Evening star., 1922-01-22

that we would countenance any ar
rangement such as that which you
suggest. We want only equal rights
for our people in Russia, and desire
no special privileges. So far as the
sia herself to choose her form of gov
ernment and those whom she would
place at its head. The influence Of the
Vatican will be exerted in favor of
no one
HTHERE was nothing, accordingly
for Youssoupoff to do but to
bow himself out
what is the basis Of the princes
claim to the throne?" was asked.
"Youssoupoff married niece of the
late czar. She was the Grand Duchess
Irene, daughter Of the Grand Dichess
Xenia. who was a sister OF the late
emperor and of the Grand Duke Alex
ander Nikailovitch. This constitutes
the princes only claim to the throne.
and it is manifestly a slight one.
Russia. however. needs at her head a
man of ability, of strong character
and Of exceptional prestige. When a
restoration takes place, as assuredly
1t will. the choice of czar will de-
pend less on any claim to the sue
cession by right Of birth than on the
personal characteristics of the re-
spective candidates. This is perfect
ly realized by Prince Youssoupoff.
who depends on his reputation as
man of action and his prestige as the
guardian of the distressed Russian
aristocrats throughout Europe to
give him the crown"
"And what about the other candi-
dates
Assuming that the Grand Duke
Michael. the cars brother, is dead
he disappeared from his bolshevik
prison at Perm about month before
the murder Of Nicholas II and his
family-the Russian with the best
claim to the throne is the Grand
Duke Cyril. AS the eldest of the
three sons Of the late Grand Duke
Vladimir, he is a cousin of the late
emperor and senior in line after
Grand Duke Michael. He lives quite
modestly at Cannes and is fairly act
i've in political wire pulling. He
married a daughter Of the late Duke
Of Edinburgh, whose first husband
was a prince Of Hesse-Darmstadt and
q brother Of the late czarina. Cyril
believes that the collapse of the So
Wet government will come from with
In and is patiently biding his time.
He is a man of resolute character and
enlightened views and may be de-
scribed as a liberal. II called to the
throne he could be trusted to rule
wisely.
AFTER him, the Grand Duke Mich
olas, as an uncle Of the late czar,
undoubtedly has the clearest title to
the throne. AS commandedr-in-chi
of the Russian army he showed him
self an able organizer and brilliant
| tactician, and his removal from the
supreme command was solely due to
the fact that he declined to take or
ders from the court party. He also
resides at Cannes. He belongs to the
conservative center group.
r X X X
s1IyE now como to the last OF the
w claimants to the czardom and
the most picturesque Of the four If
you except Youssoupofr-the Grand
Duke. Dmitri. Although the credit Of
removing Rasputin has always been
given to Youssoupoff. it rightfully be-
longs to Dmitri, who is renowned for
his courage and intrepidity. That
Dmitri was the slayer OF the monk
was well known to the czar. who. as
punishment, exiled Dmitri to the Per-
sian front. thus enabling him, as 1t
fell out, after the revolution. to join
the British army, in which he became
| a captain.
"As the only son Of the Grand Duke
Paul Alexandrovitch, Dmitri is q
nephef Of Nicholas II. He is - years
old and has just returned to London
from Cannes. He is very good look
ing and is a keen tennis player and
dancer. Early in 1914 it was report
! ed that he had renounced his right to
the throne In order to marry a young
and beautiful American girl whom he
| was said to have met while skating
| in Petrograd. That was probably a
! mere fable. It was, az a matter of
fact, Dmitri's great wish to marry
the cars eldest daughter, the Grand
Duchess Olga, but his chances Of do
Ing 80 vanished when It became
known to the royal family that 1t
was he who killed Rasputin. In the
| sYent OF . ssstorartion, the part he