The San Francisco call., 1904-08-14

the second degree. thirteen cousins OF
-he third degree and one great-uncle.
THIS brother. his great-uncle, his uncles
and his cousins Of the first and second
degree are all Grand Dukes, with the
prefix Imperial Highness." while the
ef.uzins OF the third degree are only
Princes Of Russia with the prefix
"E ighness."
This makes a total Of thirty-four
male members Of the imperial house in
addition 10 the Gar himself, who are a
serious burden on poverty-stricken
Russia. for each Of them receives as
his birthright an income OF one million
srubies a year from the moment he sees
The light Of the world till the hour Of
his death. The present sum paid to the
Grand Dukes and Princes of the Rus
sian imperial house thus amount to a
total Of SIC. 100000 per annum.
As a matter Of fact. however, the
Grand Dukes have no need whatever Of
feeding on public taxes, for in the
course Of time. like most other imperial
and royal families. they have contrived
Ito accumulate immense estates all over
the country. Between them, these
thirty-three Grand Dukes and Princes
of the Russian imperial house own 5000
square miles OF land or about one-for-
teth part Of the entire territory in En-
ropean Russia Besides these vast es-
tates they possess no less than 325 pal
aces and castles and employ some 10000
domestic servants. hunkies and retain
ers. Il is a traditional rule that every
male member Of the Russian imperial
house shall be trained as an officer in
g The army or navy and that he shall
serve in one or the other OF them.
MIGHTY PERsONAGES.
The Grand Dukes enjoy many legal
ana social privileges in Russia. They
cannot be arrested, they cannot be
sued ia a public law court. nor can
they be subpenaed to give evidence in
public trial II any one desires to
bring an action at law against Grand
Duke he must lay his case before a
special tribunal constituted exclusively
for the pupose Of dealing with ntiga-
ton in which members Of the imperial
family are involved II the evidence Of
Grand Duke be required in a public
tr-2l commission OF judicial officials
must wait upon him in his private res
idence and take down his testimony
tlere. The Grand Duke Is not required
to swear TO the truth Of his deposi-
tons but his simple signature gives
he evidence the same weight and
value rs statements made on oath bv
ordinary folk
-A society the Grand Dukes receive
their due many marks Of respec+
fna honor equal 10 those enjoyed ex-
fi1sifely Dy monarchs in other Euro
peen countries. IN the army and navy
ire The Grand Dukes occupy q posi-
i-on hich does not depend on their
'.-k. DUt which is their birthright If
1n oi5cor- even II his rank is the hieb-
est. meets a Grand Duke in the street
ne ie obliged 70 take three stems baclr-
so. make half right or left about
-trn, IS the case may be. and stand ar
salute IN perfectly rigid position un-
his Imperial Highness is ten steps
aHay
on the other hand. the Grand Dukes
have 10 submit to certain dissdvan-
tases and drawbacks arising from their
nlsh rank The Car has absolute
poH er over them. so that with all their
rights and privileges they really live
IN q condition Of gilded bondage. They
cannot choose their own place of resi-
dcnce, they cannot leave Russia. on
tour Of pleasure. and they cannot mar
. ~ without the consent Of the Car. II
they oisobey and defy the Cars
wishes he can imprison them, confis-
cate their estates and Danish them