Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-04
THE CzAA '0F RUSSIA
Richest andysMost Powerful
Ruler III the World.
HIS QUIEf HOME LIFE
HOW HE AppEAhs TO THOSE WHO
KNOW HIM.
What Manner OF Man He is-The
Czarina and Her Chill
dren.
Copyright. 1908. by Frank G. c.rpenter.)

VopyriSht, 1eVo, W frank u. CarpentetD
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star
ST. PETERSBURG.
I want to tell you something about the
Car of Russia as he looks. acts and rules
in this good year 1903. His life is no secret
from his people. Anyone may see him al
most any day driving about his palaces in
the country near here. and now and then
in an open carriage riding through st.
Petersburg itself. He has discarded
many of the guards which were kept dur
ing the reign Of his father. The cavalry
does not now line the streets when the car
goes out driving. Police spies are reduced
in number. and the force of Russian de-
tectives scattered over the world has been
is no coward. He realizes his danger. but
prefers to take the risk rather than have
the annoyance of the police.
What kind of a man is the czar? In per-
sonal appearance he is not impressive. He
is now thirty-five years old. and might be
said to be In his prime. He Is rather
slender than heavy and considerably under
size. He is sensitive as to his height, and
always stands or sits at the front when his
photographs are taken. SO that the camera
will exaggerate him. His lack of stature
comes from his legs. which are too short.
From the waist up he is as tall as the
average Russian. which means very tall,
and when he is on horseback or sitting he
looks like other men. In this respect he is
like Napoleon Bonaparte and Phil Sheridan.
both of whom were long bodied and short
legged.
The car is a blonde He has a fair ROSY
skin and bright blue eyes. His beard is
brown and he wears it full. He has white
teeth and pleasant smile. His forehead
is high and full and his face an honest one.
The Gear a Gentlemen.
Some of the best descriptions have
heard OF the car have been from members
Of his court here at ST. Petersburg, men
who know him intimately and who are
closely associated with him day after day..
The best expression of his character seems
to be that he is Russian gentleman. He
is without ostentation. He has none of the
hard worker but hA Jacks the spectacular
strenuousness of e{ff President. He is
noted for his Kindness to his servants, his
retiring disposition and his love for his
people. -Tahf
The car avoids crowds and pomp of all
kind and preferst to 1--we in the country. He
has three palaces near st. Petersburg.
where he spends most of his time with his
china and Peterhof. He has also a country
home in the Crimea and other places near
here in addition to great palaces at the
capital and in Moscow. Wherever he Is his
ministers at his residence and with them
goes over matters of state. He keeps a
close watch of the empire and in a general
way has a large part in its direction.
A Family Man.
4 Nicholas II Is good husband and a low
ing father. He would be called a good
family man anywhere. His wife is with
him the greater part of the day and even
ing. She sits in his room while he works,
and at his request often stays there when
he has important callers.
When her majesty was quite i'll some
years ago the car spent the most Of his
time at her bedside and as she got better
he transacted much Of his business there.
He had his desk and papers brought into
a window recess of her majesty's chamber
and there he worked until she was up and
out again.
His majesty usually rises at 8 o'clock
and at takes tea with the empress. A
half hour later he goes to his study to read
the newspapers. and at II is ready to re-
ceive his ministers and attend to his CORE
spondence. He has luncheon little after
noon. and at it's close usually takes a drive
with the empress. Upon his return he
goes to work. and sticks at it for the most
of the day. He dimes at s. and spends the
evening with his family.
Four Children, All Girls.
The car has four children. and much to
the regret of his subjects they are all girls.
According to the law which now prevails as
to the Russian succession. the ruler of the
empire must be a man. and If the emperor
should die without a son, his eldest brother,
the Grand Duke Michael, who is now
twenty-one would be his successor.
1t is said that the cZarina feels terribly
because she has no boy, and all sorts Of
stories are given as a cause of this calam-
ity. One Of the strangest is that 1t comes
from a curse which Greek priest uttered
against her shortly after she assembled the
throne. According to the Russian law the
royal family must worship after the re-
really the head of the church, and after her
marriage the empress began the study of
this religion with the intent to adopt it.
This priest was her instructor, and he
seems to have been an egotistical fellow
At any rate he became very angry one day
when her majesty, who had grown tired of