Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-11-24
Reports Regardidg the Mental
Condition of the Gar Not
Optimistic
soME TALK OF ARDlcATIoN
The Story That Both the Gear and
czarina Were Suffering From MeIan-
cholia Not Observation-Disclosures Dis
turbed by the Cars FriendIness To-
ward the Mesmerist Phillips.

st. Petersburg, Nov. 24.-It has been
learned the recent summoning OF Dr.
Merzhievsky, one of the foremost spec
aalists in nervous diseases, to Russia,
which gave rise to the report he was
going to attend the czar or czarinas or
both, their majesties having in turn
been alleged to be suffering from mel
aneholia, was to visit Balalslava, where
Grand Duke Nicholas Kovstantiloni-
atch is detained as insane.
Some observers of the situation do
not believe the accession of Grand Duke
vladimir, uncle of the car, to the
throne in the event of the czar's abdica-
ton and death of his brother Grand
Duke Micheal, heir presumptive, would
be unpopular and they do not credit the
reports that the advent to supreme
power of Vladimir family would ma
terially alter the existing state of af-
fairs, as the masses are ignorant in re-
gard to the czar'S true character and
educated people attach merely subordi-
nate importance thereto.
The possible effect of the Draconian
system. under q stern ruler on the pros
poets of a possible revolutionary move
ment is regarded as unpopular.
The latest reports about Phillip, the
mesmerist, who is said to have the czar
completely under his influence, are that
he is q former French physician,
naturalized American and that he has
been in Russia for about a year living
in the homes of two Montenegrin
princes, who married Russians.
It is added the czar granted Phillip the
right to practice medicine in Russia
and to wear the epaulettes of the mill
tary surgeon of the rank of councillor of
state, which equals that of general.
Finally, it is asserted the court physi-
clan. DR.. OFT, went to Livadia and sue
ceeded In persuading the czar to for
bid Ph,iipp tn practice on the czarina
and the departure of the ministers oi
war, interior and finance from Livadia
was interpreted as sign that Philips
influence was granted. 1t is also said
these ministers Jointly presented a re-
mort to his majesty discrediting Phil
ipp; that the czar defended Philipp ana
resented what he ciassed as interfer-
ence with his personal affairs, put nnal-
ly yielded. This is looked upon in some
quarters as evidence that the optimistic
statements on the subject of the czars
mental condition require limitation.
Numerous persons who have returned
from Livadia within the past three
days assert the car has been moody
and disgusted. because his early hopes
of introducing happier regime in Rus
sia were frustrated by the reactionists.
whose intimidation imposed distaste-
full role upon him. His majesty was
also said to be in genuine fear his abdi-
cation would be demanded, which was
strengthened by the sudden return of
Grand Duke Michael and the latter's
demonstration at public appearances.
Persons knowing the czar assert that II
he was forced to choose between the
throne and domestic happiness he
would abdicate. In any case the minis
ters, departure from Livadia possibly
Indicates that the crisis Is past