Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-01-25
CHAPTER Vii lContinnedl


TN the meanwhile the efforts of the
opposition party in the Duma had
succeeded TO the extent of forcing
Mr.. Sturmer to resign as prime minis
ter; but he had influence enough to Sc
cure his appointment as high chancellor
of the imperial court, one of the most
important positions in Russia, He did
not fall into disgrace, but remained the
power behind the throne whose exist
ence, though not officially recognized, yet
was everywhere Acknowledged He had
not been dismissed, he had simply gone
AWAY very different thing altogether
in the realm of the car. Though no
longer a minister, he was still person
age to be considered as capable of an in
flnitude of good or of harm, according
as it might please him to exert his in
fiuence His successor, Mr.. Trepoff an
upright and fairly able man, did not
long retain the Office he had accepted,
much against his will. With him de-
parted one of the most popular minis
tiers Russia had known for a long time,
Count Paul Ignatieff, the able son of an
able father. He had for something like
two years held the portfolio Of public
instruction to the general satisfaction
OF the public and had come to the con-
clusion that it was useless to go on
fighting against dark powers which were
getting the upper hand everywhere.
Observation-Disclosures SON Trial"
The resignation of these two states
men was preceded by one of the most
scandalous incidents in Russian modern
history, the trial OF Mr.. Manussewitsch-
Maniulof. This had been put off from
day to day for a considerable length of
time until at last it became impossible
to secure further delay. The ulprit had
taken good care, as l have already indi-
Gated, to put in safety documents of
most discriminating nature, duplicating
many persons whom the authorities
could not afford to see mixed up in the
dirty business connected with the nu-
merous sins of Mr.. Sturmer's private
secretary. When the latter was ques-
toned by the examining magistrate in
regard to that last transaction which
had brought him into court he declared
that he had acted in accordance with
the instructions which he had received
from his chief and that it was not he
himself but the prime minister who had
received the money which the bank that
had lodged complaint against him had
been induced to pay in order to be
spared certain annoyances with which IL
had been threatened He had insisted
upon this version of the affair and
warned the magistrate that his counsel
fore the jury.
In the meanwhile Rasputin was NOV
ing heaven and earth to get the trial
postponed and to get the charges against
the prisoner quashed by the chamber of
cessation. lie had long conferences
with several ladies having free en-
trance in the imperial palace and he
had put forward, among other argu-
ments, the one which had certain points
in it's favor! that it would be detri-
mental to the public interest to have
the scandal of such trial commented
upon, by the press of the whole of Eu-
rope at time when Russia was strug-
Cling against a formidable foe, always
ready to catch hold of anything that
would discredit it or it's institutions.
For a time it seemed as if the efforts
of the prophet" would be crowned
with success. Then one fine day OPP
posite currents became powerful and
Mr.. Maniuloff was sent before jury
IN spite of his protestations and his
of revenge upon those. who had