New-York tribune., 1905-01-08
Rz1Ssiar1 Grand Dukes.
Like They Are the Subject of Much
hens on he Part of Foreigners

Just at the present moment the grand dukes of
the reigning house OF Russia are about the most
vigorously abused persons in the world. They
are held up TO public obloquy on both sides of
the Atlantic as responsible for all the msfort-
unes that have overtaken their country and
constituting the chief obstacle to reform and
progress. They are denounced as having mis-
appropriated not merely the money assigned TO
the equipment Of the army and navy. but also
the funds subscribed through the Red Cross
for the relief OF the wounded and the sick In
fact, there is no crime that is not laid at their
door.
While the imperial house OF Russia. like so
many other families. no matter whether royal
or OF less exalted rank, has its black sheep. and
has been afflicted with members who have been
a source OF much trouble TO their relatives. 1t
may safely be asserted that not one tithe OF the
stories against the grand dukes have any foun-
dation. True. they do not prestend TO be saints,
and put forward no claim TO eventual canoniza-
ton. But as a class they an infinitely better
set OF men than is generally believed abroad,
and have been the victims OF the most incon-
ceivable misrepresentation. Thus, whenever
wealthy Russian happens 20 become involved
IN some scrape IN Germany. France or Italy he
IS at once described as a Russian grand duke.
AS an instance OF this 1t is only necessary TO
cite an incident that occurred the other day
at Dresden waiter at one Of the hotels had
been brutally maltreated by a young Russian
nobleman of the name of Prince Leon Kotchu-
hey and badly injured as to make necessary
-his conveyance TO the hospital. In Germany a
certain mystery is always observed by the
police and by the press with regard to the
identity Of offenders until they have actually
been indicted. and as the Dresden newspapers.
IN Difference TO this practice. omitted TO men
ton the name OF the prince, but merely re-
ferred to him a Russian OF distinction, 1t
was at once assumed that the parsonage in
question was a grand duke, and for some reason
another the assault was ascribed 10 the
Cars brOther-in-law. Grand Duke Sergius, who
has not been outside Russia since the beginning
OF the war, and who has not been within a hun
dred miles Of Dresden for more than a year.
Yet the entire foreign press has saddled Sergius
with this piece Of gross brutality, and cable dis
patches have spread the news thereof far and
wide in this country. This is merely one of
hundreds of similar incidents that could be men
toned. and if until now such stories have been
allowed to go uncontradicted it has been in con-
sequence Of the Russian press laws. which prior
10 their recent relaxation by Prince Mirsky de-
barred the newspapers in the Cars dOminions
from discussing any of the members Of the reign
ing family.
There is no Court concerning which less is
known by the PUBIC, elIner al nome or ABROAD,
than that of Russia AS have said before, the
Muscovte press is not permitted TO refer thereto.
and consequently all the stories that reach for
eign countries concerning IL appear first at
Vienna and at Berlin. where in nine cases out
OF ten they have been manufactured out OF
v hole cloth. often for the purpose Of influencing
the Bourse, be ii ever so lightly. II is this that
accounts for the ridiculous mistakes which are
constantly being made. as for instance when
the Grand Duke Alexis and his cousin Alex
ander Michaelovitch are described as working
in unison TO Obstruct reform. Alexis, 1t is true.
as a Russian admiral OF the old school, is averse
TO changes and innovations and content to take
matters easily, leaving all administrative work
TO his subordnates. The latter have taken ad-
vantage thereof in many cases TO betray his
confidence thanks to which the navy OF which
he is captain admiral and chief has been found
wanting in almost every particular gal
lantry while charges Of gross appropriation
of naval funds have been rife. The idea that
he has profted in any way financially by this
dishonesty is preposterous, in spite Of all the
Viennese and Berlin stories TO the contrary. For
he has always enjoyed the possession of very
large fortune-big even for grand duke-and,
never having known the need OF money, has
had no occasion TO demean himself by stealing il.
But that by his failure 10 exercise adequate
control of the officials under his orders. by his