New-York tribune., 1904-09-07


as aifianced to many different princes and even
soFereiSns, tnat tho news of her engagement to
Grand Duke Aiehael, the only brother of the Gar,
VIII DC received with incredulity until Official con-
nrmation Is given 10 the rumor Should the mar
riage take place. it wouid be undoubtedly due to
the influence OF the Empress's mother. VINO IS
fond OF the daughters of the Prince of Montene-
gro and II would constitute q somewhat tardy act
OF reparatlon TO the reisning house or the Black
Mountains. Princess Xenia. with her sisters was
brought up at St Petersburg at the expense and
under the personal direction of the widowed
Empress, who bestowed upon the girls the most
motheriy care and never made any secret OF her
desire and intention that one of them, preferably
Helen. should become the wife Of the Czarewitch,
now Emperor Nicholas
The Gar, however. fell in love with Princess
Alix Of Hesse instead. and insisted upon marrying
her. his mother making attempt to conceal her
disappointment, while Princess Helen had been
10 such an extent regarded not only at the court
OF ST. Petersburg but also throughout Europe as
the future CZarins that when Nicholas bestowed
his affections elsewhere she looked upon as
having been Tilted couple of years later she was
led to the altar by the present King OF ltay ana
the Car did his best TO atone for the mortifcauoh
to which she had been subjected at St petersburg
by furnishing her dowry. her trousseau being gwen
by his mother.
Princess Xenia has already been actually
affianced. namely 10 the late King Alexander OF
Serva. The match duly negotiated by the
plenipotentiares OF tho respective nations But
when the Servian King arrived at CettinJe TO clrl
his bride the beautiful high spirited girl was 90
Mortified by his appearance and by MS ihdlleiH
that she insisted breaking off the engagement
then and there IN spite Of all that her father
could say TO the contrary. and the i'll fated King
was forced to return to Belgrade alone. so pro-
foundIy Inundated by his treatment at CettinJe
that diplomatic relations between the courts oA
Montenegro and OF Servia were severed
The hand OF the Princess Xena was likewise
sought by Prince Andrew of Greece. while there
have been reports from time to time that queen
Helen of Italy had negotiated match between
her sister and either the Count of Turin or the
Duke OF the Abruzzi. first cousins OF her husband
In the line of succession TO the Italian throne.
Prince Ferdinand Of Bulgaria is said TO have been
another suitor for her hanG, while 1t mas evep
been asserted that she was about TO marry her
brother-in-isw. the present King OF SerVla- whose
wife was her eldest sister.
There is doubt that marriage between the
Grand Duke Michael and Princess Xenia would be
a popular in Russie, far more so than II the
grand duke TO wed any of the German or
English princesses who have been mentioned
suitable matches for him. For the Princess Aenia
belongs 20 the creed as himself and, having
been brought up by his mother at st. Petersburg
would find herself quite at home in Russia. where
she would be looked upon in the Hight OF a
foreigner. Her two elder sisters are already es-
tabIished in RussIa-one tbs wife OF the Grand
Duke Peter. the other the consort of Duke
George OF Leuchtenberg. who. although not a grand
duke. is nevertheless. imperial hghness
With regard 70 the dynastic and political impor-
ance the match IL is only necessary to recall the
fact that the Emperor recently issued decree pro-
claiming Grand Duke Michael regent OF the empire
in the event OF his death during the minority OF the
Czarevtch Alexis who was born month ago.
Princess Xena might. therefore. IL she became the
wife OF the Grand Duke Michse. md herself at any
moment the eonsort of the virtual ruler OF Russia
for a number Of years. with only the life of young
Alexis between her husband and the throne. BY
the marriage Grand Duke Michael would become
brother-in-iaw of the King OF italy, as well as of
King Peter OF Servia. relationships which would
not be without much pohtical importance were he
10 become either regent or Emperor.
With the exception Of Princess Xenia's two sis
ters above mentioned, and Of Grand Duchess
George. who is q daughter OF the King Of Greece.
ana OF Grand Duchess Alexander Michaelcvitch.
who is the Cars sister. all the other wives of the
Russian grand dukes have been German prin-
cesses The German strain in the Aood Of the
reigning house of Russia is not popular with ths
people who complain that these repeated mat
rtuonial alliances with Teuton princesses for
hundred years past have served almost TO oblter-
ate every vesfire OF the old Romanon stock. II iA
on this account that the grand dukes marriage
10 q siav princess will be hailed with satisfaction
BY the Russian nation.
MARoUTsE DE FoNTENoY