Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-15
COUSIN in OMAHA
Duke Boris, Fourth Heir to Russian
Thr'ns, Passes Through City.
CIVIL AND MILITARY STAFF WITH HIM

AoSaA fourtat discusses
Question, Philippine Gable, Amer
lean and Russian Railroads,
and Denies Gambling story.
Duke Boris OF Russia, son of Grand Duke
Vladimir. cousin Of the czar and fourth in
line OF succession to the Russian throne.
was In Omaha for a brief period last night.
In company with a stan Of prominent civil
and military officials Of the Russian govern
ment, the duke PASSED through the city
enroute from San Francisco. where he
landed on American soil in his tour around
the world. The party reached Omaha at
11:iO on the Union Pacific Overland limited
and left within a few minutes for Chicago
ever the Northwestern.
Duke Boris and his party are on an eleven
months leave OF absence, having left st.
Petersburg October 7, 1901, and they will
arrive there November Z, next. provided
they make schedule time. Their itinerary
VIII have included every continent on the
globe. They spent a large amount Of their
time In the Orient. visiting through Japan,
IN which country Russia Just now feels a
deep concern. They will remain about a
month longer in the United States, spending
three or four days in Chicago and about
three weeks in New. York. They sail then
TOT the European continent, but will not
visit England.
Besides the duke his party is made up of
these celebrities: lie ChevaIier de schaeck.
his private secretary, who was formerly
secretary to the duke OF saxe-Coburg and
Gotha; Lieutenants Alexandra de Frider-
iaci. A. Greaves, strandsman, officers Of
the Fourth battalion Of the Imperial Fam.
lily sharpshooters, with the exception Of the
secretary; G. Greaves, who with the secre-
tary constitute the civil ofhcers Of the
party. t,.
Heirs TO Throne.
AS has been stated, Duke Boris is fourth
In the line Of car possibilities. The pres
ent heir apparent to the throne is Grand
Duke Michael. elder brother of Grand Duke
Vladimir, father Of Boris. This places VIad-
imir in second place for the czar's crown.
with Duke Cyrelle, elder brother of Boris.
third and Boris fourth.
Duke Boris does not look the part of a
car just at present, nor does he seem to
De willing away any Of life's happy period
anticipating his accession. He bears his
70 years with no unusual dignity. although
there is a Certain decorum about his general
demeanor which might mark him as a roy
alist. His manner Of speech aud action
Is quick, sharp, almost abrupt. In appear
ance he is somewhat prepossessing.
The duke converses in about seven or
eight languages, but sim cannot be con-
sidsred q very talkative man. He Is pas
sionately fond Of cards. When asked about
the reports that he lost, a fabulous sum
OF money in = game on a steamer enroute
from the Orient to San Francisco. he be-
Ssils indignant anu curly replied:
ITS a lie. There is not the least truth
IN that report, and ! am amazed that Il
should ever have been circulated
luke Boris manifested great interest in
the Manchurian question, when he said:
The Russian government and the Rus
sian people regard Manchuria now as part
OF their W territory and government. We
look upon that matter as fully and rightly
settled and we are naturally delighted at
the outcome. Great danger was threatened
for a WHILE II outside reports could have
been taken asrany criterion hut to us In
Russia there was little real apprehension"
Pleased over Cable.
The cable to the Philippine islands was
another question in which the royal tourist
displayed keen interest.
why, that cable from San Francisco to
Manila is a great thing for the cars coun-
try. 1t forms a circuit eventually, which
gives Russia cable communication directly
with the United States and thus brings
the two nations into closer relation, poIitio-
ally and commercially. It's a great thing,
that cable. Suppose Russia was to become
involved In q war with England, It would
not have to suffer the embarrassment and
danger OF using England's cables to estab-
lish communication with the United States,
but would be able to communicate directly
over its own cables with the American ma
ton"
How do the railroads Of America com,
pare with those Of Russia? ?" was asked the
duke. 4
"Wsll,. you have superb railroads and
railroad accommodations In this country, to
be sure he replied. "but we have Just as
fine service over in our country and get 10
for far less than yours cost you. For in
stance. we can travel from st. Petersburg
to Moscow, which is a distance about equal
to that from Chicago to New York. for
$1.15. Can you come up to that? But that
Is not all. We can go from st. Petersburg
to vladivostock, which is on the Siberian
Pacific coast. a distance Of 1000 miles from
the Russian capital. for se5 nrst-ciass fare
and sSs second-class.
''But would not think Of depreciating
the great worth and service OF your Ameri-
can roads. You have a great system in
this country. but when It comes 70 the ex-
pense of travelling we surpass you"
stays In his Car.
Duke Boris did not leave his private ear
while here, but many OF the party did long
enough to take a stroll around the Union
depot. The duke, after being interviewed.
took his place in his private cabinet and
was engaged in a friendly game with
two or three OF the party when the train
pulled out.
Jules Clerfayt, a Russian Of San Fran
| cisco. general passenger agent Of the Inter-
national Sleeping Car and European Express
company, arranged the routing Of the dukes
train across the continent and accom-
panies the party 20 New York giving his
personal attention TO the itinerary.
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