Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-30

Devil or Saint {?
By the Princess Radziwill
tCopyrigbt. 1917. Public Ledger Company
AuKizhts Reserved
CcOntanu.d from Lest Issus1

applied himself to the task of setting
aside all his former patrons, such as
Tllidore. against whom he contrived TO
irritate several important members OF
the holy synod with false reports about
remarks which the now disgraced monk
was supposed to have made. he con-
rived TO bring about the exile Of the
archbishop Of SaratOff, HermOgene. from
whom he feared disagreesble revelations
concerning his own past life and certain
episodes connected with the days when
he had preached his so-called doctrine
In the town and government OF sara
soff on the other hand he toadied
to other ecclesiastical dignitaries eager
for promotion. and in that way obtained
their support IN the synod Very soon
ne turned his thoughts TO more practical
subjects that religious fervor or religious
reforms, and sought the society OF ousi-
ness and financial people Among these
he soon obtained the opportunities he
lonxed for and established a kind OF
large shop or concern where everything
in the world could De bought or sold,
from a pound OF butter to a minister's
portfolio.
II is no exaggeration to say that there
was q time when nothing of Importance
ever occurred in the political. social and
administrative life of the Russian capt.
tai that was not attributed TO Rasputin,
and the result OF this was that there
crowded about him all kinds Of dark
personalities. who hoped, thanks to his
support and influence, 10 obtain this
or that favor. Everything interested
him, everything attracted his stten-
tion: railway concessions, bank ennis
sions. stock exchange speculations. pur-
chase of properties. acquisition OF
shares in Industrial concerns. arranging
OF loans for persons, in need OF them
nothing seemed too small or too i'm
portant for his activity. He liked 10
link himself necessary TO all these
sSxh-born people, whom he compelled
20 wait for hours in his ante-chambers.
lust as il he had been a sovereign. And
for every favor he granted. for every
word which he promised TO say, he ex-
acted payment in the shape OF a pound
Of flesh. which consisted according 10
circumstances, in a more or less i'm
portant commission
Ministers and functionaries feared
HIM. They knew that he could do them
an inf1nitude OF harm by causing TO be
circulated against them rdmors Of a
damaging character, the result of which
would have undoubtedly been their dis
grace or removal to another sphere OF
action very probably not at all desir-
able. He was credited for an infinituoe
of things he had never thought Of per-
forming and he was supposed TO have
been privy TO all kinds OF governmental
changes that either pleased or displeased
those who criticised them. AS time went
on one accused him among other things
OF the dismissal OF the prOcurator OF
the holy synod. Mr.. Loukianoff, with
whom he had for long period been NJ
daggers drawn and who had openly ex-
pressed his disapproval OF the ''phophet'
and his disbelief in his miraculous pow
ers The elevation Of the Archimandrite
Marnawa. one OF his warmest patrons
in the past. to the Episcopal see OF To-
bolsk was also said TO have been Ras-
putin's work. and the public persisted so
entirely in seeing his hand everywhere
and In everything that IL was even ru-
mored that IL was he who was answer
able for the decision OF the censor for
bidding the representation OF drama
OF the celebrated author Leonide An
dreie called. "Anathema," on the eve Of
The day when IL was TO be produced
a decision which caused an immense
sensation in the society Of the Russian
capital
II was natural that among the many
people who crowded around Rasputin
some secret police agents found their
way one of these who was later to be-
come the nero OF more than one scandal.
n certain Mr.. Manassewitsch ManiuloR,
SefhCuzht himself OF becoming the men,
tor Of the Prophet He was in close
relation with Count White. always eager
for his own return to power and desir-
Gus OF overturning every individual in
Possession OF the posts which he had
formerly occupied himself. The two
men tried TO Undue Rasputin with the
idea that ne had great political talents.
ard that ID was a pity ne had not yet
turned these into account for good and
welfare of Holy Russia Rssputin did
rot believe in the sincerity of his newly
acqu red advisers. but he was shrewd
enough 20 see that their help would be
OF wonderful value TO him He willing
T. entered into the plans which they
ss.rscsded 10 him between two glasses OF
handy or two cups OF champagne as
sns occasion presented itself Count
Wittse was very well aware. Of all the
secret influences which were paramount
A. T'zz,rskOie Selo, and he contrived TO
tim chem in favor of Rasputin, sug-
- ing at the same time 10 the latter
trelhings which he ought to say. when
~ presence Of certain persOnages. II
Vas easy to throw in a word now and
then either in the shape OF a jest. or Of
remark uttered inadvertently and I'M
INTENTIONAL. but vet sure to bear fruit
fn the future The great thing was TO
give 70 Raspu.ia the idea that he was a
parsonage OF importance This was not
= very difficult matter considering the
very high opinion which he already had
% MS own capacities. coupled with his
set resolution 10 make the most hay
whilst the sun was shining and never to
Mss an opportunity OF asserting his per-
soral'ty no matter in what OCCASION or
with what purpose
THE BALKAN WAR AIDS THE
MONK
The Balkan war gave Rasputin gold
ru opportiInity for exercising his various
talents. and il is pretty certain that he
made at the time strenuous efforts N
favor Of peace. repeating TO whOmever
wished TO hear him that he had had Wis
ions which predicted that the greatest
caIamities were awaiting Russia. IL she
mixed herself up in it. This feeling was
shared by a numerous party. and the
sovereign himself was the most resolute
adversary Of any military intervention in
this unfortunate affair II is likely that
even without Rzsputin Russia would not
have drawn he= sEcrd either for Bull
aarIz or for Serbia. but nevertheless II
pleased his friends to say that without
this would have most undoubtedly 90
CURED. And IL also pleased him TO as
xert that on this occasion he had proved
10 be the saviour Of his native land We
shall see him repeat this legend with