The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-12
PobiedonostzeR Is n Marvellous Old
Fanatic, with n Hatred for all
Modern Ideas.
A POWER BEHIND THE THRONE
HE a BEEN THE EVIL spirit OF
TwO CZARs IN SUCCESSION.
Has Vast Dreams of Russia's Expan-
sion, and Has Especial Dislike
for the United States.

considered, II Is probable that there Is no
other man living in all the world who has
caused so much suffering and hatred, or
who has been go powerful a foe OF all forms
: OF modern progress as Constantine Petro-
witch Pobiedonostzeff the son OF a peasant.
So little does his tremendous influence ap-
pear on the surface that his name would be
scarcely remembered IL 1t did not happen
TO be such q queer. formidable looking af-
fair. Yet It is not too much TO say that
he comes considerably nearer to being Car
OF Russia than Nicholas IL himself. He
has been the power behind the throne for
twenty years.
The man is OF especial interest just now
because he Is primarily responsible for the
Kishinef massacre OF Jews. which aroused
such Indignation In the United States. and
furthermore because he is the bitterest en-
envy that the United States has anywhere
IN the world. Whenever there has been a
question Of friendly cooperation between
Russia and her neighbor across the Pacific.
Pobiednostzeff's weighty opinion has al
ways been thrown against IL. His notion is
that orthodox and despotic Russia would
be contaminated by too close association
with tolerant and republican America.
while on the other hand America. where In
his opinion anarchy relgns supreme. would
be strengthened by the friendship of Rus
STA. The hostility of the procurator of the
Holy Synod is a factor which American
statesmen who seek an entente with Russia
always will have to face.
His ruthless fanaticism has broken up
thousands OF families. ruined countless men
Of the noblest character and driven the
best elements in Russia into a cruel exile.
Hts 1onn life has bean Hay0fo1 RI working
evil. unredeemed by one single act of char
ity or nobility. He has been the evil spirit
of two Cars in succession. Whenever their
better instincts ompted them to break
loose from the traditions of Russian des-
potism and Russian tyranny. Pobiedon-
ostzen has always been at hand to turn
them back. His hands are stained with the
blood of the countless massacred Jews.
knouted peasants and bludgeoned students
and workingnen.
GRIP ON THREE EARS
The story of the Russian Pope's rise from
pIebeian beginnings to the highest position
open 10 a subject of the Car Is the best
proof of PobiedOncstzeff's wonderful energy
and ability. His father was a poor peasant
in the province of Kharkoff. but Constan-
tine Petrovitch was not content 10 follow
In the paternal footsteps, and worked his
way TO Kief to study at the university
there. The village priest in his native place
aided him in taking this first step in his
career. and the assistance thus given to him
laid the foundation of the fanatical devo-
ton to the interests of the Orthodox Greek
Church, which has subsequently been bis
most prominent characteristic. The young
man had a brilliant university career, and
left Kieff to study law In St. Petersburg,
where he continued his close connection
with clerical circles.
Thanks. partly TO his exceptional abih-
ties and partly TO the influence which was
exercised in his favor in the interests of
orthodoxy, he was summoned at an early
age 10 be professor of law at Moscow Uni
versity, and a year or two later he was
selected TO be tutor to several grand dukes
CT the imperial family, including the one
who afterward became Car Alexander Ill.
His duties as tutor brought him into contact
With the ~reigning Gear, Alexander III, and
he contrived TO secure his high favor, while
gradually Tightening his grip on the mind
and intellect of the future Gar. He rose
to be privy councillor and senator.
When Alexander III was assassinated and
Alexander III assembled the throne of all
the Russias Pobiedonostzef reaped the har-
vest for which he had been carefully SOW
ing. The new Car made him procurator of
the Holy Synod. and chose him to be his
chief political adviser. so that Pobiedonost-
zeff became at one stroke the Pope of the
Orthodox Greek Church In Russia and the
chancellor of the Russian empire.
The last twenty years OF Russian history
have proved that Ii was a misfortune for
Russia and for the world that PobiedOn-
ostzeff was chosen to fill this position. TAX
ing advantage OF the deep impression caused
by Alexander lis tragic death. he sue
ceeded In inspiring the new ruler with a
deep hatred of progressive thought and of
progressive men. Loris Melikoff. the gifted
author OF the Constitution which Alexander
II had been on the point of promulgating
for the better government OF Russia when
he fell a victim TO the assassin's bombs.
was driven into retirement, and Pobiedon~
astzeff surrounded the new Gar with men
who shared hiss own political opinions.
VAST DREAM OF EMPIRE.
All his life Pobiedonostzeff has been in
spired by two ideals. which he has striven
with the whole force OF his iron will to
realize or to bring within sight Of realiza-
ton. One Is that the Slavs are the chosen
people. destined TO be the ruling race Of the
world. The other Is that the doctrines of
the Greek Orthodox Church are the only
allowable form OF the Christian religion and
as such destined TO predominant over all
other forms Of belief held throughout the
world.
He dreams of a Russian empire that
would include the whole OF the continent of
Asia. the other powers interested i'm the
far East having been elected from China;
the English. with their dangerous ideas of
political liberalism and religious federation,
driven from India. and the Shah deposed to
make room for a Russian governor gen.
eral az Teberan.
Moreover, P-obiedonostzen's ambition
would not halt az the boundaries of Asia,
Russia, according 10 his scheme OF the uni
verse. ought &c swallow up all the Balkan
States. together with Turkey and Greece
thrown I'm as a tempting morsel TO give
Russia a foothold In the Mediterranean
Austria. too. being a country In which the
majority OF the inhabitants are sIavs. is
regarded by PobIedonostzen as a future
Russian province.
In this vast Russian empire. embracing
the whole OF Asia and more than half