The sun., 1912-07-21

mob li'y was received in audience a day
after the first Japanese victory NICHOLAS
remarked in speaking Of the destruction
of he Russian boats
'Do you know, look upon this as upon
the sting of flea!'
But the war made quite a deep impres-
sion upon the Russian people. Even in
spheres where oppositional sentiments
had always been strong there was to Il
certain extent an awaking Of a healthy
patriotism. Most of the patriotic" dem
onstra ions, however, were arranged by
the po ice
The Car naIvely told all those he re-
ceived in audience at the time about the
various patriotic demonstrations with
portraits" that had been made in different
parts of Russia. He related these stories.
although he must have know that the por-
traits were distributed among the janitors
by the police, that the flags we're made in
the police stations and distributed among
the people controlled by the police, and
that the masses stayed away from tho
scandalous patriotic" demonstrations in
honor of the Car.
The reserves drawn from the villages
were marching to the battlefield, accom-
panied 10y the sobs of women and chill
dren. and Russian vodka mingled with
tears with which Russia received the
news of the first defeats
When Makarov was intrusted with the
command Of the feet the hope OF the
Russian people was centred upon him
The Petropavlovsk struck mine
which was placed there by our own fleet
and the battleship went down 20 quickly
that but few were saved Makarov
lost his life and with him died also the
great Russian painter Verestchagin. The
Grand Duke kiril. the son Of Michail
was almost drowned too.
All Russia looked upon the destruction
OF the Petropavlovsk a the beginning
Of the end. But the Gear and his advisers
at Tsarskoye Selo regarded the loss in a
| different light.
On the day Makarov lost hia life one OF
the generals Of the Imperial suite, Ridzev.
sky. was acting Minister of the Imperial
Court. Baron Fredericks was away at
the time. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon
he was TO report to the Car. Extremely
vexed by the terrible news, Gen. Rdzev-
sky thought with horror OF the scene at
which he was to discuss the terrible news
with the Emperor. At 8 o'clock he was
called to the Palace.
When | came there ne told one OF
his friends. the Car was at the requiem
service. praying for the repose of Mala-
rows soul. ! thought that things would
be still worse. Then the service was
ended. Nicholas. dressed in naval uni
] Of ~, Al
cheerfully. took me by the arm and drew
me to his study. Pointing at the snow
flakes seen through the window he said:
What fine weather. It would be fine
to 90 hunting now. We haven't been
hunting for some time. What is to-day,
Friday? Would you like to 60 hunting
Tomorrow"
Confused and perplexed. Gen. Ridzev-
sky muttered something in reply and,
crumpling his report, fastened to leave
In the waiting room he met friend with
whom he talked for few minutes. While
descending the stairway he noticed Mich.
olas standing by the window shooting
crows with O small rife.
The Car was in the Same mood when
/ the news Of the next defeats reached him
1t was difficult for the people to under
stand the Cars indifference in these
matters. especially since it was known
that he always manifested a deep love
for his children and for certain members
Of the court suite. But those who knew
him we'll felt that this indifference was
due To temporary mental depression
called forth by the realization OF his power
lessness.
During that time the Car was irritatetl
by any lengthy conversation or report
concerning the war or internal affairs
lie tried to divert the conversation ia
another direction. 1t seemed as though
he closed his eyes against the terrible
realities, vaguely realizing that they were
but the prelude to q still moro terrible
drama. The officials who noticed this
availed themselves of the Car 8 weakness
and influenced him against various els-
ments OF the Russian people.
The Car was convinced that all of
Russias defeats were due chiefly ia
Japan's intrignes and not to the inability
OF his generals. headed by Kuropatkin
10 him 1t appeared that the Russian army
was simply deceived by O dishonest
enemy who did not bring out his guns
upon open places where the Russians
could SEQ them but fired upon the R,,ssiana
from bitches and across mountains.
In the melancholy quiet OF Tsarskoye
Solo tho impression OF tho terrible news
was faint and the great defeats of the
russian army were considered but an
ordinary misfortune caused by the tardy
movement Of this or that regiment.
There in Tsarskoye Solo upon the soft
rug OF the nursery which was representing
the ocean and where six cheerful children
were playing n Inakebelieve naval bait le
the news of 1sushima did not sound lik.
the death knell of Russia's prcstige a. 4
great nation, but WAS merely piece ol
} news that disturbed the fun OF tho game
Russia met with ,iefea.t after cieroa,
The Russian people from state of apath,
and despair turned to state Of agitation
the press commenced to spoal frsaIv