New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-27
A ROMANOFF TRAITOR.
POET. NIIGILIST AND COUSIN OF THE CAR

FUEL. Nlflll%lNl AMI 1OtNlN VI lDb 1/ShR
IRON An OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT or TIE TRBUNE
Berlin. April *.
The Nihilistic escapades Of the Grand Duke
Constantine Constantinovitch form the most eX.
asperating episode of the reign of the present
Car They are sufficiently serious in political
way to disturb the Government very greatly. They
show that Alexander III cannot de-
pend even upon his own near kins-
men for loyal support. and they have
highly demoralizng effect upon the whole
aristocracy. which has hitherto BEEN Of course.
the foundation of conservatism. IL was the
late Count Tolstoi. the reactl0nary Minister "f
the Interior who declared that the importance OF
mans deeds was magniled in equal ratio to the
cube Of his social elevation. Nor was this an
eytravagant expression: AT least in Russia HE
treason of a dozen colonies in the army or OF
thousand students in the universities would not
he for moment comparable in disastrous eteou
10 the disloyalty OF a cousin of The Gar.
But the wrath which Alexander III now feels
has another than this; just as the treason
of Constantine Constantinovitch has another In
spiration than mere love for the people and de-
sire for their emancipation. 1t is even to be
doubted If the Grand Duke cherishcs these latter
sentiments at all. save a means to an end
His treason has its origin in bitter personal
cnmity between him and the Emperor. an enmity
which has frequently been manifested hitherto
with troublous results. and which dates back 10
the boyhood OF the fathers Of the Duke and the
Car 1t is curious and romantic story. re-
scmbling more the legends of the feudal ages than
the matter Of fact record Of the NInetcenth Gem
fury.
Constantine Constantinovitch is. as his name
indicates. son Of Constantine Nicolae-
T and
the Gar Nicolas Alexander was the eldest son
Of Nicolas. but was born before Nicolas became
heir apparent 10 the throne. Soon after Alex.
ander's birth. however. Constantine Pavlovitch.
brother of Alexander l. addicted his rights as
Heir Apparent in favor of Nicolas and the latter
thus became Heir Apparent and afterward Gar.
And it was after this ablcation of Constantine
Pavlovitch that Constantine Nicolacyitch was
born. Although. therefore. Constantine was the
second son of Nicolas he was his first son born
after he became Heir Apparent. and This 1act.
in the eyes of Constantine himself and many OF
his friends gave him claims TO the succession
superior to those of his elder brother AleXancer.
Gar Nicolas thought differently. and designated
Alexander as Czarevitch. and the latter became
Enperor. as Alexander H. But Constantine
never abandoned his ambition 70 become Gar.
nor his enmiiy toward the elder brother who had,
as he thought. robbed him OF his rights Even
during his fathers reign he showed his disanec-
ton by giving sympathy and aid To the foiisn
instruction of ls53-'54 and he even planned
TO establish himself at Warsaw as King or Gar
Of Poland should the rebellion prove successful.
on coming TO the throne Alexander II forgave ana
sought TO conclate his brother. whose great In
trllccrual gifts and genius for satesnanshlp he
fully recognized. He even went 50 far as 70 maze
him President of the Council of State. But IN
time IL became evident that Constantine was using
Lis rank and office TO undermine the authority
of the Gar whereupon the latter. largely, II Is
said at the suggestion of his son. the preseno
Gar. removed him from Office and exied him
TO his estates at Orlando. in the 'rlmea. near
tie Imperial seat of Livadia Since the accession
OF Alexander III this Punishment has been mace
strictcr than ever. The estate of Oranda Is
largely planted with vineyards. and Constantine
has for wears apparently devoted himself 10 tne
peaceful pursuits OF a winc-maker
lie has five children. cousins Of the Gar Inc
eldest of these is Nicolas. Of whom more anon.
The second is the beautiful Grand Duchess olga,
no,y Oueen of Greece The third is the Grand
Duchess Vera. widow of Eugene Duke of Wurtem-
burg Tie fourth is the present traitor. Grand
Dnke Constantine Constantinovitch. who is
thirtytwo years old is married to Princess Eliza
And the fifth is the Grand Duke Demetrius, or
Dimitry This young Constantine inherits all
his fathers Intellectual ability and political am
bition Some years ago he won high rank as
poet. through the publication Of his verses IN
Katkoff's review, the . Russi Vicstnik. Now'
however, his writings are 50 openly tIeasohapie
and 50 violent in their hostility To the Govern
ment that any paper publishing them would ~
at once suppressed. and It's editor sent 10 slDeria
.tl d. \
Duke prints them himself and circllates them
privately, though widely. some time ago ms
doines were reported to ne .zaI. wnV VINO , mas
furiously angry and actually threatened MN
with deportation to siberia ms threat was hoo
fulfilled. however. nor Is II likely ever 10 ne Ior
the reason that young constantine Is hDPeIess
sufferer from consumption. and exile 10 SlDefii
would he his death-warrant. Inc Gar now,
ever is to-day reported u have SAID; We VIII
send him TO his brother. who seems 10 ne dolh?
very well Perhaps il viii have an equally good
effect upon HIM. -,
The brother here referred to Is N.col'ss n SGn-
eldest son of the elder Grand Duke
I constantine. / mention him. as IN the preceding
paragraph. without The title of Grand Duke. iT-
cause he no LONGER bears II. some years ago
Ticolas. a man ~ extraordinary talents. by the
way became desperately enamored Of beautiful
American adventures. who had a marvellous
faculty for spending money Sne soon ran
through with all his available means, and sflli
clamored for more. Fearing that she would for
him unless he supplied her demands. Nicolas
i'm ms desperation stole some valuable jewels
which hi, mother 10 whom they belonged. had
usel 70 decorate the altar in the chapel of the
palace This act at once discovered and
proved fatal to Nicolass career in Russia. since
il amounted To both larceny and sacr.iege. The
Car summarv deprived him of his iItles and
riahts and eNied him for life 10 Turkes'an.
Harsh rs this fate was. II proved a good thing
for Nicolas. Taking the name of Nicolas
Romanof. he settled m Turkcstan and devoted
himself TO business. He acquired large tracts of
desert land. and by means of artificial irrigation
transformed them into the most fertile FIELDS.
He built large silk factory. which is now doing
A great and profitable business and he has
Identified himself with the building of irrigation
canals and the promotion OF other public works
Is To he regarded with unbounded esteem and
affection by all the country II is altogether
probable that his brother Constantine will
presently be sent to Join him there. Turkestan
is poor place for Nihilism; but good place for
SIZE MAD HER WAY.
rom Tie Lewiston Journal.
little incident, Illustrative Of local school.