Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1906-08-15
ShgT'kTGRANDDUKE
NICHOLAS HlCa0LAlkVITCa TAI.
GET FOR sulDlERS.
The Poor MarkmanshIp on Part Of
Crack Soldiers Of Emperor Marked
His Eseaps-Royal Family Startled
Have Changed Their Plane
Troopers Exhibiting In Sham Battle.

Grand Duke Nicholas Nicholaio-
witch, marked for deliberate assasina-
tion, escaped bullets from one Of the
crack corps Of the army Saturday only
because the marksmanship 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 bul.
lets buzz by his head.
The affair has startled the imperial
family and the plans Of the cxar have
oeen 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 q long in.
vestigation that It was determined
that the ball cartridges were fired
by the first battalion of sharpshooters.
Ine Of the elite corps Of the Russian
army. Suspicion was directed to-
ward the "one year volunteer" recruits
who. In consideration Of their educa-
:ional qualifications and social posi-
ion. escaped with only one year in.
stead Of four years. service. Many Of
,hese men are ex-students Of universi-
ties and are the principal spreaders
II 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
he grand dueal escort the Associated
Press learned that the incident oc-
CURED during a movement Of the
Ismailovsky guard. and the guard
sharpshooters against a 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 q 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
md orderlies and several civilians, in.
Guiding Countess Nirod.
Suddenly. when the first echelon Of
he attacking force. consisting Of
,harpshooters. was from $50 to 500
Yards distant. a bullet sang high over.
head. followed by another and still an.
,ther. The cry was raised. '"rhey 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: 1T would be
more realistic II the troops always
fired ball during the maneuvers. but
this Is objectionable negligence"
Gar 10 Uneasy.
The bold attempt on the grand dukes
lfe caused an immediate change in the
plans Of the emperor, who had ar.
ranged to 90 to Krasnoye-Selo and
spend q week with the soldiers Of his
imperial guards.
The impatience Of the conspirators
and assassins led them to open fire
Al such distance a. to frustrate their
object. Before the maneuvers began
all the ball cartridges we're taken from
the troops and the officers had taken
the precaution to make . complete ex.
animation Of the cartridge pouches Of
he soldiers before the movement Of
he troops began.