The Washington times., 1904-05-22

Uncountable Precio=s Jewels-Whole
Blocks of Houses-Tremendous
Investments.
1t was reported from St. Petersburg
the other day, on semi-oficial author
ity, that the Gar had given about $780,
000,0Oc from his private treasury 10 Rus
sias war fund. Probably this is the
largest single gift ever made by an in
GIvidual donor to any cause.
But the Car can well afford It, He
Is unQuestionably the richest man on
earth. Even John D. RockefeIler's many
millions would look small by comparI-
son with his multitudlnous sources Of
wealth and the vast treasures boarded
for him by his ancestors. for the Ro-
manOrs were always a saving race. No
living man can tell the full extent Ct
his wealth, not even Baron Friederichs
the comptroller of the imperial house
hold.
Cars Private Fortunes.
The value of the Emperor's private
fortune and it's Importance in relation
to the affairs of the empire may be
gagged In some degree by the fact tina.
the baron, his private treasurer, is
counted among the greatest officers Of
state, and. is a member of the priri-
ciraI deliberative and consultative
councils. such as the committee of min
listers and the council Of state, which
help the Gar to direct the course OF
Russian policy.
The official revenue Of Nicholas Il
his salary. so to speak-is nearly 80
100000 per annum. 1t is difficult to az
rive at il exactly, for IL is paid in va
Iious ways and under many heads, and
the sum total f1uctuates from yea- to
year. But $40 100000 may be taken as a
fair average.
Cost Of State BAH.
1t is only small part Of his wealth,
however, and the expense OF maintain
ing his royal state more than accounts
for the vast sum- II he depends upon
his official salary he would find II hard
to make both ends meet.
His expenditures are almost incredI-
bic 1t is estimated that the magnil-
cent state ball which was given just as
the war with Japan broke out cost be-
tween 100000 and 100000 rubles. The
Cars gifts to the Orthodox Church in
the course Of the year average from
500. 900 TO 100000 rubies. Orthodox Rus
SLAMS sometimes complain-conhdentia
ly, OF course, that he is stingy in that re-
spect, in comparison with his predeces-
sors. On the other hand, the church
turns over large revenues 10 him, es-
timated TO exceed the amount which Il
receives.
Fortune in Precious Stones.
With the sole exception Of the Shah OF
Persia. the Car owns a greater fortune
in diamonds ana precious stones than
any man in the world.
The famous Orlon diamond Is only
the greatest star in an immense con
stellation. II was given to a previous
Car by a Count Orion. one Of whose
descendants was the famous Count Or
loff who devoted his life 70 improving
the breed Of Russian horses and Great
ed the "Orlofr horse" now used almost
exclusively by the Russian cavalry.
When Nicholas II was crowned a few
years ago the Emir OF Bokhara and the
Khan Of Khiva, his two principal vas
sal princes, Wed with one another in
making him the richest gifts within
their power The khan gave him a
priceless rope of pearls which is said TO
be the finest IN the world, besides dia-
monds. emeralds and rubies galore His
presents were estimated TO have been
worth. at the lowest computation, g, -
900; but they were unique. and no price
could really he put upon them.
His rival. the emir, was not far behind
him; and the hetman Of the Don Cos
DIT, Sui
came forward with some handsome con-
tributions. as did the leading mobiles and
princes Of the empire, 70 say nothing Of
foreign potentates
Born Both Lucky and Rich.
The Car is the Iuckiest man on earth
in the matter Of 'windfalls" His loyal
subjects are constantly leaving him
large sums OF money by will, which are
not always accepted. Delicate diplomacy
Is required 10 induce the Car TO ac-
cept n legacy.
AS a rule. a wealthy Russian who de
sires TO leave money to MIN communI-
Gates with Baron Friederichs or some
other official of the imperial household
before he makes his will. and obtains
the gracious consent OF his ma jesty to
his design. Even when this has been
done. ana the man dies careful invcStt-
cation is made before the money is ac-
cepted, with the object Of finding out
whether anybody would suffer by his
disposition of his wealth. II so, the
Car orders that the money be diverted
20 the proper channels.
These Iegacies, when accepted, are
never used by the Car for his private
gratificatio He regards them as a
trust fund. and they have been so re-
garded by most OF his ancestors. This
fund is drawn upon for charitable and
religious purposes, Five millions OF
rubles were given from IL to relieve the
starving peasants during the last ter
rible famine in Bessarabia.
But il is not confined TO Russian OBJ
yects alone. The Car made liberal 90
nations from it TO the last Indian famine
relief fund and in aid Of the negro peas