The San Francisco call., 1896-05-24
plenipotentiaries and special envoys the
| day fixed for the coronation.
PALLID AND NERVOUS.
The Gar overwhe lined by Illness or
Depression.

Gcopyright, 1896, by the New York TirnesI
LONDON, Eng, May 23.-What strikes
one most about the great cumulative
pageant at Moscow is the novel effect it
is producing on the imagination on out
side nations. No one seems before to have
realized what a colossal thing Russia
really is, or what prodigious results must
follow when it begins to move about
Visitors there report, with curious unan-
unity, the discovery that the Russians be-
lieve they are on the point of becoming a
match for all Western Europe, quite by
themselves, independent of allies. They
say that the French entente may be use
full for the moment, but they shall not
need it much longer and certainly will nav
M price for it.
Everybody noted that the excessive os-
tentation of the foppery of the French
republics representation at Moscow is be-
ing sneered at and derided by the Rus
slams. Poor Paris fancied that it was 20
ing to make such hit with its imperial
carriages and its gorgeous Louis Quinze
para phernalia, but even the moujiks grin
and nudge each other at the spectacle and
1t is the principal joke of the upper-class
Russians. The contrast forced itself on
every one yesterday when Mr. Breckin-
ridge and his American suite went in SIM
pie citizens attire to the diplomatic re-
ceptlon given by the Gar, while the
French Embasssdor filled the street with
bedizened cortege of more than imperial
pretenslons. Cores spondents of the Lon
don papers describe the Russians as not
ing this distinction in republics with
sardonic comments, all to the disad-
vantage of their allies.
The Gar reveals himself as a pailid and
nervous figure, overwhelmed by either ILL
ness or settled depression. On all sides
are heard reports that he is in failing
health. The young Czarina's gayety is
suspected to be forced. She has the true
grit and courage of her maternal race. in
which the women at least still deserve to
be called "the fighting Guelphs," and she
will make stout struggle to maintain her
position, but | fancy that clouds are gath
erlng round the new reign. Both Nicho-
las and his wife are eager TO show in
small things their affection for England.
but the Russian Foreign Office is moving
implacably IN the opposite direction and
they are powerless to stop it.
1t is understood in Berlin that very soon
the elderly Grand Duke Michael. who is
the only important liberalizing force in
the dynastlc circle, is to retire from his
post OF President of the Council of State
and is to be succeeded by his nephew.
Vladimir, the Cars eldest uncle. No
change could be more eloquent of reaction
than this. There are the usual stories of
great reforms, amnesties and so forth to
be announced after the coronation. and il
is particularly specified that the burden of
press censorship is to be measurablv
lightened. 1t is true that the Russian ma
pers during the last six months nave en-.
ioyed astonishing freedom and it is posi-.
BILE that some ukase is intended to confirm
this liberty, but doubt if this or any other
amelioration will be permanent The drift
in Russia is the other way
1t becomes more and more apparent that
there is drift in France toward some
thing which is not republican. All the
polite quarters of Paris are to be decorated
Tuesday in honor of the crowning of the
autocrat of all the Russians, but the no.
litical purpose of this is so clear that all
the poorer parts OF the city, where the in.
habilants are democrats, will refuse to
hang out flag or to light candle. There
is a widespread suspicion that some plot
against the republic is brewing, and that
the apothesis OF the monarchial idea at
Moscow is being exploited TO further plans