The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-26
THE GOSSIP OF "A THRONE
Rusias Been Slave Polish
Power Behind
The Dancer Vienna

the dancer by his own word, in the hope
that heaven would bless him with an
heir to the throne, that it was brought
about by his devoted wife, who, while
grieying sorely over the continued friend
ship between the two, has never for a
day, ceased In her love for and sympathy
with the emperor.
The world in general has heard many
fragmentary stories about the czar and
czarfna, the formers persistent attentions
to the ballet dancer, the latter's unhappy
life, and has wondered what 1t Is all about.
Here it is in nutshell:
Russia wants male heir to the throne;
there Is nothing the car would not give
for one. He has had several sons by the
Polish girl, while the czarina has given
him none. Daughters he has a-plenty.
Some there are who forgive the empress
for failing to provide an heir, but the
people. the masses. take different view.
Give us an heir they say to the
faithful czarina. 'or step aside and let the
czar make another union"
The chief cause of these repeated de-
mands Is the dislike the Russian people
have for the Grand Duke Vladimir. The
duke is second in line to the throne, but
as Grand Duke Michael. the cars
younger, has long suffered from a vast
Ing disease and is likely to go into de-
cline any day. Grand Duke Vladimir is
virtually heir to the throne. The duke is
not bad sort of man; he Is even liked
by certain factions, but Is not favored by
the masses, who clamor constantly for an
heir at the palace.
1t ts readily to be seen that this con-
slant wall would have It's effect on the
royal family, yet what could be done7
The czar's father, Nicholas T., was much
concerned about his sons marriage He
favored the union with Princess Alix and
said he would not die until the ceremony
had been performed. The knot was tied,
but Its mission has not been fulfilled, And
the cars gravest fear Is that he will be
the one to break the long line Of consecu-
tive heirs to the Russian throne
Pleaded With Him.
There is little doubt that his latest move
was brought about by the influence Of the
empress For ten years she has pleaded
with him In her quiet, sympathetic way
10 give up the stake favorite and she be-
1eves that his prayer will be granted If
he but devote his life to his family
IN this she has been discreetly aided by
the ministers at the palace, as we'll as by
her closest friend and confidante, Princess
Cantacuzene. The princess, well-known
to all Americans as JULIA Dent Grant, has
| long been the czarina's dearest friend.
She is at the palace continually and can
get an audience when no one else would
be admitted.
recent performances at the Imperial
opera have been attended by large audi
ences, anxious to see Mile. Mathilde
ksches1nska the dancvr, who so long held
the affections Of the car Many other
dancers left st. Petersburg at the same
time as did Mile. Mathilde, but they did
not excite 50 much interest
1t was the cZar's fOrroo. Povor;+o ~.
people wanted to see. She was the chief
attraction, the cynosure Of all eyes. and
II reports are true, she seemed to enjoy
1t greatly.
The people Of Austria know this story
probably better than do the people on this
sue the Dig pond. They have been
watching the little romance for wears
and wondering how it would turn out. So
1T was not surprising that they went In
hocks and droves to give her a. rousing
welcome when they heard that the Rus
sian emperor had broken with the charm
ing pr1ma ballerina, and that she would
| soon be. in their midst, dancing herself
into their good graces.
| Incidentally the car made things very
pleasant for the girl before she left the
russian capital. She was given due com
pensation for the loss Of her royal lover
ministers there and in Vienna we're en-
gagged for several weeks in preparing fol-
ner departure and reception in Austria
likewise her future. She has become q
member for life of the Vienna opera. and
shares the title Of prima ballerina asso-
luta with Nine. Siromi, the star Of the
Vienna ballet.
| When Mile. Kschesinska left St Peters
burg she took with her twenty servants
ana IN Vienna engaged the so-called roya
apartments at the Imperial hotel These
are on the ground floor comprising eight
large rooms. AS soon as she was installed
IN ner new quarters she gave a tea, the
invitations to which numbered 100.
Dancer Has Fortune.
Estimates Of: her fortune vary from
| $4,000 900 to $1o,00o,o00. She has the fines
diamonds ever seen on a ballet dancer
showing them off recently at the Con
cordia ball. Her necklace is patterned
after the links of heavy chain, a mag
nh1cent plastron Of enormous diamond.
ana emeralds covering the front of hel
| dresSr Her earrings consist of fine large
diamonds and a tiara is Of some picked
stones.
Ever since she became acquainted will
the car, Mile. Kschesinska has lived II
the finest kind of style. She has hae
money to go anywhere she pleased and t.
90 what she liked. She danced at the
she felt like it, her influence at the bal.
ace securing her this privilege.
The cars love for this sprightly little
dancer Is not easy Of comprehension. II
lie she Is not very pretty nor has she
an attractive figure. Of diminutive size
ana graceful, with the assurance Of {
woman Of the world, she could easily hay,
made her way without the royal assist
ance that has been given to her. She |.
now thirty years of age
But the car loved her and she knew
how to retain that love. While the pla,
was on-and It lasted for more than ter
lyears-she could have anything she want
ed IN Russia, and did as she pleased prett,
much all over Europe. And tho her reig1
Is over in the first place in the car
heart, the claims Of ten years are appar
emily not to be lightly shaken off. and
VIII probably be some time before tn
influence Of the dancer ceases to be felt
So they say.
A WORN OUT soNo.
| Why doesn't some phflanthron,st Who re.r -. ).