Empire, with power that was
almost absolute. His word was law. and he was
feared only second to his master And yet he did
not abuse his authority. but strove honestly to
better the condition of Russia and it's people
lime was not given him. His liberal views were
not in accord with those of Alexander III. who
decided not to follow the tendency of his father,
and Count Melikof was relieved of his position.
While vested with the privileges Of Dictator, and
before the bomb had done its terrible work
heikoff was in the habit OF dining at fashion
able restaurant in one Of the principal boulevards
lie occupied private room as rule, and was
unattended. Upon one occasion several young
oncers were dining in an adjoining room. the walls
between them being very thin, and called loudly
Tor the gascon.n where have you been9"
asked the spokesman. when he finally made his
appearance. Attending n gentleman in the
neighboring room.' was the answer. But who
is he that you should disregard officers Of the
Garde du Corps?7 continued the lieutenant II
is the Dictator, Count Melikoff." came the reply
Let the little Armenian watt thundered the
officer, and attend TO our wants first" Melikoff
bad heard the conversation in full On the fol-
lowing day the polite lieutenant received an In
yitaton 10 the Dictator's house Believing that
ne was to be discharged, his friends condoled with
him and babe him be brave at the threshold of
the palace where the great man resided. When he
sent In hi name, Melikoff replied that he would
see him at once. What was the officers surprise
few moments later TO see the Dictator approach
him accompanied by his little son. Lieutenant"
said Melkof, this pointing to the child. " is
little Armenian; / am His Exeellency the Die
tator,' and, bowling, returned 10 his room No
further rebuke was administered 70 the officer.
who, however, never forgot the lesson.
letter from Teheran, Persia, was published
in one Of the St. Petersburg papers few days
ago which gave surprising news Of the summary
way In which the officers Of railway are dealt
with In that distant country On the road con-
Meeting the city with one OF the suburbs Mahom-
etan was killed His Infatuated friends who
soon gathered in the neighborhood rushed upon
the engineer and fireman, both OF whom were left
half dead The station was burned 70 the ground
and the rolingstOck along the line completely
destroyed. The Intervention Of the army alone
stopped further demolition. The company which
was Belgian, placed their loss at 10000 roubles
and demanded restitution from the Government
AZ first IL was utterly refused, the authorities
arguing that the company owed its merite1 loss
TO carelessness After the company had threat
ened TO run no more trains and TO withdraw en-
finely from the country, the Government compro-
missed by giving them / 900 roubles and the ex-
elusive privilege Of establishing the only match
factory in Teheran. These terms were accepted.
But the people were not quoted for some time.
The road was avoided by the majority of the
inhabitants, who preferred walking to riskng
their lives Confidence was not restored until
the Grown Prince, a man of great influence
among his people, entered the car TO ride TO the
castle in Tcheran. With this encouragement
traffic was resumed.
Baron Alexander JOmini who died here short
time ago. was one Of the greatest Russian states
men of the present time He was born in 1871 the
son OF the celebrated military author of the same
name Recommended TO Count Nesselrode by the
Emperor Nichols, he soon entered upon diplo-
matte career, and was appointed, while almost
lad, TO be Counsellor in the Foreign Office.
He was called as professor Of history and politics,
70 instruct the late Prince Imperial Nicholas
Aexsndrovitch. as well as the present Car, who
was particularly friendly TO him. In 1882, when
NJ de GieIs became Minister Of Foreign Affairs,
Baron Jomini was raised TO the dignity Of Secre-
tary OF State In 1874 he was president OF
the Congress in Brussels, and presented the now
famous measures Of the late Gar for ooviating
some Of the terrors Of war. He was an intimate
friend OF Gortschakof and an ardent admirer OF
his political creed. Jomini was very popular
among all classes and noted for the beauty OF
his character. No scandal ever blackened bis
name.