Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-24
AFTER COuoxATION WHAT

On Tuesday will be presented the last
act Of the semi-barbaric spectacular
drama that has been going on in Moscow
and vicinity for nearly week. Tha'
act will be the browning Of the Car and
CzarinA At the brilliant and imposing
ceremonies will be represented all the
great civilized Powers Of the world, ana
hundreds Of semi-clvilized states within
and without the Cars dominlons. II Is
safe TO say that the gathering will be
one that in its paseantry will put to the
blush all previous demonstrations OF us
character in the Russian coronation city.
The occasion will be great historic
festival, and all who may participate as
representatives OF Power, state,
province, or tribe, will be there to
wish the royal couple JOY, and give Rus
STA assurances OF friendship.
And yet, in every capital in Europe
and in every court in the East, is being
whispered the question. After the coro-
nation. what? Alexander Ill, father OF
the present Car. Nicholas H., ascended
the throne amid the smoke of the Nihilist
This last-named Car was one of the
most progressive and liberal rulers Rus
sla has ever had. For a time the son
promised to improve on his fathers
liberalism and progressiveness, but soon
Instituted a reactionary policy, which was
continued until his death, which occurred
less than two years ago. Upon
Nicholass accession speculation was
rife as to what Europe might ex-
pect under his reign. on the one
hand, II was confidently declared that
he would prove a peace-lovlng monarch,
and inaugurate great internal reforms.
on the other 1t was held with equal con-
hdence that he had inherited the reac-
tionary spirit manifested by his father
during the latter part Of his life; that
his consuming ambition was TO consum-
mate the hope OF Moscow. which IS TO
get possession Of Constantlnople, and
that, as consequence. war at an early
stage of his lease upon power was IN
evitablc. BY some who professed TO
know whereof they spoke, 1t was as
serted that the new Car was weakling'
incapable Of originating or prosecuting
a vigorous policy. By others. who claimed
to be equally entitled to be heard, 1t
was contended that he was one OF the
ablest monarchs that had ever WELDED
the sceptre OF the Romanoffs and that
he was fully equipped for any work
either of reform or Of conquest he might
decide upon.
Nicholas has neither Instituted great
reforms within his domains nor entered
upon a career Of war, and we know
really little more of his character, ability
and views regarding war than we ala
the day he came to the throne. His reign
so far has been pacific. 1t has beeh
marked by no genuine war-scares, ana
we do not know whether he is ruler OF
a figure-head As TO whether he Is pur-
suing the bent OF his own will, or Is
guided by power behind the throne, we
are i'm the dark But we 10 know that
since he became Gar, Russia has at
tanned greater prestige in the far East
than ever before; has scored a most
important diplomatic victory In Bulgaria
and has gained the upper hand Of Great
Britain at Constantnople. 1t does not
follow that this means war; but we know
that there has recently been growing
SUSPICION that Russla's true policy under
Nicholas was to be concealed until AFTER
the coronation. Both Europe and the
East. therefore, cannot but feel uneasy
until it shall have been shown 70 what
purpose Russia designs to turn the adj
vantages mentioned. Hence. their ques-
ton.