The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1905-06-10

Everybody in Russia laughs at the
Dbbish that is being written about
the grand dukes. They are not the
advisers of the czar The Grand Duke
Constantine is of an artistic DISPOSE
tion-a capable actor and poet. He
has translated Hamlet into Russian.
Another grand duke is at the head
of the army, and third directs the
navy; but If these personages have
authority in their own respective
spheres, they do not constitute a
party, nor do they present any par
ticular views.
1T is extraordinary what absurdi-
ties are printed about Russia. l re-
member that years ago it was SOL
EMMY stated in print that the Car
Alexander III had. in fit of drunk
enness, killed one of his aides-de-
camp. Now Alexander III was a tee
totaler."
After referring to other matters,
Madame Novikoff showed me a signed
photograph OF the Grand Duchess
Elizabeth, widow of the Grand Duke
Sergius. who was lately killed by a
bomb
The Grand Duke Sergius," said
madame. in reply to a question con-
corning the dead mans character
was very patriotic. ana devoted to
his duty as Russian citizen. His
views were moderate. but he was ex-
ceedingly firm in putting them into
execution, and perhaps he was not
over lenient. He had no patience
with revolutionary aims. His death
was a severe loss to us"
"As to these active assassins in
Russia, madame. To what section of
the community do they belong?'
They are terrible. AS rule, they
are half-educated creatures. Some of
winning notoriety; others because
they have been ordered to do so by
societies of which they are afraid.
When the Grand Duchess Elizabeth
went to the prison to interview her
husbands murderer, the man broke
into sobs, and exclaimed: I've been
mislead' These assassins are anar-
chists. All that they want is revo-
luton.
"Russia's great mistake is that she
is too lenient For example, we have
neither capital nor corporal punish
ment. This being SO, how are we to
keep people in order? The lives of
those who take should be forfeited.
Again, our penal establishments
are far from being the uncomfortable
Institutions they are pictured. l have
myself been directress of a Russian
prison. and you may be surprised to
hear that our convicted criminals are
allowed as much food as they can
eat Our prisons compare most fav-
orably with Englands''
AN insight into the personality
of the car, madame, would be use
full. especially at the present juno
ture."
Il am very fond of the car. He
is Kindness itself. Indeed, his weak
point is that he is to kind. So gem
erous is he that he will not offend
if he can avoid doing so. He hesitates
to adopt strong measures, which
might be expedient. At the same
time, he exhibits wonderful judgment
in some of his appointments.
He is devoted to his wife and
family, and is, perhaps, not sufficient
ly ambitious He is fond of walking,
and he has bicycle, I believe, but
his real recreating is playing with
children. His leisure huors are few,
however. He rises early, and works
hard the whole of the day. / may
add that he is intensely religious and
moral
TT has been repeatedly asserted
that Russia can not make Roadway
while autocracy continues. What is
your defense of autocraCy?'
IF we support autocracy,' Madame
Novikoff replied, lit is because we
wish to get reforms. You can eff
fectively carry out reforms when you
have concentrated power, and that
the autocracy has"