Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-04
Nicholas II.

OF Nicholas H., the new Car Of Rus
Ella, we have two distinct and sharply
contrasting pictures. The one represents
him as weak and vasclllating and merses
him with shadowy uncertainty into the
gloomy and reactionary background
OF his fathers reign. The other
brings him out from that back
ground as strong personality, possess
Ing the indomtable will Of the Romanoffs
without the narrownes. Of Alexander ILL.,,
and having many Of the better traits and
inspired by much Of the nobler ambition
of Alexander H.. his grandfather, who
was known as the Liberator Car.
In how far either of these pictures Is
faithful. time alone can demonstrate; but
there Is a great deal to strengthen the
hope that Nichols II. will prove more
enlightened. humane. and progressive
ruler than his father. The accession OF
Alexander III. to the czarship was an
accident, due to the death OF Us eldest
brother. He was not educated with the
view that he would assume the response
b,lities of that illustrious position. and
when the mantle Of the Czarowitcn lell
upon him he had reached an age at which
II was not to be expected that his meth
DDS Of thought and his convictions
would yield readily to the impressions
of a new curriculum. He was a Russian
OF Russians, with little knowledge OK
state craft, and less knowledge OF the
outside world. Nicholas. on the contrary
was born to the throne. The sceptre was
continually waved before his eyes, and
his entire education has been In the d.
rection OF preparing him to WELD It. NOT
only that, but he has travelled great
deal, thus familiarizing himself by per-
sonal observation with the economic ana
social conditions existing under more IL
beral forms Of government.
When this Is considered, We can well
understand that II Nicholas Is indeed
strong character. and shall choose to
take his grandfather rather than his
father as a model, q brighter future Is
about to dawn for Russia
Alexander II. Is one OF the great MS
tcric figures Of this century. not less by
reason of what he did for the regenera-
ton Of Russia and the expansion OF MS
Empire. than by reason Of the influence
hs had in shaping events and rendering
necessary the present treaty conditions
OF Europe. Not only did he emancipate
the serfs, institute radical governmental
reforms In Russia proper. annex vast
areas Of territory in ASIA and draw
closer to Constantinople. but he succeeded
IN abrogating the conditions Of the treaty
of Paris in so far as they debarred Rus
sis from maintaining an armament IN
the Black sea. The result Of this latter
triumph was to render the unity OF Ger
many attaInable and later on bring about
the Triple Alliance.
While 1t 10 true that It would be hazard
ous for Nicholas TO move on Constants
NOBLE 10 long as the Driebund continues
there Is nothing to prevent him from
Initiating his grandfather's policy In other
respects He would thereby put Russia
in position to force her way to the Medi-
terranean, when shall arise such compli-
cations as will compel the tripartte
treaty to go to pieces. and thus aid Inn
u,ensely in laying the foundation for the
upbuildins Of a civilization In his realms
that can never be perfected until the
Cars absolutely control Stamboul and
the Turkish power In Europe shall have
been utterly crushed out.