Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1906-08-17
shot GRAND DUKE
NICHOLAS NICH0LAIEVITCH TAR
GET FOR SOLDIERS.
The Poor Workmanship on Part Of
Crack Soldiers Of Emperor Marked
His Escape-RoyaI Family Startled
Have Changed Their Plans
Troopers Exhibiting in Sham Battle.

Grand Duke Nicholas Nicholaie-
witch. marked for deliberate assasina-
ton, escaped bullets from one Of the
crack corps Of the army Saturday only
because the craftsmanship was poor.
The attempt was made during the
army maneuvers. The grand duke,
who is president Of the council Of ma
tional defense, clearly heard the bull
let's buzz by his head.
The affair has startled the imperial
family and the plans of the czar have
been changed.
Though several arrests have been
made, responsibility for the shots fired
at Grand Duke Nicholas has not def
initely brought home to any particular
culprit. It was only after long in
vestigation that it was determined
that the ball cartridges we're fired
by the first battalion Of sharpshooters,
one of the elite corps Of the Russian
army. Suspicion was directed to-
ward the zone year volunteer" recruits
who, in consideration Of their educa-
tional qualifications and social posi-
ton, escaped with only one year in
stead Of four years service. Many of
these men are ex-students Of universe
ties and are the principal spreaders
of the revolutionary propaganda
among the troops.
The officers of the regiments in
volved are extremely reticent concern
ing the affair, but from a member of
the grand ducal escort the Associated
Press learned that the incident oc-
Cured during movement of the
Ismailovsky guard, and the guard
sharpshooters against position held
by the Seminovsky regiment. Grand
Duke Nicholas was sitting his charger
and observing the maneuver from the
top of an entrenchment.
The troops were advancing by short
rushes in open order across a wide,
level field, firing blank volleys by
squads as they came A few yards
behind the grand duke was his suite,
including General zarubaeff, second in
command Of the guard corps, adjutants
and orderlies and several civilians, in
Guiding Countess Nirod.
Suddenly, when the first echelon OF
the attacking force, consisting of
sharpshooters, was from 450 to 500
yards distant, a bullet sang high over
head, followed by another and still an
other. The cry was raised, "They are
firing ball. and the group was thrown
into great confusion. After frantic
signaling, cease firing" was sounded,
but the shots continued for some time.
Grand Duke Nicholas remarked when
he rejoined his suite: ut would be
more realistic if the troops always
fired ball during the maneuvers, but
this is objectionable negligence"
Gear Is Uneasy.
The bold attempt on the grand dukes
life caused an immediate change in the
plans of the emperor, who had ar
ranged to go to Krasnoye-Selo and
spend a week with the soldiers of his
imperial guards.
The impotence of the conspirators
and assassins led them to open fire
at such distance as to Illustrate their
object. Before the maneuvers began
all the ball cartridges were taken from
the troops and the officers had taken
the precaution to make a complete ex-
animation of the cartridge pouches Of
the soldiers before the movement of
the troops began.