Omaha daily bee., 1917-06-20
Downfall of Gar.

Downfall of Gar.
Copyright, 1917, the International News
Bureau, Inc.)
Chicago, June 19.-The member of
the Duma, who, together with Gutch-
kov the famous Siberian exile, ne
gotiated the details of the abdication
of the czar at Pskov gives the details
of the historic event. He said:
After the Duma had decided to
demand the abdication of the czar,
Gutchov, the newly returned Siberian
exile, and l, were delegated to go to
Pskov, where, according to informa-
ton in the possession of the execu-
tive committee of the Duma, the czar
was staying.
"We left March IS at p. m. from
the Warsaw station. The railway
authorities gave every assistance.
The train was Immediately made up
and was ordered to go at maximum
speed. Two engineers came into our
carriage and we all went together.
We were detained at Gatchina, where
they were waiting for General Ivan
ov, who was somewhere near
Wyriesa with a detachment of troops
sent to suppress the revolt at Petro-
grad. But the meeting with lvanov
did not come off AT Luga we were
again detained because great crowds
of people and soldiers had assembled
and asked Gutchkov to address them.
At 10 o'clock we arrived at Pskov,
where we intended originally to have
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been informed of our arrival. But as
soon as the train stopped one of the
aides-de-camp entered the carriage
and said:
ellis majesty is expecting you.
In the Emperors' Presence.
"On leaving the carriage we only
had few PAGES to go to reach the
imperial train. was not agitated. |
had reached that limit of fatigue and
nervous tension when nothing, it
seems, can surprise or appear impos-
sble. Still, felt little shy because
| had to appear before the car
l.. jacket, dirty, unwashed, unshav-
en-, with a face of convict just re-
leased from one of the prisons just
burnt.
1--WE entered the imperial private
car, which was brightly lighted and
decorated in green. There we found
Fredericks, the minister of the court
and another general, whose name
do not know.
"A few moments afterward the
car entered, dressed in the uniform
of the Caucasian regiment. He ap-
peared unperturbed. He was cour-
teous. He shook our hands. Then he
sat down and asked us also to take
our seats, pointing to seat next to
him at a small table for Gutchkov,
and to me to sit opposite. Fredericks
sat down somewhere at distance,
while the general whose name | do
not know, took his seat at little
table in the corner.
lust then Ruzsky came in, and
apologizing to the car, bade us good
evening, and sat next to me, opposite
the czar. The first to speak was
Gutchkov. I had feared that Gutchkov
might say something pitiless to the
czar, but that did not happen. Gutch-
kov spoke at considerable length flu
emily, even skillfully, so far as the
construction Of the parts of his
speech was concerned.
HE did not touch upon the past
at all. He described the present situa-
ton, trying to show at what an abyss
we had arrived. Gutchkov spoke with
out looking at the car, keeping his
right hand on the table and lowering
his eyes. He did not look at the cars
face. And probably it was easier for
him to speak the whole truth in this
manner.
The Fatal Words Spoken.
"Gutchkov finished by saying that
the only way out of the situation
would be the czar's abdication in
favor of Alexis, the cars son, with
the Grand Duke Michael as regent.
When he said that, General Ruzsky
bent over to me and whispered that
this already had been decided.
When Gutchkov had finished, the
czar began to speak. His voice and
manner were calmer, and, so to speak,
more business-like than the agitated
speech Of Gutchkov.
"The car said with perfect calm
ness, as if speaking of the most ordi-
nary thing:
Yesterday and today, continuous
ly, have been thinking, and have de-
cided to abdicate. Up to 3 o'clock this
afternoon | was prepared to abdicate
in favor of my son, but now | realize
that | am unable to part from him.
Here he made very brief pause,
and added, with the same quietness:
81 hope you will understand this
For this reason have decided to ab-
dicate in favor of my brother.,"
After these words he became
silent, as if waiting for an answer.
Then | said:
This suggestion takes US by sur
prise. We only forsaw an abdica-
ton in favor of the Czarevitch Alexis
Therefore | ask your permission to
have talk with Gutchkov for quar-
ter of an hour in order to give a con-
certed reply
I'VE soon decided to accept the
czar's proposal. Gutchkov said he
did not feel competent to interfere
with paternal feelings, and regarded
it impossible to exercise any pressure
in this respect. | noticed a family ex-
pressed satisfaction on the czar's face
with these words. On my part | said
that the czar's desire, so far as
could appreciate it, though it had
against it the fact that it was opposed
to our decision, nevertheless had GER
tain advantages on each side.
"The newt, hle enDarat;o, ,,o,lJ