The Washington herald., 1913-07-08

| t'oryr1sht, by \. IL. Jacotson-b
1t has at last leaked out in st. Pet
ersburg court circles that the Cars
mother has broken completely with her
daughter-in-law, the Czarina, whom she
accuses OF a number OF unwise doings.
| endangering the life and happiness of
the Emperor, her husband, as well as
of sowing the seed of dissention and dis
| harmony among the Romanoff family.
But what incensed her most was that
her son, the Gar, needing his wife's
advice, has dealt too drastically with
his younger brother. the Grand Duke
Michael, whom he publicly disgraced for
marrying the woman of his choice, the
divorced Mrs. Wuffert. for whom he sac
riiced all his imperial rights.
So angry was the Dowager Czarina that
she declined to attend the feast of the
| tercentenary of the Romanoff dynasty.
declaring that henceforth she preferred
to live in her native Denmark or with
her sister. Queen Alexandra, in England.
She left Russia in a hun. but before
she did so she was informed by the
Gar that in case she would not return
in time for the great national feast Of
st. George, next November, he would
be obliged to deal with her. not as her
son. but as her sovereign.
With due respect to the high-born
lady. and making full allowance for all
she had to go through and to suffer as
the wife of the murdered Alexander III,
/ cannot but admit that she is a mis-
chief-maker. not only at the Romanoff
court, but in London also. For she al
ways makes trouble between King
George and his mother. asserting that
the Dowager Alexandra, her sister.
should enjoy full political sway in the
manner she does at St. Petersburg.
She certainly is almost all-powerful in
Russia, but this is not due to precedent.
but to the fact that the present Czarina,
delicate and shrinking personality,
timidly has allowed her mother-in-law
to acquire a political influence Cbacked
by the Panslavists), which Queen Mary
Of England, who is a very determined
woman and jealous Of her prerogatives,
never would allow her mother-in-law to
achieve.
AS a matter of fact. the Russian
Dowager's annual visits to England are
far from being relished by Scotland
Yard. the police being compelled to run
fine tooth comb over the town to try
to discover Nihilists, for fear that some
thing may happen to the great lady, in
which case some of the high officials
would have to resign. The two sisters
intend, in the near future. to visit their
nephew, King Constantine OF Greece,
whose wife, Queen Sophia, sister of the
German Emperor, recently has present
ed her husband with baby daughter.
This is the sixth child, the youngest of
the other five. Princess Irene. now being
ten years old. while the eldest. Crown
Prince George, will be twenty-three
years old on the nineteenth of the pres
ent month.
One Of the sanest remarks attributed
to Gar Nicholas. and which he made
to his aged court marshal and friend,
Baron Fredericks, was that if 1t were
not for the numerous agents who are to
look after his welfare, he could go about
everywhere in perfect safety, especially
among the country folk, who would not
dream of touching his person. He add
ed: IF ever / am murdered 1t will be by
my own retainers."
That the Gar is fully convinced of
this sentiment, that IL left alone by the
horde OF secret agents, he would fare
better and be happier all around, he had
occasion to demonstrate last spring,
while hunting at Spaloff. One day his
household was Mortified when a beggar
had managed to pass the Gordon of SEN
II ieS sOHt CitdH up 10 INC shoOtihS
lodge. The officers nabbed the man and
were going to arrest him for attempted
attack upon the sacred person Of their
lord. But Gar Nicholas talked to the
man quite calmly, ordered that he be
given a square meal-which he needed
above all else just then-and then set
him to work. There was no harm in the
man, and he is a faithful servant. and
between him and his master quite a
friendship has sprung up. Were the
Emperor always to act like this, he
might be able to dispense with his secret
agents.
But the Gar has altered considerably.
This was noticed at Berlin during his
recent visit there to attend the wedding
Of the Kaiser's daughter. The trans
formation dates from last winter when
the illness Of his only son proved 30
serious after the mishap to his leg. 1t
Is now fully known that the Cxarewitch.
bright little chap. has tuberculosis OF
the left hipbone.
Every nation has its own beliefs and
superstitions in regard to weddings. 1t
is considered unlucky to be married In
A~v Th. ,neinnx Rovnona hAliavaa Nav