The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-09-04
COM N lander
Of CARS ARMY
IS A DIPLOMAT
Grand Duke Long Connected With
Military Affairs

London. Sept. 4.-Grand Duke Mich
olas Nicholaeivitch who is giving such
a good account of himself as comman-
der-in-chief OF the Russian armies in
the war with Germany and Austria
is second cousin OF the Emperor OF
Russia He was born in 81. Petersburg
fifty-eight years ago and since his
youth has been conspicuous in affairs
relating 10 the Russian army. lie has
been president OF the Council Of Ma
tional Defense and Inspector General
OF Cavalry. besides holding several
other military offices. For a number of
years he was commander OF the mill
tary district of st. Petersburg. At one
time he was mentioned as likely TO be
appointed Dictator in case Of the re-
tirement Of Emperor Nicholas from
the throne.
Grand Duke Nicholas presents a
striking contrast in every respect 10
his father, who was a notorious profit
gate. The present Grand Duke is uni
versauy respected In 1907 he was
married to Princess Anastasia of Mon
tenegro.
Saved Gar From Death.
The Grand Duke has often been en-
ployed on special missions by Emperor
Nicholas, who has always repOsed the
utmost confidence in him. In this con-
nectiou it is recalled that on one occa-
sion Grand Duke Nicholas managed by
display Of sound sense and diplomacy
TO avert what would have been a most
unpleasant predicament for Russia. 1t
was at the time of the conservation of
a memorial to the Russian soldiers who
had persisted in Bulgaria in the war
that had won the latter's freedom from
Turkey. The Emperor sent the Grand
Duke. with a large delegation OF Rus
sian officers, to attend the ceremonies
in Bulgaria.
\ conspiracy, organized for the most
part by leading regimental officers of
the Bulgarian army, had been organ
lied, which had for its object the kid
mapping or murder Of Prince Ferdinand
during the sham battle that was 10
follow the dedication service and the
proclamation on the spot OF Bulgaria
as a protectorate Of Russia, with a
request to Grand Duke Nicholas TO as
sumo charge of the government of
Bulgaria until the Emperor had def
nitely appointed one of the members
OF his family as yassal ruler OF the
country.
Target Of Assassin.
BY a turn OF fortune, Grand Duke
Nicholas heard OF the matter in time
and by causing Prince Ferdinand to
countermand the sham battle. by indi-
eating u him the identity OF the con-
spirators, by lavishing upon him every
demonstration Of regard and even af-
lection, and then suddenly taking his
departure, not only saved Ferdinand
his throne, but likewise extricated
himself and his Emperor from an ex-
ceedingly embarrassing situation.
As in the case Of nearly every prom
inent member of the Russian imperial
family the Grand Duke has been the
victim of several attempts at assassi-
nation. In 1906 an attempt was made
upon his life while he was reviewing
the imperial guards IN the camp at
Krasnoye Selo. The troops were en-
gagged in blank firing practice. when
the Grand Duke was startled by the
hiss Of bullets about his head. The fir
ing was stopped, ana an investigation
showed that ball cartridges had been
used by ninety-six men of the sharp
shooters Of the guard. The impaticnce
Of the conspirators had led them 10
open fire at too great a distance. and
the Grand Duke escaped.
Attempt To Wreck Train
Scarcely six months later another att
tempt on the Grand Dukes life was
made when a bomb was found on the
railroad track between Tsarkoe- Sclo
and ST Petersburg over which ne was
to have travelled and a few weeks
later the train ON which he was travel
Ing over the same road was shot at
For a number Of years Grand Duke
Nicholas has been recognized AS the
foremost cavalry leader II Russia, IL
not Of Europe. lie is very tall, and a
superb horsemau. on several occasions
during the war between Russia and
Japan the Emperor was urged 20 APP
point him 20 the supreme command Of
the Russian troops I'm Manchuria, In
the place Of General Kuropatkin. and
10 militia. 80. ont t..vftf,., 10. p.rIty on