The Washington times., 1921-10-23

th VII
He was justly accused of all sorts
of vices and every form Of debauch-
cry. He was capable Of every form
of baseness and intrigue. To many
he was the incarnation OF Satan
the Antichrist whose coming was
the signal for the most dire calami.
ties.
For a long time the Emperor had
resisted Rasputin's influence. He
had tolerated him. not daring to
wound the blind faith the Empress
had In the staretz. He feared to ex.
lie him, for. II Alexis should die. the
Emperor knew that his wife would
deem him the murderer of his own
son and heir.
Gradually he absorbed the IDEAS OF
the Empress with regard to Ras-
putin. Many tried to give him in
formation proving the true character
OF the impostor. Although some
what shaken In his convictions. the
Emperor never was fully convinced
that Rasputin was in reality a dan.
gerous character.
ENEMIES ON ALL SIDES.
Unhappily the majority Of the
Russians were little interested in
the plots Matched against the i'm
perial family. By their lack OF inter-
est they left the field clear for ad-
ventures and intriguers.
The Emperor at first acquiesced
in the desire Of Trepof to institute
moderate and intelligent reforms.
Than under the influence Of the EN-
press. supported by Rasputin, he be-
came irresolute and perplexed. He
had so often been fooled that he did
not know In whom to place any con-
fidcnce. He felt isolated and
abandoned by everyone.
Since he had taken command Of
the armies he had spent his strength
recklessly. But the task was too
heavy and consequently he sub
mitted more and more to the
Czarina's influence.
Rasputin became fully aware Of
the hatred which his life was arous-
ing against him and dared no longer
to leave his small apartment in
Petrograd. The country was
thoroughly aroused against him and
ardenuy awaited the hour when
someone would have courage to put
him out Of the way.
TRIPLE AID FOR RAsPUTIN.
Rasputin, however. was well
guarded. The imperial police
watched his house day and night.
He was equally we'll guarded by tho
revolutionary socialists, who be-
lieved he worked for them.
do not believe that Rasputin was
in reality an agent in German pay.
but he was certainly a valuable in.
strument in the hands Of the Ger
man General Staff who ordered their
spies to take precautions to proloag
the life Of such a precious ac.
complice. These spies were also
personal bodyguards.
Many attempts were made to
prove to the empress the true per.
sonality Of Rasputin. But they all
came to naught.
Alexis and l left for the front
again December IS.
"Rasputin has been murdered"
As unexpectedly as the explosion OF
a German mine this news reached
headquarters December 80.
A number Of real patriots had be-
came thoroughly convinced that the
prophet" must go: IL It could not
be done legally. then for the safety
OF Russia he must be put out Of the
way. Among those who hatched the
plot were the Grand Duke Dimitri
Pavlovitch. second cousin of the
Emperor; Prince F. Youssoupof. NJ.
and DR.. Lazarevsky,
all connected with the government.
/. They were convinced that their
plot did not constitute an act Of
conspiracy against the imperial
family. II was in reality the e1.
ecutfon of a criminal whom the
whole nation had judged guilty Of
treason because he had abused the
confidence OF the sovcreigns.
They seized Rasputin one night.
brought him to the home OF Prince
foussoupof. There he was shot and
mis- body thrown into the Neva.
The Empress was tbunderstruck
and almost hearbroken. They had
Killed the man she believed to be
the savior OF her childl Now that
he Was gone every horrible dis
aster would fall on Russia, sh.
feared.
Every terrible disaster did fall
on tho imperial family, for Ras.
sputn's death came too late. He
had caused their downfall.
Another installment OF this re.
revelation viii sppcar
IN next Sundays Washington
Times. Pierre GIIIiard win tell