The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-08-30
RUSSIA in HANDS
|. OF GRAND DUKES
War Policy Of the Gar Is Be
ing Shaped by Powerful
Relatives.
GOREMYKN In CONTROL
Prime Minister and Foe Of the Duma
Is Great Central Figure in
Nations War Drama.
GOREMYKN In CONTROL
a,I c,hle to IN. Washington HeraM.

Special Gable TO The Washington Herald.
St Petersburg, Aug. 29.-The policy oil
Russia in the great war is being shaped
largely by the ring Of the grand
dukes" as the relatives OF the Gar
sometimes are called. The Gar and his
family, since the declaration of wal
against Germany and Austria-Hungary
have taken the days journey from St
Petersburg to Moscow, the ancient cap
ital of the empire. which is the seat OF
Russia's operations against her enemies.
The grand dukes, who possess an
enormous influence upon the vacillating
mind of the sovereign and keep II firmly
fixed on a policy Of autocracy and re-
action are now. most of them, In the
field taking part in the fighting. Those
who are not at the front, remain con-
stantly with the Gar. influencing him to
push the fighting against Germany.
Grand Duke Nicholas.
The strongest man among them. the
Grand Duke Nicholas Nicholaevitch.-sec-
ond cousin of Nicholas II. was at the
outset OF the war appointed commander
in-chief OF the army.
The government OF Russia, still CEN
tered in St Petersburg, Is practically in
the hands Of Prime Minister Geremykin.
When he was made prime minister in
Oh lnlE year the Tu0lOlo VI al
approaching general war began 10
spread in every capital OF Europe. Gere-
mykin for many years has been one OF
the leaders Of the nationalist party in
Russian politics.
The nationalists stand for Pan-Slav-
ism They are the bitter foes of the
Pan-Germanic doctrine which unites the
Teutons OF Germany and Austria. The
Russian nationalists have for some time
been openly favoring a war which would
make the Slavs supreme in Europe and
check the growing entertainments OF the
Teutons in the Slav territory in the Bal
kans
Geremykin was a member OF the Rus
sian cabinet when Nicholas II assembled
the throne twenty years ago. He has
been in the confidential counsels OF the
Gar ever since. He is now a man OF
seventy-five years, enormously rich.
As prime minister. he succeeded Count
Wittee, the Liberal leader. who was Rus
sia's representative at Portsmouth. n.
H, when the peace was made that ended
the Japanese-Russian war.
Geremykin was prime minister in May,
1905. when the Gar received the first
congress of Russian people, called the
Duma. 1t gathered in the historic hall
Of the Winter Palace in ST. Petersburg.
the peasants being placed together. the
courtiers and cabinet council by them
selves, while the Gar, with the Czarina
and the Dowager CZarine, passed through
to ascend his throne and address his peo-
pie.
POplp of Wealth.
All the pomp that colossal wealth could
produce was lavished upon this scene to
give the effect OF masterful sovereignty
All the difference TO which the .courtiers
could give voice was display4d to over
awe the people with dread reverence for
their Emperor. The effect OF the under
sized figure, the unintelligent, unemo-
tional face Of the Gar, the smallest per-
son in the room, even his wife and moth
er towering above him. was apparent 10
Geremykin. Always opposed 10 the peo-
pies ambition for a Duma he then be-
came its implacable foe. seeing its dan
ger to the Gar. Geremykin was prime
IN 1906 only from May to July
The first Duma, which the autocracy Of
Russia had ever tolerated, began to de-
mand reforms. The Gar. Influenced by
the grand dukes prepared to yield. Gere-
mykin was amazed and indignant. On
his order, Geremykin dismissed the
Duma
Riot and rebellion followed. and the
Gar trembled for his life and the safety
Of his throne. Geremykin was removed.
In St Petersburg, where he again holds
sway, Geremykin is now confronted by
another Duma, but its members are very
because Geremykin has the
reputation of being instrumental in send
ing more exiles into Siberia than, per-
haps, any other Russian official.