Imperial Valley press., 1937-01-03

and created much comment in Europe at the
time. He also translated the plays of Shake
speare into Russian, and then played some OF
the leading parts himself. If you could inter-
view him instead of me. you would have some
thing really interesting to write about"
I AGREED that Grand Duke Constantine would
most certainly make interesting copy for an
interview To myself wondered if the Grand
Duke would have made as good a businessman
as good American his son George!
Prince George still has vivid memories of the
old Russia He recalls days at play with his
younger cousin, the Czarevitch He remembers
a feeling of uneasness, sometimes fear, even
dread in the presence of the mad monk Ras-
putin. He remembers, too, less vvidly, the gay
ness of the Russian court before the war. There
were days when he was very small boy that
he can recall visiting the regimental headquar-
ters of the company of Royal Cossacks of
which his father the Grand Duke Constantine,
was commander He can remember the thrill he
experienced at the flash of their sabers. the
regality of their high boots. and the beauty
of their fine horses
One thing that he recalls above all others is
the old Russian music-gay. vvacious spar
king, but with elusive note of melancholy
flowing through it.
"Often find myself humming tunes that If
| tried to remember what they were couldn't"
he said with wistful whimsicaty playing
sometimes when I'm at work. sometimes when
l awake in the night or again when hear
other music. There's something strange aboutA
it. The melodies of those songs seem to be the
only tie that still binds to Russia. can't
say that recalling them saddens gladdens
me, but it invariably sends my thoughts cata-
putting back to the old days in st. Petersburg.
l see droshkas flying through the snow, hear
the gay laughter of the Cossacks riding through
the streets and sometimes fancy paints pictures
for me of the wraith-like dancers of the ballet,
who perform for us often at the Palace
like to remember those things" He laughed. II
didn't intend to go sentimental on you" he said
apologetically
THE Czar and Czarina were very fond Of
Prince George, and he spent much time at
the palace. He remembers them as two people
who were always very kind to him.
when tell you they were very kind to me-
1 can see what you are thinking" he said. -.You
are thinking of the stories of cruelty and op-
preston. OF course the masses of the Russian
people were oppressed, but Car Nicholas him
self was not the sole cause of this, as the Boil
sheviks tried to make the world believe It was
the whole system of things that had been going
on for generations. The Russian royal family
ruling at the time of the revolution really had
very little to do with it. They knew no other
life than that of their ancestors. 1t is said that
conditions for the proletariat were deplorable
This was undoubtedly true, my own people have
told me they were. I myself, of course, was too
young to know much of that side of life.
Russia was even worse after the revolution
But today, it is different. Russia is making
great strides forward. It Is becoming less radi-
cal Ten years more will bring even greater
Improvement and vast changes of thinking and
policies of the government Russias future to-
day is bright on the horizon, rising sun mount
ing in blue sky. Who can say that its future
koI .s~-l
archy? can only repeat that believe the
only kings of tomorrow will be the kings of
commerce and industry.
And so spoke prince