The National tribune., 1904-08-11
NICHOLAS H.. cxAR or RUSSIA.

a nuSSldu O1cl4l, name OF course mol
given. but showing evidence of an exact
knowledge Of Russian affairs, writes an
article for the London Quarterly Review
which has attracted much attention and
comment. He says that Nicholas II. is
much more of power in his Government
than he is generally credited with being,
but that this power is for the worst.
He is filled to the brm with the idea
OF his own greatness and holy mission,
which, with his rather inferior under
standing and lack of knowledge, make him
very mischievOus in many things and ter
ribly dangerous in others. He is very SEN
sitive to fattery, and surrounded by those
who know how to make fattery profitable
to themselves. He : constantly saying
things to arouse the worlds applause, but
acting entirely in disregard of his benevo-
lent utterances. For example. he issued
the famous manifesto of March, 1903. or
dering the greatest religious tolerance in
his Empire. but which was contradicted
entirely in practice. The Jews have been
massacred by wholesale, Roman Catho-
lies have been persistently made victims of
all kinds of abuse, repression and vexa-
tons. The exercise of their religion has
been embarrassed by strong pressure put
upon them everywhere in order to force
them into the Orthodox Church.
The Gar not only believes himself to be
Gods vicegerent on earth. but he takes Il
childish delight i'm miracles, marvels and
tho oh isb
He keeps a roll of the Russian saints, and
is constantly adding to it those old monks
whose relics have wrought wonderful cures
and surprises.
The advisers to whom he most listens
are those who have ideas as to an autOc-
thousand years ago. Only advisers of that
class are listened to. and the head of them
was the late Won Phleve. whose influence
led to the massacres of the Jews, the cruel
spoliation of the Armenans. the banish-
ment of the Films, the persecution Of the
Poles, the exile of Russian mobiles, the fog
ging Of peasants, the Imprisonment and
butchery of Russian workmen. the estab-
lishment of spy system which extended
to every mans family, etc. etc.
The men who advocated these principles
consist of ring of Grand Dukes who
form secret council. which can make or
mar any mans fortunes. They are all in
sanely covetous of money and entirely
reckless as to the manner in which they
obtain it. They care nothing for Russias
good name or faith, in doing whatever
will fill their pockets. Their latest venture
was the lumber concessions on the Yalu,
which more than any other thing preci-
pitated the war with Japan. Their infiu-
ence has brought things to such a pass
that the solemn promise Of an ambassador
is not regarded with any significance by
the Foreign Ministers. They may at any
time compel Minister to dshonor himself
and break all his pledges.
People are now pointing to the resem-
blance Of the Gar to his predecessor.
Paul l, who was born in 1874 and assassi-
mated in 1901. His lack of education, ego
tism and fitful temper made him one of the
most execrable of tyrants. At last he be-
gan to be positively insane, and a number
of plots were made to assassinate him
His assassination brought the greatest re-
joicings to the people Of st. Petersburg
and all the Empire generally.