The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-03-30
PRISON OF CAR
ONCE HIS PALACE
His Health Perfect-Spirits, However,
Sometimes Low, Bringing Him to
Point OF Tears. COns0rt Ill

Sometimes Low, Bringing Him 10
Point OF Tears. COns0rt Ill
Tsarskoe Selo, Sunday, March rs
(via London, March 26).-Penetrat-
ing today into and under the vast
prison space of Nicholas Romanof,
the deposed emperor, the correspon-
dent of the Associated Press obtained
from the jailer the first reliable state
ment OF the former emperor's condi-
ton and later visited the desecrated
grave Of Gregory Rasputin, Russla's
real autocrat for a decade and the
unintending parent OF the revolution.
Since the visit paid by the cores
pondent to the palace last week. sew
eral measures have been taken ~
guard the prisoner. These grew. out
OF the rumors of an attempted flight,
monarchist consplracies against the
Temporary government and pressure
bv extremist forces. The guards have
been increased and a special repre-
sentative OF the council OF deputies
put among them.
On announcing his desire to visit
the grave Of Rasputin the soioiers
demanded his passports of the Asso-
ciated Press correspondent and tnen
led him to the kitchen entrance Of the
palace prison. which is the head
quarters Of the guards.
Behind the kitchen entrance stand
complex system of low buildings
built around a courtyard and enolne
in series Of subterranean and semi
subterranean galleries, running the
whole way under the palace. Ihe
first of the two entries leads under an
arched portico into small, untloy
courtyard surrounded by one story
buildings. At the second entrance
we're four sentries of the First Trail
leur regiment, from which, out OF 1ne
FIVE regiments now garrisoned IN
Tsarskoe Selo, were chosen the
euards. az the result of the regiments
revolutionary conduct at KeV tec
years ago.
The First Test
Inside the second entry, small hall
crowded with soldiers, was an III
painted ikon with red lamps burning
hanging over dingy wooden desk de
which the soldiers note the name OF
all those entering.
Bevond two lateral staircases at
the back Of the hall lies the mystefl-
o,s part of the palace. Leading away
from between the staircases runs an
! interminable vaulted gallery, oroKen
bv shorter right and left tranVefse
galleries. All are wlndo"less' al
nearly every other door on the long
gallery a telephone is affixed, tor
some mysterious reason. Asking MS
I soldier escort if these telephone were
connected with the spy and protec-
tive systems, the correspondent re-
ceived the answer, "preclsely SO.
The rooms of the gallery seemed
also to be underground by Judging
bv their ornamental padlocked doors
thew are not cellars. They only bear
an inscription. One reads, Servants
of the Most August Children the
other bears a. placard from pre-re'o-
lutionarv times showing it to nave
been the bureau of the ohcer OF lne
dav of Emperor Nicholas unoeL-
ground guard In this room, 10 WHICH
he was led by a soldier, the corre-
snondent met the officer of the DAY:
can't Bowers, who sharply censureo
the man for bringing the correspon.
dent and who said to him, you are
tbe only person other than a soldier
or prisoner who has passed tnrouen
the gallery since the revolution.
The captain sent the correspon
dent TO the palace commanoant' oaV-
alrv Can't. Kotzebue. He gave the
correspondent a soldier escort ano
oarrnit IN pass along the road 10
Rasputin's grave.
Nicholas Chief Jailor.
Tho cantain is Nicholas chief jallor
and responsible to the duma 1nat Nv
fight takes place and that there IS ~
/ breach in the severe inspection re-
gime He is youthful and uroane, al
oficer of the guard type, speaRlns
french and English. Apparently ne
was chosen by the duma lmpfison-
| ment commission to respect 'n0 '0o
capabilities Of his prisoner. po,.
| After telling ,lne AsoooAo -,
correspondent that he had been gwen
orders to Arrest all civilians VINO asAeo
the soldiers questions about the com
| plex geography Of the palace Hape.
Kotzebue consented to say someenlns
about the condition OF the former
emperor and his family IN tnelr l"-
nrisonment, politely calling N1cnoias
former emperor" where all the sol- SO
diers say brusquely Nicholas no
manoR." da,
The former emperor is not under r
detention but in all respects IS d .,
prisoner and is treated accoralnsly,
said Capt. Kotzebue. "He is IN per,
fectly good health and in fairly sooa
spirits. When he is with ms own WI
encourage he has fits OF crying ne ne
is no longer allowed in the park, out
vice daily, from II to O'Clock ne
is permitted to walk for recreation
in the rallied garden between the east
and west wings Of the palace. out-
side the railing are six soldiers con
! - 49, eooo1lad INTERN odlaCe