The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-10-22
NOT SEE HIS LIKE SOON
Ono Who Knows Alexander OF Russia
Tells Of His Character and
Life.
Every Inch n King, Heroic In
Stature, In Mind and In
Morals.
Potent In Maintaining the Peace Of
EaFOpo When Relations Were strained
to tho Utmost

Philadelphia. Oct. i21.-Ex-MiniHter
Chas. IL. Smith, who. during the time
he represented the United States at 81.
Petersburg. had ample opportunity 10
observe the personal character OF the
czar. talked Interestingly today when
asked by an Associated Press reporter
for hiE impressions as 20 the effect the
death OF the ozar would have on the
Russian empire. Mr.. Smith said; "The
impending death OF the czar would, In
my opinion. be a serious misfortune for
Russia and for Europe. IL In not prob
able that there will be any marked
changeIn the conservative policyo the
imperial government. The policy OF the
present reign has been wise, prudent
and firm. and is likely TO be followed.
But, In the nature OF the case, with a
new and untried sovereign there must
be solicitude until the lines are settled.
As to Russia internally. the present en-
peror has given her tranquility and sta
bility. There is little discomfort. no
agitation. and general devotion to the
crown on the part OF all classes.
Unexpected change necessarily
breeds anxiety. but Il finds loyal pub
lie temper. and with wise counsels II
will be easy TO move forward without
disturbances. Alexander III. has been
an upright and earnest ruler, less COM
manding than Nicolas. less liberal than
Alexander II; he has been well bal
anced. His personalities have inspired
confidence both at home and abroad.
He has been steadfast, conscientious
and straightforward. He has shared
the reactionary tendency which fol-
lowed the assassination of his father.
and which has been unfortunate in
some Of it's Developments. but with his
firm policy he has united strong sense
OF Justice.
During the famine of 1891 and 1892
some extreme socialistic articles imput-
ed TO Count Tolstoi found their way
into print. Tolstoi was engaged In re-
lief work, and some OF the ministers OF
the empire thought II unwise to let him
go among peasants preaching his revo-
lutlonary ideas. and they advised that
he be placed under arrest. This action
was greatly denounced. An English
| friend OF mine just at that time visited
| for some days at Tolstois house. When
ever the clatter of hoofs was heard on
| the road IL was supposed 10 be a squad
ron OF soldiers. AS a matter OF fact
the emperor refused TO accept the ad-
vice 10 place restrictions upon Tolstoi
saying that while his doctrines were
| wrong he was doing good and humane
work. and must not be interrupted
In IT,
No one could see anything OF the
pure and beautiful and domestic life
| OF the emperor, or his laborioue devo-
Il -. a.. -. az
or his manifest desire TO promote the
welfare OF his people. without great re-
spect for him. He has been a Russian
| In his feelings. and has aimed 10 de-
velop the national spirit of his people.
But he has Joined with this national
sentiment n deep personal sense Of
right and duty"
In an article which appeared In to-
days Press. Mr.. Smith writes OF the
czar as follows: "The sudden and swift
collapse of the czar in the very prime OF
life seems strange and almost incred-
ible. He Ia only 20 years old. He had a
stalwart figure and the physical
prowess of the Romanoffs, standing
six feet two, well proportioned. very
robust health. about the strongest man
in Russia. Living a well ordered life.
he seemed the last OF the living sover-
eigns on whom dread disease would lay
its fatal hnnd.
"HIs moral rectitude and his upright
purpose have matched his rugged man.
hood. His character and impulses have
inspired loyalty and devotion at home
and respect and confidence abroad. For
years he has been the sheet anchor OF
peace in Europe. As crown prince he
won soldierly laurels in the Russo
| Turkish war, but as emperor he has
been supremely devoted TO continental
peace and been potent force In main
tanning IL. With one hand he moderated
the impulsive ardor OF France, and with
the other he warned and checked the
aggressive tendency OF Germany. He
restrained the hostile spirit of others
and renounced wRrlike purposes him.
Had he been restless and ambitious
Of military glory and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
he might easily have applied the torch
which would have set Europe afiame,
But he held n stcndy hand over great
power and refused 10 be disturbed and
diverted by the pitlful squabbles OF the
Balkan stntes: calm, cool. firm and self
possessed, ne conserved the equilibrium
and peace of Europe.
"Slow In coming 20 conclusions, q
plodder rather than n genius, when his
determination was reached he was hrm
and resolute I'm enforcing H. He has n
strong will. lie has been his own mas
ter Ready always to give counsel he
has himself been Enthusiastically the em-
peror. Though rarely surprising the
world with any striking ordering pol
Icy. he has quietly aud steadily
out "A change In the position OF Russia
which has lifted her from n secondary
place aud made her arbter OF European
Of European pence.
"Curioualy enough, with all the RUS
slim censorship and restriction, the
most active and potent nEcnt IN lead
ing the czar away from the old foreign
influence was journalist. kalkOm,
chief OF the Moscow Gazette, was one
OF the nblcst and most powerful edi.
tors OF any country-a Russian Horace
dreely-and the alliance OF the oEar
and Kalkon shook the universal intel
lertual and diplomatic domination OF
bismarck, and from playing subordi'
unto party To the great German chan
cellor advanced Russia 90 the position
OF holding the balance between adverse
forces and debating the pence OF
Europe. Tho cznr pursued this policy
with eteady and rational Judgment
"Thcrc were Influences ngaiuet HIN
that were bent on war. lie warmly
mastered and controlled them. lie had
faith IN himself, lie was fun OF oour.
age. There In prevailing Idea that
he has lived In constant dread and nnN'
lcty, but he In "A fathliHt, ana he has
moved calmly forward with the con
victiOn that his destiny. whatever II
might be- could not be changed. Doubt
lOaa precautions have constantly beer
taken for his safety bat they have beer
the measures OF those about him rather
thnn hls own.
His great services 10 mankind hav'
been na pcRcemaker OF Europe. Whal
viii follow his death no one can yci
tell. The heir to the throne Is only 26