Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-17
Fall of Imperial Family
Due to evil Influences"
Which Surrounded Court

PETROGRAD, March 16. via London.
March 17.-As early as two months ago
rumors became current that the en-
peror would be forced to surrender his
throne. Until that time the chief dis
satisfaction at the economic disorgan-
ization of the country and the criminal
mismanagement of affairs was vented
against the cabinet, and the influence OF
the court was only vaguely alluded to-
without touching the person of the en-
peror. 1t became definitely known that
irresponsible and evil influences. SYM
bolized by such figures as Sturmer.
Protopopon and Rasputin. had a deeper
and more powerful source than the gov
eminent itself.
The prevalence Of startling rumors Of
court scandals and intrigues and the
seemed to run from court circles into
the camp Of the enemy. contributed to
bring the imperial family into complete
dlsfavor. Whether these were true or
not. 1t was felt that the weakness Of
the ruling family in allowing persons
to direct the affairs Of the country
who were secretly designing against
the best interests of the nation and
apparently doing all possible to inter-
fere with the proper conduct of the
try.
SRAAAAoAS AASSAy Lap CoSSA.
There was little restraint in the man
ner in which this opinion was express
ed. Accusations were made against the
empress in almost every gathering
where people privately assembled to
discuss the political situation. From
the tribune of the duma the same thing
was limited in yelled form. Prof. Milu-
kof. in his address at the opening Of
h. A,rvv,4 los nhAr
count from a German paper which
spoke of a group of mysterious persons
who were gathered around the young
empress. He used this article as the
basis for an attack upon the dark
forces" which reflected the pro-German
influence at the court.
1t was the general conviction when
the revolution began that 1t had been
provoked by the government, working
through the medium of the police. and
that the government had decided upon
this daring expedient as the means Of
completing its previous efforts to tie up
the industrial activities of the country
and bring the war operations to a COM
plete standstill. But the force which set
IN motion and first appeared easy to con-
troll. drawing to itself all the discordant
elements Of the country which were
awaiting an opportunity to revolt. soon
became so tremendous that 1t was i'm
possible to hold.
Dazed by Its Suddenness.
So swiftly, Unexpectedly and COM
pletely did the great change come that
the people are almost dazed and seem
scarcely able to understand what has
occurred. Injured through centuries to
the grinding oppression of autocratic
rule and regarding freedom as q glorious
dream which would forever remain a
dream. the people seem disposed to re-
gard their liberation as. at most merely
y temporary respite which must soon
give way to the ancient law Of imperial
will.
The reception of the new manifesto
at army headquarters Is awaited with
the greatest anxiety. for 1t is known
that unless It is favorably met by the
six million men at the front the new
regime cannot endure. There is no
reason to suppose that the soldiers on
vhe lighting line will show a different
attitude from the soldiers and civilians
in Petrograd and the other cities. except
"a as far as their remoteness from the
scene of the revolution and partial ig-
norance Of the conditions which brought
IL about may affect them. But since
upon their acceptance hinges the fate
being breathlessly anticipated. With
them rests the decision as to whether
Russia shall build up a new govern
ment on a prepared foundation or be
High Personages Arrested.
Arrests of individuals out of tune
with the new order of affairs continue
from day to day. Among the latest ar
rested was the Countess Kleinmichael.
. prominent Russian woman, who is
well known in court circles and who for
q long time had been conspicuous as
an intriguer and a tool for the dis
semination of pro-German propaganda
Hitherto she had enjoyed immunity
because of influential connections.
The countess was taken under guard
to the duma building
n Soukhomlinoff. former minister Of
war. narrowly escaped lynching at tho
hands of angry soldiers when his iden-
tity became known as he was being
conducted before the duma committee
Yesterday more than sixty trains
were dispatched over various lines for
the purpose of bringing foodstuffs and
other necessaries to the apital While
II Is too early to observe any marked
change in the prices Of food, 1t is sig
nifcant that notices of greatly reduced
prices have been posted in several
shops A large number of teahouses
have announced that they will supply
tea free to soldiers.