The Mena weekly star., 1897-01-13


 quite we'll known in the United States at that time, not as diplomat, but as manager of the memorable tour of Grand Duke Alexis to this country. From Washington he went to Athens, Greece, md after that to Stockholm, Sweden. From the latter post he was recalled, in 1891, to take charge of the Asiatic department of the foreign office at St. Petersburg, receiving the ranks of general and acting secretary of state. When Prince Lobanoff died the czar re- quested him to act as minister of foreign affairs, and his eventual ap- pointment to that position, the highest in Russia's official life, was foregone conclusion.
 Nj. Shishkin was born in 1880, md re- ceived his education in the Imperial AL exander Lyceum at St. Petersburg. He is thorough Russian, opposed to for eign influence of any kind, and not as favorable to the French alliance as was his predecessor. His wife, who was Princess Shakovski, is said to be one of the ablest female politicians in St. Pe- tersburg, and envious tongues assert that she is a far abler and more suc- cessful diplomat than her husband. Mime. Shishkin is a near relative to the charming young woman who was mar ried to Grand Duke Alexis, without his fathers permission. The czar subse- guently declared this marriage null and void, and Alexis was sent off to visit the United States and incidentally forgot his marital troubles. His wife went to Ger many and married an army officer, who wasattracted probably by the handsome dover bestowed on her by the old czar. These and other stories are being re- vamped by Shishllin's opponents, but it is improbable that they will affect the new chancellor's hold on the affections of young Nicholas.
 it is pleasant to turn from the in- trigues of European courts to repub- lican America. The handful of royal ists who still maintain the semblance of af organization iii various cities iTi iTa- gil, for the sole purpose of sneering at the democratic government established after the expulsion of Dom Pedro, re- ceived wholesome lesson a few days ago when President Prudente de Moraes retired from his high office on account of illness and was succeeded by Dr. Manuel Victorino Pereira, who was elected vice president of the United States of Brazil in 1893. The important governmental change caused scarcely a ripple-convincing proof that the re- public is safe from royalist attacks.
 The new president, whose time will expire in 1898, was born in the state of Bahia, January 30, 1854. He attended the public schools of his native town. and, unaided by his father who was cabinet-maker in humble circum- stances, prepared himself for admission to the College of Medicine. From this institution he graduated in 1876. win ming a professorship in competitive examination six months later. He com pleted his medical education by making tour of the principal hospitals of Eu- rope. On his return he was elected president of the Bahia Medical college, and soon was recognized as the fore most physician ard surgeon in Brazil. In 1885 he became editor of newspaper devoted to the abolition of chattel slavery, towards the extinction of which institution he contributed as much as any other individual agitator. Emperor Dom Pedro, recognizing the patriotism of tie young medical man. appointed him vice president of Bahia, but Pereira declined the position be- cause he was a republican and not in sympathy with the monarchy. Subse- quently he became leader Ia the re- publican movement. and was the first republican governor of Bahia His elec- ton to the vice presidency of the repub- lie came to him unsolicited. and his ele- yation to the presidency. on account of President de Moraes' shattered health, was equally unlocked for
 c. ". WEIPPIEHr-