New Britain herald., 1929-03-05
RUSSIANS DISPUTE
 OVER NEW LEADER
Grand Duke NichOlas's Death Starts Controversy Afresh

Cannes, France. March 5. R>-The death of Grand Duke Nicholas has left a hot dispute as to who shal! head the homeward bound aspira- tions of Russian refugees.
 Nicholas worked night and day to build an organization whereby his scattered countrymen might eventu- ally reestab blish themselves in the country from which they are exiles When his heart grew weak he named a successor. according to those highest in his confidence. in. cluding his wife. That successor Is Gen. Alexander Paul Koutiapoff.
 Some of Nicholas supporters im- mediately denounced Koutiapoff as "self-appointed" and went over to the side of Grand Duke Cyril, self declared pretender.
 Cyrils new followers object to the appointment of a Russian. no matter how distinguished his mili- tary record. who is not an aristo- crat. Nicholas was both soldier and aristocrat. and owed more of his popularity to his leadership of the Russian army in 1914-'15 than he did to his high berth. He was the late czar's uncle. whereas Cyril is the czar's brother.
 Although Romanoff code gives Cyril precedence in possible suc- cession. public sympathy gave Nicholas the greater prestige and following during his lifetime. An- tagonism arose between the two over the maintenance of military leadership and organization among the scattered refugees.
 Nicholas believed that unity and leadership were the hope of the royalists, and while he never took any action which might embarrass the government of the country which gave him refuge he Is known to have dreamed of a military coup. would reclaim the land of the czars from the soviet.
 One of the mainstays of Nicholas organization is the Gallipoli union, formed of members of the Wrangel army, the last Russian white army, dissolved at Gallipoli. It numbers about S5,O00 and has already ac- knowledged Koutiapoff's authority The union maintains meeting places in several countries.
 In Paris 21 other military organi- zations, made up of officers of an equal number of Russian regiments, | support Koutiapoff. It is understood that 25.000 men are enrolled in the | regimental organizations. The Con- ! mercial union, an important civil | organization of former manufactur- CTS and industrialists, has accepted | Nicholas appointee.
 The new leader has a reputaion | for fearlessness and honesty as a soldier. He was appointed chief | of the Russian army by Nicholas irnmedately after the death of l Nrangel and still holds that title, l NOW an honofary one. His activity I a% Nicholas chief aid exposed him | , some danger from Russian radi- rlls. His task has made him some
 ''il<> Vi lIIdu Ol IltSttIy III Europe.
 The influence of Cyril is strength ened among the more conservative aristocrats by the fact that he re- tains some of his fortune and has a 12-year- son, Prince Vladimir, de- clared crown prince in 1924 by Cyrils proclamation.
 In the event Of Cyrl's death. and his sons the pretender's title would go 10 his cousin. Grand Duke Dmitri Paulovitch. who married Audrey Emery, an American heiress The grand duke conferred the title of Princess 1lyins.i upon her. Dmitri and his American wife have a two- year-old son. Prince llyinski.