The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1922-06-23
HOW GEAR REACHED
WAR DECISION TOLD
Memoirs of Countess Give Incidents
Heretofore Unpublished.

Berlin, June Intimate details
of the ciroumgtsEtcs leading up to
the abdicatlon Of the late Car
/ Nicholas III are told in the memoirs
of the septuagerian Countess Klein
michel, whose salon in Petersburg
was the rendezvous Of all the leading
actors who took part in the great po-
litlcal drama played on the stage of
the czar's court during the fateful
years of the war.
As the distinguished memorialist
bases her recital upon facts furnish
ed her by Count Fredericksz, the per-
sonal adjutant of the czar, there is no
reason to doubt either its authenticity
or accuracy.
The countess related that when in
/ the year 1915 the car, acting upon
the advice of the empress, decided to
take active command of the Russian
troops, Fredericksz summoned up the
courage to say to him:
Your majesty, implore you to
do nothing of the kind. The laurels
which your majesty hopes to win will
soon be transferred into thorns."
an other words, you think me in
capable" replied the car, with an
injured accent.
Science OF War.
,sr -, ,ro;no 20 bo ". rfan.lx, franz
with you, majesty. The science of
war must be seriously studied and
then put into active practice. In
reality, the only practical experience
you have had was in commanding a
battalion of the Guard Hussars. You
were about to be given the command
of a regiment when fate called you
to the throne. This preparation is
entirely inadequate, particularly in
time of war"
you overlook the fact that l have
constantly occupied myself with ma
neuvers and matters of military adj
ministration, said the car, land in
any case shall have General Russki
as my aide, whose knowledge and
authority is unquestioned."
BE that as it may! But permit
me as your humble and devoted SER
want to implore you once more not
to assume this responsibility. Place
the chief command in the hands OF
General Russki, or any other general
you think fit, but do not desert
Petersburg.
DO not deprive yourself of the
possibility of exercising your right
of criticism and do not lay yourself
open to criticism. AS commander-in-
chief you would be held responsible
for our defeat, and God only knows
what it would all lead to-
Gar Argues Point.
In reply the car argued:
1.-The people love me as does also
the army, and l feel myself perfectly
safe in their midst. Moreover, my
mind is made up"
Two hours later Fredericksz was
called to the empress, who he found
in an indignant mood.
THE car has told me of your con-
versation. Why was it necessary to
excite him TO such degree just at
moment when he is in need of his ut
most strength and energy?"
II acted only at the bidding of my
conscience" he assured. 81 consider
his decision a most portentous one,
as he Will no longer be the monarch,
the anointed one, but the comman-
der-in-chief, at the mercy of every
ones criticism"
"You would undoubtedly have pre-
ferred to see Grand Duke Nikolaus
wrest his power from him piece by
piece and fragment by fragment, I'M
der the pretext that it was made by
request of the General Headquarters,
to which everything must be subor-
dinated," the empress declared.
THE grand duke demands that the
ministers should go to Baroniwitschi,
the better to cooperate with the mil
itary authorities. He is wrestling
from the car his authority in all
branches Of the government, and his
commands are frequently met by his
ministers with the excuse that it
j would be necessary first to take
counsel with the grand duke.
These conditions are unbearable.
His majesty is in reality gradually
being deposed, and ] can see the mo-
ment approaching when his throne
will be usurped by the grand duke.
You say he should depose the grand