The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-06-10
GEAR ONCE NEAR
DEATH IN JAPAN
Tragic incident Made Friends
Of Present Rulers Of the
Two Empires.
1T WAS ACT OF FANATIC
As a Prince tho Russian Ruler Visited
Japan, Where an Anarchist At.
tackled Him-Earnestness of
Japanese Grief.
1T WAS ACT OF N A

pooAS SASLClScu II llllIlu over llc WILL
not only as imperial ord of all the
Russias and heir to the aggressive pol
icy of Peter the Great, but quite pri-
Hately and individually, from the re-
membrance of his own experiences in
the empire of Japan.
When he was scarcely more than of
age he was sent to make the grand
tour OF the world, and among the
places reckoned us of first Importance
was Japan.
He spent some weeks in the land of
time. in fact, han had been planned,
owing to the incident Which threw both
Russia and Japan into AN ecstacy of
startled SORROW, and was very near
bringing both the j~ourneyings and the
existence of Nicholas Alexandrovitch
to an end once and for always.
Welcomed by the Mikado.
He had been welcomed with the
greatest cordially by the mikado. y
posal; the overlooking imperial suite
was supplemented by officers and
guards from the emperor's personal
encourage; excursions We're planned to
please the illustrious guest; and he and
his cousin, Prince George of Greece, his
travelling companion. We're fetcd and
battered by the Whole nation.
There were picnics under the snowy
peak OF Fuji-ama, the beloved sacred
mountain: delightful drives through
the scented groves that cover the lake
shores OF kioto. The emperor could
having he son of his powerful north
ern neighbor as his guest.
one morning the imperial cortege was
passing through a little hill village
when suddenly a fanatic dashed for
ward, and. lifting his heavy two
handed sword, dealt a swinging blow
at the c~Zarewitch.
The richsltaw man dropped the sla rts
of the light carriage in which the
prince was riding. and grabbed with
the assassin. preventing a second blow.
Prince George of Greece, whose rich
shaw was close behind, flung himself
before his cousin. The Russian ann
bassador, who was ia close attendance,
also prepared to defend his young mas
ter with his life.
Nicholas Was Brave.
1T is nothing!' cried the ~czarewitcn.
bravely, though the blood gushed from
a deep cut across the brow and scalp.
They took him n the nearest house
and gave what surgical aid they could.
Meantime the news flew forth like Wild
fire-the czarewitch was wounded
Japan was indeed disgraced.
The millado, setting aside the etlluet
which hedges him about almost as a
god, hurried to the princes side. The
grief n excitement. The temples
We're crowded with sacrificing Worship
ers.
From the emperor on his throne to
the %scavenger in the street, all Japan
was in despair. Would the prince die?
At first 1t was thought the blow must
be fatal. The telegraph carried the
npV0 RI tho 0or ND .~~~ l.
naturally were in deepest distress.
The ounde prince was taken on
board a Russian warship that he might
have perfect quiet, it was said, but in
reality to satisfy the car as to his
safety. Daily the emperor visited his
bedside and the little empress herself
would also fain have o so did pro-
daily with her own hand to the boys
anxious mother, trying to put into
words the natona grief and shame.
Feeling Was Passionate.
How passionate that feeling really
was was proved by ar incident that
strikes oddly on European ears, and
made an tndelible impression on Mich
ola himself.
A young girl, the daughter of a we'll
known merchant of Toyko, decked her
self out In her gala robes, fastening
flowers in her shining hair an clasping
all her Jewels on her throat and arms.
Then, on the steps of the emperor's
palace she took her own life-laying
herself there to die. with q written
statement in her poor, nervous fingers,
telling how she died as an Offering for
the crime of Japan, n how she hoped
that her innocent life would be accept
ed, n the stain of that ]treacherous
deed be wiped away.
That is many years ago, and many
things have happened since the fanatics
sword shed Russian imperial blood on
the hillside Of Japan. The same mikado
reigns owe the land of the rising sun,
although Nicholas Alexandrovitch sits
now on his fathers throne. Every de-
tail of that day is keenly remembered
by them both.
The Ear has not forgotten the i'm
perial courtesy, the almost fatherly
kindness, the unflagging care and good
ness which was showered on him then;
and his majesty remembers well the
brave boy who made light OF his pain
and bore tho fever without a murlnur.
making the best of it for his hosts
s~ke.