Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-24
CAR MAY ABD|CATE
Rumors From Russia Say He
is Melancholy.
ATTENDED BY Phillip
FRENCH PHYSICIAN SAID TO BE
A MESMERIsT.
Departure of Ministers From Livadia
Construed to Mean Crisis
Has Passed.
ATTENDED BY Phillip

ST. PETERSBURG. November 2.-It has
been learned that the recent sun1moning
of DR.. Merzhievsky, one of the foremost
specialists in nervous diseases, to the south
of Russia, which gave rise to the report
that he was going to attend the czar or the
czarina, or both, their matesties having
In turn been alleged to be suffering from
melancholia, was to visit Balaklava, where
the Grand Duke Nicholia Konstantinovich
Is detained as insane. Some observers or
the situation do not believe that the acces-
sion of the Grand Duke Vladimir, uncle OF
the czar, to the throne, in the event OF
the cars abdication and the death of his
brother, the Grand Duke Michael, the heir
presumptive, would be unpopular, and they
do not credit the reports that the advent to
supreme power of the vladimir family
would materially alter the existing state OF
affairs as the masses are ignorant in re-
gard to every cars true character, and
the educated people attach merely subordi-
nate Importance thereto. The possible eff
feet of the Draconan system under a
sterner ruler on the prospects of possible
revolutionary movement Is regarded as idle
speculation.
Latest Reports About Philip.
The latest reports about Philip, the mes
merist who Is said to have the car COM
pletely under his influence, are that he is a
former French physician, a naturalized
American. and that he has been in Russia
for about year, living in the homes Of
two Montenegrin princesses who married
Russians. 1t is added that the czar granted
Philip the right to practice medicine In
Russia and to wear the epaulettes Of
military surgeon of the rank of council
lor of state. which equals that OF general.
Finally, it is asserted that the court ply
tnIn nv 70 7 70 ~ Crro-
ceeded in persuading the czar to forbid
Philip to practice on the czarina, and the
departure of the ministers of war, of the
interior and of finance from Livadia was
interpreted a sign that Philips in
fluence was broken. 1t Is also said that
these ministers Jointly presented a report
to his majesty discrediting Philip. that
the czar defended Phillip, and resented
what he classed as interference 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 Cars mental condition
require limitation. Numerous persons who
have returned from Livadia within the past
three days assert that the cZar has been
moody and disgusted because his early
hopes OF introducing a happier regime in
Russia were frustrated by the reactionists,
whose intimidation imposed distasteful
role upon him. His majesty was also said
would be demanded, which was strength
ened by the sudden return of the Grand
Duke Michael and the latter's demonstra-
tive public appearances.
Gear May Abdicate.
Persons knowing the czar assert that IL
he was forced to choose between the throne
and domestic happiness he would abdicate.
The acceptance Of the lucrative but unin-
portant enthusiastically of Apanages by
the cars bosom friend Prince Obolensky,
Is interpreted "going to cover before
possible changes which might destroy the
value of his personal influence
In any case, the ministers departure from
Livadia possibly indicates that the crisis is
past.