Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-07-09

~T. PETERSBURG. June 21-"Czar
Nicholas rules the Russlas, and "a
monk rules Car Nicholas"
This remark may be heard an
over Russia today II is an open secret
that somcbody--usuany an orthodox
priest-always rules his imperial ma
jesty, even TO the extent OF debating
the color OF a new uniform or the APP
pointmCnt Of q now minister. II Is mo-
torious that the car inclncs to super
stition and mysticism and is also very
impress ionnblg. He will not set ont on
a Journey on Monday nor decide any
important matter except on a saints
day. lie is a stanch upholder Of the
Greek Church-of which he rs the SUI
prcmc head-and rumor says, thinks
more 81 the choice Of Il new ikon than
Of a new minister.
II Is. therefore. not surprising to hear
that the latest favorite T. monk
named Thcophilus Everybody expects
him t. be made a bishop before Ions.
The czar refuses to attend any church
ceremonial unless ThoOphilus acCOnpa-
mics him. and set a few months ago tho
monk was unknown. one OF the grand
dukes. Constantin, found him in mon
astery i'm Moscow ana the monks col
versstipn pleased the grand duke so
much that he took him to Tsarskoe
Sclo, the cars summer residence. since
John OF Crunstadts death the car has
had no educated favorite among the
clergy. and as soon as he heard OF
Theophilus his majesty sent for him
and promptly fell under the priests
spell.
At first the astute monk only visited
the imperial palace when specially
summoned To instruct the ear in mys-
tical.mltters. but he soon obtained the
right of access to the imperial person
at any time-a privilege only possessed
in Russia by members OF tho family
ana cabinet ministers After this PRIV
ilege had been conferred Thoophilus
soon became daily visitor AT the
palace. He accompanied his imperisl
friend To the Crimca, where they spent
hours and even days together, and II
was not long before the cabinet minis
tiers noticed that Theophilus had gaineo
extraordinary asCcndanCy over their
master: In many cases they were en-
abled To truce imperial decrecs 10 tnc
monks direct Influence. Naturally
everybody who wanted to get the cars
car began By battcring his iaNoritc,
who received rich presents from anN-
ious courtiers and ministers.
INSTANCE OF INFLUENCE.
Tho case Of Prince oboienski serves
as striking example OF what Ihe6-
philus can DO. Prince Obolenski had
but court intrigue. which is greater In
Russia than anywhere else, managed
to bring about his fall. The car dls-
missed him from his post az CHIEF OF
the cabinet. and the prince. VINO has
no private fortune, found himself a
begger. The dowager empress, who has
A good deal OF influence over her son,
begged the car 90 grant his old friend
a tension sufficient to save him from
penury. but his majesty refused 10
listen. Then Obolenskl went TO the
monk and managed 10 enlist his
sympathy, with the result that few
hours after Theophilus had pleaded
for the fallen courtier, the car or
dcred that his annual salary Of $4,000
should be paid 20 him the rest Of his
lie as a pension. ....... ..t..,
MAR As WELL AS MAKE.
The monk can mar as well as make
The former minister OF war. VI Rodi-
ger, was in the Cars favor before
Theophilus came upon the scene: but
the monk took q violent dislike to