Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-08-16
EXILE TO SIBERIA IS SAME FATE
TO WHICH RoMANoFFs
DOOMED MANY.
PUNISHMENT DECIDED ON
At SECRET MEETINGS
Motives Of Ministers Said to Be Both
Political and MiIitary-ordinary
Train Used to Spirit Family From
Petroarad-Effort Made to Avoid
Crisis.

Petrograd. Aug. 16.-The semi off,
eial Russian news agency announcing
that former Emperor Nicholas and his
family were removed from the palace
at Tsarskoe- Selo and transported -
Tobolsk, Siberia, says that y. V. Mex
rasoff, vice premier, announced tnat
the removal of Nicholas was decided
on after series of secret sessions OF
the council of ministers.
The motives of the ministers, he
said. are political and military. 1t was
decided TO get Nicholas out Of the way
before circumstances arose making 1t
difficult. When the former emperor
reaches his destination the facts will
be announced.
Use Ordinary Train.
The family was spirited away early
yesterday morning from Tsarskoe- SEQ.
No one except the local military and
officials especially sent from Petrograd
witnessed the departure.
Instead Of the gorgeous imperial
train in which Nicholas was taken 70
Tsarskoe- Selo from Mohilev in March
an ordinary train composed OF three
sleeping cars, dining car, and several
third class coaches was sent. A Sec
ond train was assigned 10 tage the
baggage and servants, fifty Of whom
accom- panied the sv- emperor and MS
family into exile.
Nicholas was depressed, but Alexan-
dra, who was seen walking for the
s-st time in months. seemed lively and
pleased a. the prospect of a change in
surroundings.
Select Guard With Care.
In view of the need for special pre-
cautions the guard between the palace
and railroad station was not composed
Of any single unit. but OF delegations
of eleven trusted men from each bat
talon OF the Tsarskoe- Selo garrisons.
An hour after the train arrived
Nicholas appeared on the steps Of the
palace dressed in a colonels uniform,
with a khaki blouse and no decora-
tions. He entered an automobile, &C
companied by Prince Dolgoroukoh and
Count Benckendorf, former court mar
shall. who thus far have shared his
captivity.
They were followed by the former
Empress Alexandra, who wac accom-
panied by Countess Na-yshken, her
close. friend and former lady Of the
court; all the four grand duchesses,
with their maids Of honor, and finally
by Alexis, the former heir to the
throne, at whose side was the gigantic
sailor, 'Derevenko,' the protector OF
Alexis since his birth and his con-
slant companion.
Plan to Deceive Public.
The public was unaware OF the
transfer until late last night. In order
to keep up the fiction that Nicholas
was still in the palace, the guards were
retained around the park and special
vigilance was shown in keeping the
people away.
Many rumors are current in regard
to the motives for the removal Of the
imperial family and as ia its dest!na-
ton. The semi official news agency
says the demands for Nicholas trans
fer were due to fears Of the authorities
that attempts would be made 70 lib
crate him in connection with counter
revolutionary movement.
a prevalent theory is that the dis
covery Of the letter in which General
GErko, former commander Of the
southwestern front, expressed loyalty
to the former emperor, ard Of plots 10
effect the escape Of Nicholas, caused
the council! OF deputies tc demand his
removal 20 safer place. II. Nekrasof
said, however, that all stories that the
removal was connected With the Gu!ko
affair or with attempts to Ioerate
Nicholas were untrue.
Sought to Avoid Crisis.
Our motives were politics and mill
tary," he continued. We decided 20
get Nicholas out Of the way before cir
cumstances might arise which would
make this difficult. Il is absolutely IN
true thar the council Of deputies COM
pej.ed the government 10 act.
Secrecy was dictated by considera-
tons Of absolute necessity. In this par
tjcular such precautions were taken
that the destination " TIE train -2s
and still is unknown TO the chief Of
the traffic department Of the ministry
Of communications, who vas Entrusted
with the arrangements. We shall an
Jlounce the fact as so1n as Nicholas
has reached mis- destination"