New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-29

government which was on the eve Of being
promulgated when Alexander II was murdered
NINE. DE NEIIDOFT"s INFLUENCE.
In those days Nine De Nelidor was q woman
not only Of remarkable cleverness and wit but
also Of beauty. and, although Of late she has
become somewhat stout and mature. yet she
still retains much OF that charm for which she
was formerly renowned. She has borne the rep
utatiOn Of being the Egeria Of several prominent
statesmen. but the one who stood highest in her
good graces, and whose association with her
gave rise TO the greatest amount Of gossip both
at St Petersburg and in foreign capitals, was
Alexander Abaza. who died about two years
ago at Nice. AS long he was Minister Of
Finance he had OF course. peculiar facilities for
protecting the favOrite brother OF the object OF
his admiration. and after he resigned his port
folio the presidency of the Committee on Finance
of the Council Of the Empire was intrusted TO
him. post which still enabled him to WELD so
great an influence in the financial circles of tho
Government that General Annenkoff enjoyed en-
tire immunity. no charges against him being
entertained
1t vas during the great famine OF 1892 that
the present Gar who as Heir Apparent. had
been appointed by his father to preside over the
Commission organized for the relief of the suf-
ferers. became acquainted with Annenk0n
and with the defects Of his character.
These he brought TO the notice Of the late
Gar. who instituted investigation. But
those intrusted with the inquiry were aware
that much as Alexander III hated dishonesty
he detested scandal still worse, especially when
it related either directly or indirectly to any
connections Of his family. Moreover. there is
reason 10 believe that some OF the members OF
the Committee OF Inquiry entertained apprehen-
sons lest the results OF the Investigation might
involve their own kinsfok and friends.
At any rate nothing much done until
the advent TO the throne of the present Car,
who may be said to have begun his reign by
first Of all depriving General Annenkof Of all
further connection with the Trans-siberian
Railroad which was virtually the Generals CON
ception and scheme. and thereupon instructing
Count d. WHITE. the Minister Of Finance TO re-
orcarize the Committee OF Inquiry and to spare
no effort 10 find out the full extent Of the Cen
erals peculations.
In the hope II arresting the Investigation the
General dispatched to Paris the wen-known
Franco-Russan journalist. DR.. De Cyon The
iotter with the help OF his friend Nine Adam,
whose "Nouvelle Revue" ne had formerly sub
edited circulated in the Partisan press reports
J calculated II impeach the honesty OF the imam
cla! returns Of the present Minister of Finance
This OF course. rendered Emperor Nicholas sim
/ more embittered against Annenkof. to whose
dishonesty he ascribes the delay in the compile
ton OF the Trans Siberian Railroad. while IL
failed to stop the investigation
As soon as the inquiry was completed the re-
port was placed in the hands OF the Gar Inc
only mart thereof that was made public al 81
Petersburg was that relating 10 the Generals
instrumentation OF some SG,HO0oO OF the
famine fund The extent Of his frauds IN con-
nection with the Trans-Caspian and Trans-oi-
horian lines remains shrouded in mystery.
Their measure can be gathered only by the ex-
tent % the Generals thefts Of the money as
signed for the relief Of his starving feAow-coun-
! trvmen and by the depth Of the disgrace II
which he has spent the last two years OF his
I life.
/ II may be questioned whether this aVoiuAhc'
Of nublicitv in connection with what has Deer
described as "Russias Panama Is not on the
whole. more judicous and polite than the de-
etruction Of popular confidence IN the govern
inc classes that resulted from the laying bare
~ the entire civilized world Of ali the admins
trAtive and political rottenness IN c'hnec lloH
'..,,,, r,.a,..a.s Panama EX-ATTACHE