The Washington times., 1894-07-29

one of the few pleasures of Russias unhappy
autocrat, but this season it will be abandoned.
At present he does no. venture to leave his
dominions. Those who oppose him speak
with dynamite argue with bullet r,dicule
with knife. HIS greatest fear is not the loss
OF popularity. or the discomfort of his sub
jects, but instant and painful death. single
point lett unguarded, a warning misread by
the police, one soldier recreant 10 his trust,
and the Gear may stumble dead into an open
grave.
A member Of one OF the foreign legations
who recently visited Gatschina gives me some
interesting details of the life OF the imperial
household. Picked soldiers guard the Car
day and night and the strictest discipline
prevails in the fortress-castle. My informant
in the journey from ST. Petersburg to Cats
china noted small detachments OF engineers
encamped at close intervals along the entire
line of the railroad Cossacks, singly and in
groups, were everywhere in evidence.
The diplomat and his attendants were met at
the station by one of the imperial carriages.
which at once set OF at full speed. Crossing
a strongly guarded bridge they were halted
at n huge gateway and compelled to show the
papers emitting them to admission. Then
they were shown to a wing OF the palace
where their papers were again inspected
after which the diplomat was conducted to
the apartments reserved FOR him. An hour
later an officer came to conduct him to the
Car
Then ascending grand staircase. and
crossing another hall, both closely guarded,
he was conducted into a small drawing room,
whence a gentleman-in-wa led him into
the reception room of the Gar. The latter,
the diplomat informs me. gives painful proof
of the fearful strain to which he has been
subjected during the past few months. His
face is gloomy and troubled and covered with
1,....a ~
nlaes the ultimate hopelessness of the strug-
gle autocracy is wacing and his own pitiful
poweriessness, surrounded though he be by
the evidence OF limitless and desrotic power.
On the way to the central portion of the
palace hs observed that the steps were
throDged with sentries, who at the approach
OF the diplomat and his guide, loudly
grounded arms. Next they passed through
a large nall, where hundred soldiers of tie
guard were on duty. Here the visitor was
again compelled to exhibit his warrant of ad-
mission.
The Gar is wrestling blindly with his fate;
at the same time his subjects are cautiously
repeating the sinister prophecy. long current
in Russia. that he and his soIs are doomed to
quick coming death. and that at no distant
day the imperial crown will be worn by his
brother Vladimir. No one seems to know
how or where this prophecy had its birth, but
certain it is that it has gained deep hold on
the Russian people, and at the present mo-
mept lends singular interest to the person.
ality of the MN to whom it refers.
The Grand Duke VIaiimir is the oldest and
ablest brother of the Car. A soldier by pro-
fession. he is also man OF culture and re-
fined tastes. He possesses uncommon energy
and force of character. delights in the So
eiety of men of intellect and culture and
accommodates himself readily to every s:tua-
ton in which he may happen to fini himself.
He is credited with literal and progressive
opinions. and it is said that had the Czar
taken the Grand Dukes advice he would
never have entered upon the reactiosary
course that has characterized his reign. but
would have prosecuted the reforms their
father was projecting at the time OF his
death.
Some of the men who accept force as the
readiest and surest method by which to right
their wrongs, believe that the shortest. most
effective road to Russian emancipation lies
through a series OF fatalities that will bring
Vladimir to the throne, and students of Rus
sian events would do well to keep this con-
viction carefully in mind during the next
lew months. W. A. R.