Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-03-19
MARCH 10, 1917.
Russia's New Ruler

Grand Duke Michael AIexandroytch, who - a
nominal ruler of Russia now with Car Nicholas III
oyerthrown is the Younger brother of Nicholas and
has long been out of favor with the emperor.
In fact Michael az various times in his eyentful
life has been banished into exileth0ugh usually II
was called Il pOliter name-and only a few years
ago was living in France. supported from the royal
revenues hut unable TO return TO the gay life Of Pc
trograd where he was the fayorie in certain circles
The court intrigues in which Nicholas and Michael
we're central figures furnish good example of the
decadenoe of the R0manofs, and good clue to some
of the reasons for the successful revolution.
Michael made a morganatic marriage, with q
woman known as the Sheremetewska. About this
marriage much has been written, both of romance
and of politics His wife was of lowly birth, said tG
be considerably his senior. but beautiful accom-
plished and ambitious The rOmance.writers told
how the grand duke had virtually renowned posi-
bility of succession to the throne TO remain with
his commemorative. The commentators on ROmanof
intrigues pointed ont that the woman was an infiu
entail member of the Grand Duchess Vladimir's cir
Gle The grand duchess is an aunt by marriage OF
the ear. Her son. Grand Duke Cyril. was posi-
bity TO succeed the car in case Grand Duke
Michael were out of the way
Between the Grand Duchess Vladimir and the
ears mother there has been for years rivalry sc
keen that II embraced not only the court. but the
army, the whole political structure and the re
gous structure of the empire. One of them schemed
10 turn the line of succession toward Cyril the 9th
er toward Michael.
Ii was in the midst of the dowager czarna's in
trigues in behalf Of Michael that she and the court
were shocked To learn that he had contracted the
morganatic marriage and since he refused to leave
Shefemetewska, he put himself virtually beyond hope
Of succeeding the ear To complicate matters fur
thefF ms wife was a member of the Grand Duchess
VIadimirs political group, so that Michael was
practically aiding the advancement Of Grand Duke
Cyril Grand Duchess vladimir, one OF the mosr
fascinating women of Europe is supposed never t,
have lost her influence over her nephew,
However, the revoluticn has smashed many al
intrigue-founded structure in Russia, and with i
goes the abandonment of Cyrils hopes for the ron,
Of the car. Strangely enough, it is Michael VIII,
energies as the ruler, even though he rules by thu
favor Of the cosnmoIefs.
Those who have not closely followed recent Rus
sian history may be at a loss to know why Michael
one Of the true Romanoff dynasty was set on tn
throne The reason lies in his personality. He i
naturally democratic of character. in fact eve
since he little boy he has been nicknamed 9TH
piebeian.1 His determination not TO desert his MOI
ganatif wife proved. powerful factor in his favo
with the commoners even while it angered his moth
er andfthe car bitterly. He friend of the grea
counti Witte and induced the car to give soeia
recognition to Whites wife, though there was
cloud over her earlier life. Michael is now 80 wear
OF aga He is a great lover of outdoor sports. 4
popular in the army and generally regarded as ha,
ing some decision of character
Nottimpossibly Michaels accession to the thron
may be but stop-gap for the period of the wa
The real hero of the Russians is Grand Duk
Nicholas Nicholaievitch, the giant military leade
Reports are probably correct that he is to be til
e0mmander-in-chief of all the armies He is so ha,
n needed in the field that he can hardly accept ii
responsibilities of the czardom But when the wa
Is over. il Russia energies yctorousy and the gran
duke has had as large share in victory as he hs
hitherto. he will be more popular than ever Then
may become the car.
That Russia is ready for truly republican for
of government is doubtful Her millions Of ignoral
people for many generations have looked upon II
ear as the head not only of their government but
o leader Of their religious faith. In country whe
religious faith plays such a tremendous part in lii
and where millions Of peasants are accustomed
generating the head Of a dynasty, it will be dificu
to uproot the very foundations Of their faith. Ere
doom to them does not mean the right to name the
own ruler but freedom Of speech and of the pres
freedom from the CALLING rule Of spies and secret
lice, freedom from ironhanded provincial exploit
ton.
Whether the slay character will stand the ne
test remains. to be seen. Their revolution was a
complished with amazing celebrity and steadiness
conduct VIII the onrushing food Of new ideals al
new, dim aspirations sweep them from their feet al