Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-30
GRAND DUKE NICHOLAS
His Dungeon Gates Will Be Open
ed to Admit Death.
The Intcrcession OF the Doomed Mans Sis
ter, Queen Olga. soncns the Heart of
the Gar and Secures the Brothers Par
don.

1t is rumored in high circles here that
Grand Duke Nicholas Constantine
after serving twenty-five years of a
life imprisonment sentence at Task
kend. in Siberia, is 10 be released and
permitted to return to Russia. or to
the home of Queen Olga to die. The
reason for the clemency of the Gar
and the communication of the Grand
Dukes sentence is that he is rapidly
approaching death from tuberculosis.
ana The Queen, his sister. is anxious
thas he should be permitted the COM
Iorts of her home before death relieves
ms suferings finally and places him
neSond the pale OF human aid. The
Gar has received the Queen and en-
tertained her in his palace for the past
fortnight. where she has been con-
stantlN at the side of the Czarina dur
ing her confinement. The condition OF
ms wife and her desire that he should
extend clcmcnCy to his uncle has prob
aoiy done more toward achieving the
queens object than any appeal for
SfChotas is dISposcd TO regard the
Grand Duke as a dangerous and UNI
safe criminal to be abroad
The Grand Duke has certainly given
NlcnclaS reason enough for his opinion
WIN regard TO his dangerous character
Ever since his exile 10 Siberia the royal
prince has been confirmed Nihilist.
making no effort TO conceal his yioV,s
He SAYS that he was the victim of tho
injustice of the Russian Court, and
has suffered Il degradation and an i'm
prlSonmcnt that is worse than death
and means If he is ever free to accom-
p!ish his ends to wreak vengeance on
those in authority in Russia OF
~ 1fnt SC. L.,
doinSs Is only reported By hearsay BY
those who are connected with the gov
erment service in Siberia but there l.;
every reason to believe that the state
ments arc true, since Il was the aVovel
purpose OF Car Alexander to release
the prisoner shortly before his death.
and that his intention was only
changed when he learned of the pain
1ul views that his relative entertained
toward the crown and the government
\ SISTERS LOYALTY.
The Grand Duke was not generally
believed To be the victim of a conspira-
cy when he was sentenced to Danish
ment. He was thought to have been
allowed greater liberties than he de-
served ut that time. His cscapadcs.
and later his crime against the Car.
certainly brought the greatest discrcdit
on the royal family, and ii was not for
years after that the Czarina recovered
from the shock of the discovery of his
guilt. Queen Olga alone stood by him
anu maintained that her brother was
of royal flesh and blood. and while he
deserves the seNerest censure should
be allowed to escape with no actual
punishment Since his exile she has
been his untiring champion and used
every influence to secure his release. 1t
is only since the news of his fatal ILL
ness. however. that She has felt as
sured TO obtaining her desire.
LOVED AN AMERICAN
The Duke was enamored with an
American woman. a Philadelphia. by
the way, it will be remembered Fanny
Lear was the name by which she was
known throughout Europe. though her
real name was Mrs. Hattie Blackboard
He followed her about ST. Petersburg.
and later throughout Europe, and Law
tShed upon her everything that the
widest eXtraVaganCes of wealth could
conceive. She received his favors with
alternate GOODNESS and warmth. follow
ing the capriCes and whims of her
class. and finally turned her back upon
himself and his family by stealing his
mothers jewels and finally those of the
imperial treasury ut ST. Petersburg.
She was compelled. however. TO dis
gorge all of the treasures that he gave
her when the final denouement was
made. and in spite of the protests of
the United States Charge D'Afairs was
eSiled from Russia.
THE LOVE DEGRADED.
The Grand Duke. however. was not
so easily let Off. He MnS denriynd of
all the honors of his birth and all his
military dignities. When publicly re-
prmanded it is said that he threatened
the Car and for this his exile to ST.
IBERIA was extended from a ten year
sentence to a life imprisonment
1t is surprising that he withstood The
rigors of his confinement as well as he
did. though he was treated with every
conSidera ton compared to the other
unfortunatcs condemned TO exile. He
had already been broken of the wild
life that he led and it was thought that
his constitution could not long with
stand the ravages of disease and the
stress OF his years But in spite OF
everything that was predicted with re
gard to his short life 1t was not un:il
siX months ago that he was actually
brought low. Then he was discovered
to have consumption. ana it is expect
ed that he will not survive more than
six months longer.
What action the Car will take and
the reception OF his decision by the
Duke is awaited with interest.