The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-11-02

four whole centuries, marked by blood
she'd, massacre. assassination, intrigue,
conspiracy and war.
| In those four centuries the Roman.
offs fought wars with nearly every peo'
pie in Europe. They fought Sweden.
subdued Poland, subjugated the Crimean
provinces, overan Evonia, dismembered
Poland and sent their Cossacks like a
scourge across the Caucasus, until they
had conquered the center of Asia as far
as the tomb of Tameraine. and added
all of Siberia 10 the realms Of the Gar.
In those four centuries the Romanoffs
fought wars with Sweden, England,
France, Italy, Prussia, Austria, Hungary,
Turkey, China and Japan. They fought
with and against Napoleon. They helped
Prussia against France, and in turn
joined France in crushing Prussia.
Three times they tried to conquer Tm
key. Twice they tried to invade Persia.
Their hands have been against almost
every nation and ruler and people in
Europe. They have been better hated
and better feared than the members
OF any reignirg family that ever held
throne in modern Europe.
And yet these same Romanoirs, whose
throne has been washed with the blood
OF million murdered subjects until its
steps were as crimson as the velvet can.
poy above it, found Russia horde of
half Oriental barbarians and nodded the
squat, stupid mass into a modern nation
one of the recognized powers Of the
world. They developed commerce, es-
tablished universities, gridioned the
empire with railroads. fostered religion,
cultivated art and sicenee. Their ships
ply every sea. Their railroads cross two
continents. They are rivals with Eng
land and the United States in many
lines of commerce. Their lawyers are
recognized in the international courts
OF the world, their scientists are quoted
in every laboratory, their literature is
in every modern library and their music
is recognized among the classics.
The first Romanoff was Michael Fec.
doroyitz, who ascended the throne in
1913 after the assassination of Feod0r
l., last of the house OF Rurik, who had
ruled for 700 years. He crushed a re.
bellion and ruled until l645 in compare.
tive peace. lie was succeeded by his
son, Alexis w.. who, in his turn. crush.
ed a rebellion by hanging, burning and
torturing 700 prisoners.
Then came the son of Alexis, Feodor
ILL.,, who ruled from 1876 to 1852 He |
left two sons, Ivan V. and Peter, half.
brothers. They ruled jointly, the real
empress being Sophia, mother of Peter
l. Sophia gave Russia the bloodiest
reign history had ever known Of up to
that time. 1t all ended in 1896, when
Ivan V. died Then Peter I. asserted
himself and put hi, mother in a con.
vent.
The history Of modern Russia really |
dates from the reign of Peter l., for he
was the most famous monarch Of all !
Russia--Peter the Great He signaliz. |
ed his entry into power by beheading |
5000 of his enemies. lie was won
derful, ent5prising, broad.minded,
cruel. bloodthirsty monarch, who hang |
ed. burned, tortured and drowned his
subjects until all Russia was one vast |
orgy Of blood.
And yet Peter the Great built St |
Petersburg, establishing the commerce
of Russia, introduced modern culture. |
and died after poisoning his own son.
Catherine J., wife of Peter the Great,
succeeded him in l725. She was famous
as she was infamous. She was sue
ceeded by Peter H., and then by Anne.
daughter Of Ivan. Anne was the first
ruler of Russia to Danish prisoners to
Siberia. She thus exiled 10000 of her
subjects and sent 10000 more to the
scaffold.
Anne was followed by Ivan VI, who
was exiled and then assassinated.
A coup d'etat called Elizabeth, daugh.
ter of Peter the Great, to the throne in
l74l, and she reigned through twenty
years Of intrigue and assassination.
pier Ill. mounted the throne In .l762.
only to be murdered by his wife's faith
er a few months later. Then his wife,
Catherine H., grasped the sceptre and
ruled a dissolute empress. until 1876.
Her son Paul succeeded her and In 1901
he was assassinated.