The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-07-26
RUSSIAN monk
THE ABSOLUTE
MASTEROFCzAR
CLAIMED THAT NO GREAT EU-
ROPEAN COURT is NOW UNDER
SUCH MYSTIC SWAY AS is EN-
PERoR NICHOLAS.
By ASSOCIATED PRESS.

London. July 26.-The mystic pea
sant-born Russian monk Gregory Ras-
putin, on whom a murderouS attack
was made by a woman while he was
visiting his home in a Siberian village
recently, is described by the St Pet
ersburg correspondent Of the Daily
Chronicle as 'the absolute master OF
the Russias'' 1t is certain that no
great European court today is under
such q mystic sway as that which
Rasputin has been reputed to have
over Emperor Nicholas Of Russia and
the whole imperial household. It has
been the concern of Russia for three
years back.
The rise Of Rasputin has been as
enigma to all the mobiles of the court
who have not fallen under his in
fiuence. His absence from st. Peters
burg, during which the attack upon
him came, was hoped to mean that he
had fallen into disgrace, but just pre-
vious to the news of his being stab
bed, the announcement was made that
he had been recalled to the emperor's
palace.
This modern Richelieu, is the son
OF fairly wealthy peasant of To-
bolsk. He had but little schooling
and led an uneventful life until about
thirty years old, when he developed
religious fervor, became a lay monk
and went on a pilgrimage. At the
Jnonasteries he visited. he picked up
some learning and also managed to
receive letter of introduction to
This was In 1900. Through the in
fluerfce Of the bishop, the peasant be-
gan to meet the influential people of
the city and court. His mystic phil
osophy created interest, and he mad
the gift Of repartee and polite con-
At first Rasputin stuck to his pea
SAINT garb, in which he made a pic
turesQue figure. But soon he took up
an elegant style Of dressing and liv-
ing, which excited the envy of Bish-
CD Theofan. Tho bishop obtained an
order to exile Rasputin to Siberia But
not only did Rasputin's appeal to the
Tsar save him, but caused the bishop
to be dismissed TO Poltowa without
even time to see his dying father.
Other powerful officials tried to
check the advance of Rasputin only
to find themselves in disfavor- Ras-
putin become the intimate of the royal
family, gave orders to the ministers
and conducted himself as the supreme
power.
Tho only successful attempt to in
duce the court to send Rasputln away
resulted diSaStrously for the plotters.
Before leaving, Rasputin warned the
empress that misfoI tune was sure to
follow. When the heir to the throne
fell Ill, the frightened empress recall
ed the favorite in haste.
Since his return, Rasputin's power
has continued 20 grow. His counsel
is called for in deciding every ques-
ton Of Importance. 1t is said on high
authority that he brought about the
ministerial change last year that saved
Russia from a war with Australia. He
lived as q prince, with ma gnifiCent
villa at Yalta, in Crimea. One of his
daughters by his peasant wife Is be-
ing educated N an aristocratic girls
college in st. Petersburg and is CHIEF
companion Of the emperors daugh-
tiers. Rasputin is even reported to
address the Tsar as "tnOu' ard tree
a freedom denied even the grand
dukes.
a month ago Rasputin was ordained