The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1897-02-11

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, and 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 tine 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. Shishltin was born in 1880, and 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 a
Princess Shakovski, is said to be one of
the ablest female politicians in st. Pc
tersburg, and envious tongues assert
that she is far abler and more sue
| cessful diplomat than her husband.
Nine. 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-
4uently 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
was attracted probably by the handsome
dover bestowed on her by the old car.
| These and other stories are being re-
vamped by Shishkin's opponents, but it
is improbable that they will affect the
new chancellor's hold on the affections
Of young Nicholas.
1t is pleasant to turn from the in
trigues of European courts to repub-
lican America. The handful of royal
lists who still maintain the semblance Of
an organizat tion in various cities in Bra
I'll, for the sole purpose of sneering at
the democratic government established
after the expulsion of Dom Pedro, re-
|
ago when President Prudente de
Moraes retired from his high office on
| account of illness aud was succeeded by
| DR.. Manuel Nictorino Pereira, who was
elected vice president of the United
States of Brazil in 1893. The important
governmental change caused scarcely
ripple-conv!ncing 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 80, 1854. He attended
the public schools of his native town,
and, unaided by his father, who was 3
cabinet-maker in humble circum-
stances, prepared himself for admission
to the College of Medicine. From this
institution he graduated in 1876, win
ming professorship in a competitive
examination six months later. He COM
pleted his medica! education by making
a tour of the principal hospitals of En'
rope. On his return he was elected
president of the Bahia Medical college,
and soon was recognized as the fore
most physician and 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 a.
much as any other individual agitator
Emperor Dom Pedro, recognizing the
patriotism of the young medical man
appointed him vice president of Bahia
but Pereira declined the position be.
cause he was republican and not in
sympathy with the monarchy. Subse
quently he became leader in 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
vation to the presidency, on account O.
President de Moraes' shattered healtl,
vas equally unlocked for.
! G, ". WE4PPIEaT,