New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-01
GRAND DUKE AN EDITOR
Alexander Owned and Conduct.
ed a Naval Journal.

dSo lncOgnltO, ana ~ now Nlsltlifs
Barclay Warburton at his country place
near Philadelphia, is the only member OF
the reigning house OF Romanoff who can
boast OF having dabbled in journalism.
He owned and edited for years monthly
publication at st. Petersburg, The Sea
and It's Life in which he devoted con-
siderable space to the propagation OF his
ideas in naval matters. which are OF
very advanced character.
They are views which constantly
brought him into conflict with his cousin,
the late Grand Duke Alexis. who, as
grand admiral of the imperial navy and
its ranking officer until the war with
Japan in 1904. repeatedly complained to
the Car. though without obtaining any
satisfaction. Nor was there ever any at
tempt made by the authorities at st.
Petersburg to interfere with the publica-
ton OF Alexander Michailovltch's paper.
The grand duke. who talks English
extremely we'll. Is a very warm admrer
and friend of Rear Admiral Alfred T.
Mahan. L. s. ", and has not only trans
lated all the latter's works into Russian.
but has by distributing them gratis in
the most broadcast fashion brought them
within the reach Of nearly every oficer
or the Russian navy.
This. too. excited the Ill will Of the
late Grand Duke Alexis. Finally the
quarrels between the two became so acute
that the Car in order to put an end to
them relieved Alexander. who is his broth
er-in-Iaw. Of his active command in the
navy, in which he holds the rank OF vice.
admiral. and intrusted him with the Gre
alton Of department Of maritime trade
and commercial ports.
Improved Port Facilities.
Under his direction, works Of improve
ment were initiated in all the ports. fresh
docks and quays constructed, harbors
dredged. and schools Of commercial navi-
cation. both for sailing masters and for
seamen, were established. State encour-
agement was given 10 the organization
OF steamship Inns and TO ship building
The so-called Volunteer Fleet increased,
and. in n word. everything that one can
imagine was done by the grand duke to
develop Russias maritime trade and
prosperity.
Naturally the outbreak Of the war with
Japan played havoc for time with all
the grand dukes plans and projects in
this connection. and realizing this In
evitable result OF the conflict. he did all
In his power TO avert hostilities. In spite
of all that has been written and pub
lished 10 the contrary. II is perfectly
true that he is responsible for bringing
Besobrasoff into close touch with the
Emperor. and for time both Of the i'm
perial brothers-in-law allowed themselves
10 be influenced by the advice of this
former member of the Holy Band"
When they realized, however. about
Christmas, 1903. that instead OF seconding
their efforts in favor OF peace, he was
using his position as Secretary Of State
and as director Of the affairs in the ex-
IRENE Orient TO promote a war with
Japan. they turned their backs upon him.
Early in 1904 he received an order from
the Emperor TO travel abroad, and il may
be added that both the Gar and the
grand duke were rather gratihed by the
terrible black balling which Besohrason
received a few weeks later at the so
called English Club, the leading institu-
ton Of its kind at ST. Petersburg.
Naval Criticism Justified.
All OF Grand Duke AlexandeTs crit
clsms OF the administration OF the navy.
criticisms which had brought him into
conflict with Grand Duke Alexis were
verified in the war with Japan, and there
is no doubt that II he had been allowed
to have his way in inaugurating the many
reforms which ne advocated. the Russian
navy would have made far better show
ing I'm the battle OF Tsushlma.
Grand Duke Alexander has once be-
fore visited America. He was lieuten-
ant on board one OF the Russian warships
which came 10 New York some twenty
wears ago TO attend the Columbian ceie-
bration. II was on his return that be
married tn, Grand Duchess Xenia. eldest
sister OF Emperor Nicholas. BY this union
he has seven children, daughter, now
eighteen years old. named Irene, and SIX
boys.
According to the statutes OF the reign
ing house. reorganized by Alexander III
they do not inherit the grand ducal title
nor the predicate Of imperial highness'
which are enjoyed by their parents OUT
have 10 be content with the dignity OF
princess and princes of Russia, and the
nreex Of highness. The Grand Duchess
Xenia and her children spend much or
their time in England. at Biarritz. ana
on the Riviera.
The grand duke is a younger orother
n, George. married 10 the only SURVIVING
sIs,er of King Constantine Of Greece. and
n, Grand Duke Michael, who makes MS
bsadouarters In England, and VINO Ia
married morganatically 20 the countess
Torbv. As brother OF the widowed
Grand Duchess Anastasia OF MecNen
-Schwerin. he is an uncle OF INC
~rovn Princess OF Germany.
His father was that universally oeioVed
old Grand Duke Michael Ncholaievltch'
who az vIceroy at Tifis. where Grand
Duke Alexander was born. did SO mueh
IN nopularize Russian rule in the Cau'
casus HIS administration. indeed was
rosarded a. too kindly and too liberal py
tho advisers OF his nephew. Alexander H.
and he was superseded by Governor
General whose methods were SUCH that
q san9uinary instruction ensued. Inc
nrasent Emperor entertained the most
rro,o,,na affection and reverence for MS
gropd-uncle. who was the patriarch or the
ra,qninc house of Russia at the time OF
his demise at Cannes, three years ago
MARoUISE DE FoNTENoY.
TYLER RACK WITH TWO PLAYS