The Wahpeton times., 1918-03-28
RoMAN0FFS ARE
HOUSED PLAINLY
Former Car and Czarina Have
No Gas, Electricity or
Bathroom.
FARE OF M0sTFRUGAL NATURE

Fare MosIFRUeAL NATURE
Practically Condemned to the Life Of
RecIuses-paughters Allowed to
Come and Ct Freely, but Son
Is Closely Guarded.
Paris.-Though things Russian are
rather in disfavor just now, a. short
account of the life led by the Roma:
noffs. the former imperial family, may
prove Of interest. -.
- Tobolsk has been called the "City Of
DEATH" it's temperature rarely rising
above the freezing point, Most Of. itt,
houses are built Of wood, the one
where the imperial family lives being
one Of the few brick buildings in that
part Of the country. Its ground floor
ts occupied by a company Of soldiess
installed there as guard. The two
upper floors. consisting Of II rooms
most simply furnished. constitute the
apartments of "COlonel ROmanoff."
There is neither running water nor
gas, neither electricity nor bathroom.
The servants are obliged to draw from
a nearby well the water needed for
household purposes. The rooms are
heated by brick ovens which burn
wood. The largest room is not more
than 16 feet by 10 feet.
The windows of the house look out
on an unattractive landscape. There
is not even a garden where the ex-
czar might dig and forget his bore
dom. A narrow balcony and a court
yard inclosed by high brick walls fur
nish the only breathing spots for the
imperial prisoners.
Live Life Of Recluses.
Nicholas ROmanoff and his. wife are
practically condemned to the lives of
recluses. Their sole outing consists in
attending mass at the cathedral of the
Annunciation or at neighboring mon
astery or going to the public baths,
where as a special favor the revolu-
tionary authorities permit them to
bathe once week. Whenever they go
out they are escorted by a platoon of
soldiers commanded by four officers Of
the guard.
The fare imposed upon the prisoners
Is of the most frugal nature. Once &C.
customed to the delicate refinements
Of French cooking, they are forced to
he content with ordinary Russian
dishes: pling, sort Of roll covered
with caviar; bortsch. a thick soup
made of beets and other vegetables; {;
kalacha. a cheese paste.
The people of Tobolsk show neither
hostility nor sympathy toward the ex-
lied family. Life in the small town is
consistently monotonous. The exist
ence of the former emperor drags
along in drab sadness. Now and then
he is authorized to receive the visit of
two faithful high functionaries whom
the revolutionary government permit
ted to accompany him in his exile
Count Frederiks and General Voyekov.
To them he confidcs his regrets, his
memories and his hopes.
Nicholas RomanOff said recently to
General Voyekov in an accent of pro.
found resignation:
'Has my life not always been that
of q prisoner? do not regret my lost
power. All I ask is to be allowed to
retire to Crimea. where I could live
surrounded by flowers. I feel more
than ever that would he. peaceful and
happy asa simple citizen Of repub-
lic.''
His resignation in no wise is shared
by the former Czarina Alexandra. Ev.
erythiQg in her new mode Of life
wounds. shocks and irritates her.
Nowadays Alexandra devotes herself
to her children, whom she teaches not
to resign themselves but to remember.
What makes her most indignant is that
she is allowed neither to write nor re-
ceive letters that are not opened 'by
the revolutionary officers. She con-
stantly repeats to her daughters:
"Ncver forget what we are forced
TO bear at the present moment"
Her only confidante is Countess Ma
rischkine. who was her lady in waiting
and who was allowed to follow her to
Toholsk.
Alexis Closely Guarded.
If the grand duchesses are allowed
to come and go freely in the town
without the veXation Of any surveil.
lance. tho same thing is not true of the
ex-czarevitch. Prince Alexis, who is
familiarly known as Alioscha, can &C
out and play in the public parks when
ever he likes, but he is watched by
guards specially attached to his person
The daughters of the former czal
lead simple life. Grand Duchess
Olga. the most serious of them all. has
enrolled herself among the voluntary
nurses of military hospital to which
are sent convalescents from Siberia
and where she conscient ,usly passes
! several hours day.
Grand Duchess Marie has taken ul
stenography and typewriting to hel1
her father write his memoirs. But hi
dictates nothing and writes nothing
Sometimes he leans out Of the only
window, which OverlookS the town