The Washington times., 1921-10-16

by their attentions, not knowing
what to say or do.
We returned to Tsarkoie -Selo
August 2z. where the Emperor was
obliged to remain some time before
being able to go to general head
quarters. The gravest decisions
made his proximity to ths capital
absolutely necessary.
In spite Of the tremendous re-
sponsibility weighing on him. the
Emperor was never anything but
firm, decisive and full Of energy
during this period. One had the
impression that he gave himself.
body and soul. to the formidable task
Of bringing Russia through the war
successfully. He was determined to
win. and his spirit infected all near
him.
The Emporer was modest and ex.
ceedingly timid. He was one Of those
who constantly hesitate, due to ex-
cessive scruples. Because Of SEN.
sitiveness and exaggerated deli
cacy. he only decided with difficulty
to impose his viii on others.
He lacked self-confidence. and was
persuaded that hs had no good luck.
But this time he was entirely
changed. Whence this confidence?
II was because he had faith in .he
holiness Of the cause they were de-
Tending; the events Of the end Of
July had given him opportunity to
see through German duplicity. 1t
was also because he had never been
SO near his people; he felt himself
carried along by them.
BACKED BY THE PEOPLE.
He felt the entire country was
back Of him, and he hoped the po-
litical dissensions which had ended
in the presence of a common
danger would not reappear during
the war.
The disaster at Soldau. in East
Prussia, coming several days after
his return from Moscow, did not
disturb his confidence. He knew
that the cause of this disaster had
been the insufficient concentration
Of troops and the extreme precipita-
ton with which the army of General
Samsonoff had penetrated German
territory. In order to draw on 1t a
part Of the enemy forces and dis
engage the Western Front. where
the French and English armies were
falling back to the Marne.
The defeat at Soldau was compen-
sated for a week later by Marshal
Joffre's great victory of the Marne.
The Emperor kept his confidence
and all his energy. Since the begin
ming of the war. and In spite of the
opposition Of influential people. he
had forbidden the manufacture and
sale Of alcohol.
It was q serious loss for the Rus
sian treasury. which at that mo.
ment had more need for money than
ever before. But his conviction was
very strong and all the objections
raised against his act were Of no
effect.
He had done a personal act also
in seeking to replace unpopular min.
listers with men supported by the
Duma. He wished to show his sin
cere desire of a real collaboration
with the national representatives.
The Empress consecrated herself
to aiding the wounded from the be-
ginning of the struggle, and she de-
cided that the Grand Duchessos
Olga and Tatiana would aid her in
this task. They followed q nursing
course and passed several hours
each day attending the wounded
who were evacuated on Tsarkoie-
Selo.
MERCY FOR WOUNDED.
Her Majesty, sometimes with the
Emperor, sometimes alone with her
two elder daughters, visited the es-
tabli.hments OF the Red Cross In the
villages to the west and center OF
Russia.
On her command numerous mill
tary hospitals were erected, and
they organized sanitary trains, spe.
cially constructed TO transport the
wounded towards the rear. This
was very slow task, In view OF the
immense distances to be covered.
September had been marked for
Russian arms by alternatives Of sue-