Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-18

policy and counsel have been at all times
influential and at intervals supreme Win
the hapless emperor. In the Jekyi-and-
HYDE character of recent Russian admins
tratfon with regard to the rights of the
people the iron hand of Sergius has peen
internationally displayed.
Career as a Soldier.
BEGINNING his career as a soldier. becom-
ing a major general and an aid-de-camp to
the cars person, Grand Duke Sergius did
nothing to distinguish himself in that field,
and. indeed. at the famous Koursk maneu-
vers underwent a humiliating defeat at the
hands of General Kuropatkin. Possibly
Sergius, who was the moving spirit OF the
present war with Japan, did not forget II
when the chance came to send KurcpatKin
Uriah-like to the forefront OF danger
Turning himself to craftsmanship ne De-
came known as a leader and the most reac-
tionary member of the grand ducal party.
Especially fanatic was he IN MS hatreo vi
popular education. The students UNIFORM
was an abomination to his eye. Appointed
governor general of Moscow in 1891, his
rigorous repression of the liberties or stu
dents there more than once provoked rlots'
which were again followed by fresh re-
strctionary measures On December 10
and - last the University of Moscow was
closed, the students rioted in the streets
and Sergius was mysteriously warned.
Most Hated Man in Moscow.
With a singularly impartial and ALIEN
bracine hatred Sergius Alexandrovitch abb
horred Protestants, Catholics, Jews and I'M
orthodox Russians He expelled Jews from
the central provinces, after becoming gov
ernor general Several hundred Offenders
of asserted religions, among then1 IndnS
students, were two years ago exleu 70 Si
IBERIA by General Trepof (then cme1 OF po-
lice of Moscow and the governor right
hand mani by order of Serg1uS, VINO then
fed to his summer residence to escape the
threats made against his life lie became
the best-hated man in MOSCOW, ana ser
gius legend almost grew up Among tho
populace.
Many public misfortunes We're, rightly
or wrongly laid at his door. He was pop
ularly held to blame for the TRAGEDY al
the cars coronation in 1896, when through
carelessncss in providing for the safety OF
the crowd, thousands of people We're killed
in the press
Despised the Common People.
To Sergius the common people-which In
his autocratic eyes included all humanity
not the blood royal-were less than the
creeping things of the field. He showed
this absolutely horrific Indifference to peas
ant lives few years ago in a deed which
shocked all Russia. A number of troops
were passing over a bridge during some
maneuvers and again through indifference
to their safety, the bridge was blown up,
and hundreds of humble fighters for the
Little Father lost their lives.
Another source of unpopularity was his
forced conversion of his clever and
charming wife, Elizabeth of Hesse, sister of
the Czarina, from the Lutheran to the
Greek Orthodox faith. This nearly caused
international complications of serious
character.
His severity of judgment. not extending
to his own behavior, the morals of Grand
Duke Sergius were notorious, even for royal
morals. While counting Princess Elizabeth
at Darmstadt. in 1884, he became involved
in an affair of gallantry which eventually
led him to Paris, where he brought up be-
fore police magistrate