Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-01-27
THE RED CROSS in RUSSIA AND
THE GRAND DUCHESS ELIZABETH
Educational System Of the EmpreThe ChnGradaon Of Rank
.Russian Nihism and Gagged Press.The Cossacks Un
equal to the Japaness-Personality of tbe Gear.

For many years, the people of Russia
had contributed money to the Red
Cross Society of that country, and for
building new battle ships. until the
amount given had reached the great
figures of twentv-three million rubleS.
When the war with Japan commenced,
the astonishing fact was disclosed that
the treasury contained only three
million rubleS. The affair was
quickly hushed up, on account of
distinguished personages being con-
nected with the disgraceful situation.
These men had borrowed money from
the Red Cross and had failed to meet
their indebtnesS. They are now at
the seat of war in the east. and can
not be spared to be brought back to
Russia, so the necessary steps leading
to the indentitication of those
implicated can not be taken until the
trouble with Japan is over. However,
it is we'll known that the guilty parties
are ranked SO high in social and
governmental life, that nothing will
be done which would reveal their
connection with the deplorable
event-one more outrage against the
people will pass unnoticed. The
Grand Duchess Elizabeth is the lead
ing lady of Moscow, and is not only
the most influential one, but the
most popular She is sister of the
Empress of Russia and is married to
Grand Duke Serge, who is an uncle of
the Car. Under her direction,
work for the sick and wounded
Russian soldiers has been organized
and is now in the strength and it's
activity. Although it was her desire
to have nothing to do with the Red
Cross since it fell into disrepute, yet
the goods that are being sent out
continually under her supervision bear
the significant emblem which has
made that society a famous factor in
the worlds life of helpfulness. The
magnificent royal palace at Moscow
with it's five hundred rooms, has been
transformed into a workshop. There
bales of material are deposited and
made into clothing and hospital
supplies. The labor is performed by
women whose services are volunteered
and who receive no reward. AS many
as eight hundred meet at the palace
every day to stitch, to bind lint and
to pack the articles for shipment
The apartments are filled with sew
ing machines and tables for cutting.
The sumptuous reception hall, which
has formerly been used for splendid
social functions by the ladies of the
court, is piled with bolts of cloth and
garments newly made. Bending over
the machines and standing at the
tables, are women of every rank in
Russia: side by side with the titled
ladies of the nobility are the trades
women and the plain peasants. A
mutual sorrow has made comrades of
them all. In room apart from the
rest sits the Grand Duchess acting as
secretary; giving receipts for all gifts
and meeting the donors in person.
Her strong coadjutor is the Countess
Olsoutiefa, lady in waiting TO the
Grand Duchess, who is also loved by
the people for her beneficence. Since
the organization Of this relief work
for the Russian soldiers. over three
million rubles have been contributed
Nurses in the government hospitals
at st. Petersburg are in special train
ing for service on the battleheldS.
Many of them have gone to Japan and
lately to Moscow, where they nurSed
the japanese prisoners of the highest
rank who were carried there.
Educational System Of the Empire.
Russia is densely ignorant. Eighty
five per cent. Of the people can neither
read nor write. The government is
in dilemma. 1t realizes that if it
does not educate the masses, it can
not hold it's own with other nations:
that if it does, revolution is pro-
bable. The schools which prevail at
present are of distinct character.
Those established for the common
people, or town schools, are supported