New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-12
THE TYRANT OF MUSCOVY.

An interesting German book entitled Russia Under
Alexander III, with References to the Recent Past
| by the welEknown author. II. LimsOn- Hmmel-
sterna Victor Frank. has just left the Leipzig press
The book contains many entertaining pages, and re-
veas many secrets regarding the political affairs OF
| the great Empire.
"Friend and foe" writes Frank, In o chapter de-
| voted to the Gar, "unite in the opinion that the
present ruler Of all of the Russians possesses in high
degree the virtues of respectable private citizen.
An excellent huband. loving father, wise and
nomic head OF family an enemy of dishonesty and
immortality; this monarch is distinguished for the in
dustry and eonscenousness which he displays In the
ulflment Of his important duties. He Is opposed to
all kinds of coquetry and proceeds his without
begging for popularity applause. At the first blush
| he seems to be a most exclusive and impenetrabe
ruler. after the fashion OF his grandfather Like his
grandfather, Alexander III is supposed to care little
for the consequences of his actions, to be strict cruel
| and exactng.
Gould mortal man form his character according to
his wishes, that would be a proper criticism Of Alex
| ander III. But such is not the case No one can
| change his natural character. This monarch IS not
what he would gladly be: he is entirely different
person These words of the poet are true in his
| case, too:
| "'Wie an dem Tag der dch der Welt verlchen,
| Die Some stand yum Grusse der Paneten,
| Bst ais bald nur fort und fort gedichen,
| Mach dem Gesetz wonach du angetreten,
So must du sein dir kannst du NIGHT entilchen.'
"Ths second son Of Alexander II IS a man in con-
nict with himself. lie educated to dstrust and
doubt himself and Others Despite his earnest efforts
to become Independent arlstOcrat he Will never be
able to accomplish his desires. His peculiar ieticenco
depends partly upon his native and unusual rodesy.
partly upon lack Of secOnfdence As rule, foreign
counsel and foreign opinion influence him little. But
that Is not because he Is ready or decided IN his opn-
ions. 1t Is rather due to his feeling that duty requires
| 1.-Two
appearance Of ndecsveness He fears the appearance
| OF dependence than dependence itself The say
ing Herr Manteufel. the PrusSian Minister that
the stronger party can afford to take step backward
! Is tue OF the Emperor cOnt?anO. We're this Prince
! stronger than he is, he would be enent. HIS
life 1t IS true, has led him to dlstrust people. Tho
chief source of that dstrst however, Is r reality the
lack of belief In himself Another motive Is also actyo.
Alexander ILL., in TRUTH finds it difficult TO decide
things for that very he affects rapid decisions.
Lors quill prend fos part Il feut avec tongue
pour NJ etre pas obige dc voulor longtemps' Aexan-
der's hatred Of the European character is duo
greatly to this natural uncertainty and hesitation.
"The notorious peculiartes in the daily conduct Of
this monarch be explained by this contrast or con-
! tradicton between his real chararte- and what he
wishes to be. lie prefers to carry on his business
with his generals and ministers in writing raher than
! verbally. Why7 Because he does not wish to hear
objections which he is not prepared to combat. As a
matter Of duty, he receives hundreds of people from
| all parts OF the country but he will not permit
them to indulge In discussions. because he fears that
| explanations might cause difficulties. lie avoids as
far as possible direct and extended interviews with
foreign diplomats because he is unable to foretell their
influence and because conversation in French causes
him greater difficulty than he cares to acknowledge.
"The active and conscientious ruler has learned
gradually how to dispose Of the daily routine business
Things outside Of this routine he avoids as much as
possible. For the same reason His Majesty limits
his visits 10 foreign courts, excepting OF course thOse
TO his unprtentlous Danish father-in-law The fear
of being forced to play minor part follows the grand
son of the nfallble Nicholas like ghost Naturally,
the intense pride OF the Car in his position affects his
surroundings and makes life at court 10 an extent
| unpleasant. Personally brave, although he IS sur
rounded by thousands OF dangers, he objects to the
care with which lie is obliged TO guard his person.
This constant watching enough in Itself to emblter
his life His position obligcs him also 10 deny con
stanty his true nature. In fact he seldom shows his
true character except during his periodical visits to
the court at Copenhagen. The fIesh charming manner
which distinguished him in happier days again shows
itself when he is there, he is forced TO consider
| neither man nor position. At other times this free
nature Is subdued. But close observer can always
see the effects Of the struggle between the true and
the false nature Of HIS Majesty. The face Of the
! tall stately, handsome, powerful man, with the
beautiful broad forehead, shows a mixture Of harsh
ness and mildness, lofty pride and unconquerable
! mo1esty and betrays a mind always concerned with
| himself. Although as Grand Duke he was easy OF
approach the isolation Of recent years has made him
| more exclusive than any Of his ancestors lie has
little TO do even with his sO-called intimate friends.
Relations with morals outside OF the customary circle
are out Of the question. More and more to the regret
of patriots, he accustoms himself to conne his inter
course with his cOunseorS to the signing OF their
| papers.
"Tha saying that personal morality nourishes at the
| tv i- frfiao NJ fho M
expense al and s @nser After the Sppotent Of
the genial Count lgnatef rs Minister, in 1881 had
change his standards He began to look upon private
purity and honesty as suretes OF political purity, cap
ingy. Many Of these men have proved that man who
is only honest amounts 10 little Others nave proved
mon fanatics whose moral recttude is only equaed by
their stupidity and shorts ghteduess The monarch per
ienSonsibty about him only selfcOnGdent talented
auocrnts have the courage TO choose talented men as
dlstrllss talent and is Silent in the presence OF IA
uatcism That Alexander III IS more impressed By
mnfondcd convictions than by opinions founded upon
reason may be natteng TO his moral nature were these
conditions reversed however II would be better for
we have made In international questions have been due
10 the abnormal fear OF foreign, especially German In
thence shown BY the Emperor Opinions and pro
posals rreutaby wise and logical, coming TO us from
Western Europe have always been looked upon WIN
nom national and religious race fanacism have been
welcomed. because they appealed TO inc heart and not
10 the head As II convictions OF the hear1 were more In
ialbc than opinions of the mind II Is true that there is
an instinct which Is often more reliable than logically
developed opinions but that instinct Is not found In
eminently honest fanatcal men, but in genial clever
natures Men Of the latter class are as scarce among
the advisers OF Alexander III as among those OF MS
The person of the Car Is falsely judged as Q rule
Alexander III is by nature eh0erc ana h M
Majesty becomes at times as stormy ana regardless vi
as was ever ,ase ms stsnes ae not
although they are often exaggerated These outbreaks