South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-12-14

nesses Of the tragedy who gave
evidence at a special court OF
inquiry
In the early days Of March. 1917,
the headquarters OF the Russian
forces was al Mohgilhof The en-
peror had his headquarters there
also. while the empress and chill
dren were at Tsarskoe Selo. Riots
were taking place In Petrograd
and tho troops had already begun
70 show signs OF disafeCtion. Many
people thought that If only the en-
peror could get 70 Peuograd and
show himself 20 the people, the
present revolt would die out. so on
March the emperor left headquar-
tiers. and tried TO get 20 Petrograd.
but his train was stopped on the
way Then came RodzankO's ia
NOUS message 10 the emperor. say
ing that the country and the dy-
nasty were at stake. This message
was intercepted. and never reach
ed the car. The abdicatiOn fol-
lowed on this For 10 dsys before
the abdication the emperor had no
communication whatever with his
family. the empress and children
being guarded like prisoners at
TsarsSoe Selo. but cut of from all
outside communication. This fact
is worthy OF note. as IT gives the
lie TO the numerous stories that
have been circulated that the en-
press played a leading part in hi.
abdication-
The KCrCnsky Regime.
After the abdication the car was
taken 10 Tsarskoe Selo. and there,
with the rest Of his family. ne was
guarded as "A state prisoner. They
were allowed 20 keep their servants
and "a few ladies and gentlemen-in-
waiting. while their domestic ar
engagements were scarcely interfered
with at all. Whenever. however
they went out even for "A short
walk I'm the garden they were close
II followed by soldiers. Every
now and then they were subject TO
an invasion OF officials. amongst
whom Kerensky often figured
IneAe OUlclAlh WOulQ Illdht llltll
appearance at any hour and insist
on seeing the various members Of
the household; 10 these members
they addressed fnnumerable ques-
tions regarding secret telephones,
ftaircases. etc. which they imagined
existed in the imperial palace, and
By which the royal family were go
ing to escape. When they were told
that no such things existed they
were not satisfied, but would very
politely request 20 be allowed to
search for themselves. and they al
ways refused 10 inspect the rooms
unless they were accompanied by
the occupants.
Guards Insult Duchess.
on one occasion these officials
came TO see a ady-in-waiting, who
had become so accustomed 10 these
visits that she merely returned
their salutation without taking any
further notice OF them. suddenly
one OF the gentlemen. dressed Az
in black. proceeded 10 the middle
OF the room. bowed towards her
and announced. II am Kerenskv." 81
have a miraculous effect When the
lady-in-wating assured him that she
knew OF no secret telephone or pass
ages he bowed politely and left
one other incident which illustrates
he extraordinary state of affairs Is
recounted by this lady-in-waitiug
one afternoon she was looking out
Of The window when suddenly the
sentry below shouted 20 her an or
der (the translation OF which would
ne1 Take your ugly face away or
I'U shoot" The Grand Duchess
latina. who was standing by burst
into a roar OF laughter. being quite
ubIivious 10 the change of affairs
which allowed a sentry to insult
one ~ the imperial household.
The Cars Toy Gum.
Here is another incident which
81 the time caused cousiderablcNt-
tentior.- by birth the czarevitch
was head OF all the Cossacks and
they had presented him with a lit
RE miniature toy gun with wooden
bullets Tie was extremely attach
ed 20 this sun. As he was going
WAL one 0aLF Cal 4laA AlAAE AbR NtAh
~ the sentries stopped him and or
dered him 20 give Il up. Imagine
his fury, For over a quarter of an
hour the discussion ragged, and r.
nally the head OF the guard was
called: after further consultation II
was decided that he would have 70
give the gun up. Later the Incl
dent was brought 20 the notice of
Ksreusky. who az first agreed with
the verdict that ne should not be
allowed TO possess a gun with
which ne might shoot down the
people" Later on when the harm
lessness OF the instrument was real
lied Il was given back 20 Alexis
Nicolivich.
Imperial Family at TobOlsk.
The imperial family remained ar.
Tsarskoe Selo all the summer. and
from there were sent by special
train 20 Tobolsk. as Kerensky was
frightened that they would escape
The train took them as far as Tu-
men. and they were allowed 20 take