The Washington times., 1922-06-18
COUNTESS TELLS HOW
CAR REACHED
HIS WAR DECISION

with the excuse that II would De
necessary first to take counsel
with the grand duke.
These conditions are unbear-
able. His majesty Is in reality
gradually being deposed, and I
can see the moment approaching
when his throne will be usurped
by the grand duke. You say he
should depose the grand duke and
put Russlxi. Alexjew, or Brussiloff
in his place! But you know his
character too well to believe such
a thing possible. Unfortunately.
he has always feared his uncle.
He would not be able to defend
himself against the opposition he
would be sure to meet from the
grand duke.
FEARED HIS UNCLE.
mo, the only solution for him
is to take over the chief COM
mand. Believe me when say
that / have thought this all out,
in more than one sleepless night.
And even though wes should meet
with great opposition In court
circles and in military head.
quarters, that IL to say. among
the creatures of~the grand duke.
I am still convinced that we would
have the army and the people
with us"
The old Fredericksz told many
Of the details of the cars abdi.
cation. He said the latter was ex-
tremely vacillating. and was final
ly only persuaded TO place his
signature under the document by
brutal treatment on the part of
General Russki. who took him by
the arm, thrust the paper into his
hand and said
Sign this, sign II, I say. Can
you not see that nothing else re-
mains for you to do? II you do
hot hpoiCatoJ CahhUt 70 TespoH-
,sible for your life"
RUSSKI WAS EMPHATIC.
Fredericksz endeavored to inter
vene. whereupon Russki turned on
him. saying:
II am not speaking to you.
Your place is no longer here.
The Gar should have known long
ago that the proper persons to
have about him were Russians
and not Baltic barons.
Countess Kleinmichel gives an
account Of the manner In whicl
the car was coerced into signing
the papers Of mobilization. She
writes:
His genuine love Of peace was
gradually undermined by the rep.
reservations of Suchomilnow. his
minister OF war, as to the glory
and prestige to be gained by wag-
ing a successful war. The Grand
Duke Nikolaus was working for
the same end. but Il was Sassonow
who gave the final impetus by de-
claring that nothing but q war
with Germany would insure the
cars life and throne.
The empress was opposed to
the mobilization and said:
"'The terrible calamity must be
averted at any price. There II
some. mistake about the matter.
The mobilization. in any case, In
not directed against Germany. but
against Austria, and II wilhelm
thinks otherwise, he had been mis-
informed
, Again In pleading with the czar
to. heed the advice Of the old
Fredericksz. she said In English:
'Nicl<y. you call him sometimes
an old fool; but he is not an old
fool. He is more devoted to you
than somebody else. Give the or
ders about the mobilization. Niclky.
do II. s
"The czar seemed to xaciiiate.
whereupon Sassonow turned to
FredericlSsz saying:
"T have the courage to assume
the entire responsibility. This
war lie inevitable and viii make
Russia stronger and more powerful
than ever before. And you. q min
lister Of the royal house. who
should have at heart the interests
Of your sovereign. are willing to
see him sign his death warrant.
AZ the Russian people win never
forgive him for bringing such hu-
initiation upon the country
''suchomilinow and the grand
duke were summoned to q con.
ference with the czar. and the next
day Europe was plunged into war"