Kansas City journal., 1899-03-26

his fathers uncle and who was always
highly esteemed by the late car. 1t is
said that the chief reason why Nicholas
does not attend personally to state at
fairs Is his anxiety regarding the approach
ing confinement Of the czarina, and that
all reports to the contrary have probably
emanated from certain highly placed per-
sons In st. Petersburg. whose plans would
be upset by the birth of an heir.
That the question of succession should
cause some anxiety to the czar is not sur
prfsing. AS yet he has no son, and, in de-
fault OF a son. the natural heir to the
throne is his brother, Duke George. The
duke. however. Is a confirmed invalid. and
hence III qualified TO undertake the re-
sponsibility of ruling vast empire like
Russia. If he should waive his claim the
throne would by law pass to the nearest
male relative of the czar. for. according to
the statute, the crown OF Russia is to de-
scend only TO direct male heirs. and not
until this source of supply is exhausted
can II be transmitted to direct female heirs.
If the czarina gives birth to u boy. he
will. of course. be the heir; and In the
event of his fathers death before he at
tains his majority his principal adviser will
almost certainly be the old Grand Duke
Michael. Attempts may he made to sup
plant him. but his character and popular
ity are such that they will hardly succeed
A Popular Romnnon.
Notable indeed in many respects is this
great Musc"vite noble. In his youth he ap-
pears to have been rather reckless. and
Dukes Constantine and Nicholas. incurred
scme Odium. wing To charges of cOrrup-
tion that We're brought against them in
connection with the war against the Turks.
As 4 result. the Grand Dukes Constantine
and Nicholas We're deprived OF most of
their honors shortly after Alexander III.
to spend the remainder OF their lives in
banishment. their disgrace being notorious.
The outside world expected that Grand
Duke Michael would be treated in the
same manner. but he was not. On the
contrary, the late czar never ceased to re-
gard him with marked favor and affection.
never forgot that it was the Grand Duke
Michael who WAS the first to hasten to the
side of the dying czar after that latter had
been struck by a bomb In 1SSl. 1t was he
who supported his mangled brother in his
arms from the scene of the explosion to
that room in the winter palace where he
il was found that he was drenched from
head to foot with his brothers blood. Alex.
ander III. never forgot this. and Grand
Duke Michael could always rest assured
of his Indulgence and regard.
Grand Duke Michael is also noted for his
personal achievements. He was the car $
| and it was during his sway that the con.
quest of that country was completed. AT
the battle of Inkerman he obtained the
st. erfe h,s mat
of kars. ending In its capitulation,, took
| place. In 1853 he was made general field
marshal, the highest military distinction
| which is rarely conferred in Russia. and
| last. in 1881. he was made president of the
| council of the empire. the highest office
| In the state. In November. 1898. his jubilee
was ce,ebrated this being the 5oth ami.
| versary of his entry into the army. The
| enthusiasm manifested on this occasion
| was convincing testimony of the grand
| dukes popularity. which he owes rs much
| to his chivalrous character and affability
| as to the important part which he has
played in the destinies of Russia.
| Grand Dukes In Exile.
Several other grand dukes have met with
| quite different fate. There is the Grand
! Duke Nicholas Constantinovitch. eldest sor
| of the late Grand Duke Constantine Niko
lajevitCh. who now lives exile IL
Turkestan. having been deposed from al
| his offices and dignitieS. In his youth h,
| was charged with pilfering Jewels and hol.
| relies. which he gave TO an American
| woman, and for this cause he was ban.