The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-24
Russia's Ruler is Disappointed ,
Moody and Disguised.
His Efforts to Better Conditions
Mostly Have Failed.
IS UNDER A SPELL.
Said to Be HypnOtized by an
American Physician.
RumOrs of an Enforced Abduc-
ton Are Abroad.

st. Petersburg, Nov. 24.-It has been
learned that the recent sumrnoning of Dr.
Merzhievsky one of the foremost spe-
cialists in nervous diseases, to the south
of Russia, which gave rise to the report
that he was going to attend the car or
the cbarina, both their majesties hav-
ing in turn been alleged to be suffering
from melancholia, was to visit Balaklava,
where the Grand Duke Nicholas Konstan-
tinovitch is detained as insane
Some observers of the situation do not
believe that the accession of the Grand
Duke Vladimir, uncle of the car, to
the throne, in the event of the cars alb
dication and the death of his brother, the
Grand Duke Michael the heir presump-
tive would ba unpopular and they do not
credit that the advent to supreme power
of the Vladimir family would materially
alter the existing state of affairs, as the
masses are ignorant in regard to every
cars true character and the educated
people attach merely subordinate import
ance thereto. The possible effect of the
Draconian system under sterner ruler
the prospects of a possible revolution
airy movement is regarded as idle specula-
ton.
The latest reports about Philip, the
mesmerist, who is said to have the czar
completely under his influence are that
he is former French physician, nat
uralized American and that he has been
in Russia about year, living in the
homes of two Montenegren princes, who
married Russians. 1t is added that the
car granted Philip license to practice
medicine in Russia and to wear the
epaulets of a military surgeon of rank of
councillor of state, which equals that
of general Finally, it is asserted, that
the court physician. DR.. OFT, went to
Livadia and succeeded in persuading the
czar to forbid Philip to practice on the
cZarina and the departure of the minis
tiers of war, of the interior and of finance
from Livadia was interpreted a sign
that Philips influence was broken. 1t is
also said that these ministers jointly pre-
scented a report to his majesty discredit-
ing Philip. that the car defended Philip
and resented what he classed as interfer-
ence with his personal affairs. but finally
yielded This is looked upon in some
quarters as evidence that the optimistic
statements on the subject of the cZar
mental condition require limitation. Num-
erous persons who have returned from
4 Livadia within the past three days assert
that the car has been moody and dis
! gusted because his early hopes of intro
ducing a happier regime in Russia were
1 frustrated by the reactionists. whose in
timidation imposed distasteful report
upon him. His majesty was also said tc
be in genuine fear that his abdicatior
would be demanded, which was
strengthened by the sudden return of the
Grand Duke Michael and the latter
demonstrative public appearances. Per
sons knowing the car assert that if he
was forced to choose between the throne
and domestic happiness he would abdi
/ cate.
The acceptance of lucrative but import
ant Enthusiastically of Apanages by thu
cars bosom friend Prince Obolensky. ::
interpreted as going to cover before
possible changes which might destroy thu
value of his personal influence
In any case the minister's departur
from Livadia possibly indicates that TIL
crisis is past.