Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-08-02
KERENSKYS TEACHER
TELLS OF HIS YOUTH

Berlin, Aug. Professor F. Duk-
never. former teacher OF the great
Russian War Minister, Alexander F.
Kerensky. gives a description OF the
early days of the great statesman IN
the Tageblatt. He says:
In the fall OF 1884, was sent to
Tashkend. in Turkestan, as a pro-
lessor of the gymnasium (collegel.
Although | had lived in Petrograd
several years and spoke the Russian
language perfectly. the teachers OF
the institution greeted me with con
siderable dstrust at first and be
slowed the nickname "Berliner' upon
me. The director OF the gymnasium,
Professor Nicolai Petroyitch Ostrou-
moff. however. treated me with the
greatest consideration. This excel
lent man was a great student of the
rurko-Tartaric languages and main
tanned intimate relations with the
native Mohammedans. The learned
mullahs, kadis and mudaris of the
city and the deposed Prince off Ko-
kand were daily guests in his hos
pitable house
Director OstroumOff, despite his
friendship of the Mohammedans, was
strictly orthodox Only with one man
he did not get along well. This was
Fedor Michailovitch Kerensky, chief
inspector of the educational institu-
lions of Turkestan and father of the
present Russian war minister.
in the five years during which |
was member Of the faculty of the
college there was no actual clash
between our director and his superior,
out they made no effort to conceal
heir dislike for each other.
THE two sons of Kerensky were
Students Of the gymnasium when |
| arrived. Alexander, the present war
minister, had just entered the fourth
{ ,lass, and his brother, Fedor, was in
he sixth. The school, under the con
rol of the orthodox church, was con
! Iucted in a severely religious man
rer. The young students had no
| iberties whatever and were compelled
attend mass in the college chapel
very Saturday, Sunday and holiday,
Some sang in the choir and others
served as altar boys.
1.-THE strict religious discipline
Weighed heavily on the boys and
| young men. They did not dare rebel
| openly, but their hatred for the re
dictionary, orthodox regime was evil
lent They became morose and spite
Jul and many, when they left the col
ege to continue their studies in some
| University, joined the Nihilsts. a
number who had been among my best
pupils and were intimate friends OF
young Kerensky, lost all hope anc
'aith in the future and ended their
ives while students of the universe
les of etrograd Moscow, Kieff ant
odessa. Others were sent to Siberia
rs revolutonists,
Chief Inspector kerensky, like hi
'ector Ostroumoff, was a scholar o
| renown, Before his appointment Il
his high position in Turkestan he hal
leen professor of philology and higl
{ school director in the province of ka
| w. Tail, broad houldered and heav
# lily built he walked with the unstead,
c | gait of seaman on land A yer!
u spare mustache adorned his broad bu
{ ! Intelligent face. His wife was del
J ! cate well educated and refined Ger
man-Russian lady, whose maiden nam
G had been Adler. Besides the two sons
Alexander and Fedor the couple hal
d TWO daughters.
4 THE elder daughter, in 1901, MAJ
+ ried the city architect of Tashkcn
{ and died two years later The youne
err went to petrograd to study med
4 cine and is now successful practil
ing physician there The family live
quietly.
Q "Fedor Kerensky the younger so
y Of the chief inspector, was yer
Iquiet, somewhat clumsy young ma
and resembled his father, while tn
! older, Alexander, had inherited tn
} delicate, graceful figure, the keen il
: tellect aud the vivacity Of his Lowell
mother At the school festivals
which were always attended by tn
most aristocratic and exclusive $,
ciety of the city he invariably playo
Is brilliant and prominent part. II
II was a tireless, graceful dancer, an o
II ator of great force and magnetism an
! an amateur actor of no mean talen
g His intellectual face. his conversation
e al powers and his refined manners wo
u all hearts for him, although he WI
very reserved and did not bestow HI
Friendship easily upon anybody
ITO the iron school disclplin
n against which many OF his comrade
u CRASHED their teeth, Alexander su
II mitted without murmur. He was
e. model student In every respect an
lp 1 m rrtad .,cV tt., ttuA.zt ,ct.n, ,.J >,