The sun., 1912-07-14
FAINT TWO
/" HE Same network Of intrisues
that used to be woven around
the monarchs Of old is woven

rulers. Hut wh,le some OF them do
not feel tho burden Of these intrigues
built OF f'attery and gossip. others are
80 enmcshed In these nets that they
stumble on their way. and still others
finally cease TO dinerentiate between
light and shadows, willingly draping
themselves with the qualities ascribed
to them by their flatterers. and thus
becoming tho laughing stock OF the
people close to them. Nicholas II. be-
longs to this third category.
How tho outward signs Of religious
devotion IN the palace as we'll as an
Church affairs attracted the soul of
Nicholas II. remains n secret. In his
childhood Nicholas did not show any in
clination toward religious feelings. and
during his youth his mode of life gave
still less promise OF any tendencies
toward piet.sm. 1t Is possible that his
narrow escape at Borki and in Japan.
and other strong impressions In his
youth helped to develop in him n sense
OF faith In some special divine patron
age. Through the art with which the
spiritual advisers of the Cars pre-
sented to him this special patronage. in
the form of religious and mystic cere-
monies. Nicholas II. was logically led
to the belief in various newly dis
covered saints. in spirl,ualism and for
tune telling.
The types Of devotees who are una
bic to distinguish between faith and
superstition, between religion and mere
ceremonia,s. are veN rare among the
Intelligent classes OF the Russian peo-
pie. and even among the younger ele-
ment Of the peasants this ignorance Is
passing away. only in the smaller
towns OF the remote and deserted
provinces this superstition is still pre-
dominating in Russia The Russian
autocrat IS not above the Intellectual
level Of these insignificant and passive
elements Of his subjects
1t was quite natural that such Q
clever and unp.irCi,ed hureaucrat as
Plehve should try o avail himself Of
these weaknesses ot TIE Car and OK.
ert great influence over him. But be-
fore Nicholas te'l under Won Plehve's
Influence his weak mind and sickiy will
were made the play'h!nss Of less skilful
charlatans.
Neither his mental limitations nor
his lack OF will power hindered the
Car from devo,irg considerable thought
TO the fundamental questions 0: govern
ment. Through the close circle OF
court officials. through the chains Of
the secret service department, through
the dense foliage of his parks. the dull
cry Of Russian life came To the En-
peror. and even his inexperienced ear
caught the notes Of discomfort and
despair. From time 10 time the Car
even made attempts to feel his way
toward his people, but each time these
attempts ended vi n some comical and
amusing episode
Thus, one day he received in audience
Count Leo Tolstoy. the son Of the great
Leo Tolstoy. Like most of the children
Of the great writer. this son was devoid
OF talent but consumed with envy Of his
fathers great fame. The audience lasted
about two hours. In the course of the
conversation young Tolstoy and the
Car discussed also the form Of govern
ment IN the Russian Empire. To,stoy
had the COURAGE TO point out TO the Car
that constitution was inevitable.
The Car declared then, as he repeated
upon later occasions. that he was also IN
favor OF I. constitution. but that he was
prevented from granting such consti-
tuition by the oath IN the Uspensky Ca
thcdral on tho day of lis coronation,
when he sworc TO preserve the autoc-
racy. Later the leaders Of the Black
-''' " '''',' "'- 20 ''''' 40 NV Pun :
pose or checking the GeN".opment OF
constitutional institutions, Count Toll
ttoy' VINO mustered courage toward the
eh' OF MS '"NVerSaAon win the car,
fpiea.,G 70 "lohoias IL i lead the sim
IIe !I1' 10 sop ii.'nE animals. tn leave
on drinking and smoking. The dialogue
assume" a '"Iaicai character ana OF
course rrodN'"d no erect OF any KIND.
Iheh' d"t'NF one or the years OF
IaHilhe-ani helore 1909 there had been
Ih'e'h years "' famine IN succession In
huSsia--a 'e''ao man named klopoV
was aHiH''''d L" 'Ao Gar klopoV was
an uhkhoWh ana inslSn'hcant man, but
ne was hiled win burning desire to
save husS'a' ARRANGEMENTS were soon
Hiaoe ny which the Car gave klopoV
uhuni'en authority 10 investigate the
'anine S'rtcheh PROVINCES But as such
an inNesNSa'lon coulu haroly appear to
the MINISTER OF 'ne inferior. hiopov was
snoruy exposed py the aon,inistfatlon
anu 'n's enor. OF the ,%ar 10 learn the
ruth ABOUT RUSSIA ended as sadIy and
% coii'ca''y as All otheF e'ior's OF the
C11 10 ae' "'hou' 'he ao''ce OF MS
'unceioharies
Al '"e Hhea"'''ie tho soul OF Nicnoia'
W. se'uns evef moro ana more con