HONOUK OF A GRAND DUKE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1975, 4 February 1914, Page 9

HONOUK OF A GRAND DUKE.

TSAR'S COUSIN IN ENGLISH COURT APOLOGIES FOR ÜBEL.^ Alleging'-that he had been libelled in "Munsey's -Magazine" and classed as a soldier who had been guilty cf gross misconduct during war, the Grand Duke lloris of Russia, and first cousin to. tho Tsar, appeared in tho Lord Chief Justice's Court in' London oh December 18. Standing for a few minutes in the wit-ness-box, ho emphatically denied '■ the allegations, and gave a crowded court an interesting account of his actions during the ltussb-Japaneso War. 'Mr. Cunlilfe Owen, was tho • writer of -tho article entitled "Tho Succession to tho Russian. Throne," and the words complained of were: v During the' war', with Japan he . (meaning the plaintiff) distinguished himsolf only by misconduct so gross ' as to cause the. Russian Generalissimo to threaten, him with courtmartial, and to compel him to take his departure from tho seat of war. Mr. I'\ K. Smith, K.C., said a settlement had been arrived at. .The Grand JJuko, ho said, resided in England,.' and felt ho could not allow tho allegations to pass- without protest. The' wholo of them wore absolutely contrary to the truth. From tho moment tho Grand Duke went to tho war'to the date he left be himself with crodit for bravery,-and General Kuropatkin, under whom ho served, gavo him a decoration for courage and coolness in action.

Saw Active Service. ■'■■ "No observation of mine," said Mr. Smith after reading- tho article, "can lend additional gravity to tho charges mado against the Grand Duko. Not only aro those gross statements not •borne out by the facts, but thereyis' nothing to warrant tho publication, of •such an'article." Tho . Grand ,Duko was appointed on tho: staff .of Goneral Kuropatkin at the conimencoment of the war. Ho saw plenty of active service, and for twelve days was continually under fire. When, ho returned to, St. Petersburg he did not go of his own desire, but because he was ordered to do so by his superior *to convey to-his cousin the Tsar, the congratulations' of tho army on tho birth of. an heir to tho throne. ■■ "Nobody," added Mr. Smith, "has ever dared to throw an aspersion on the Grand Duko's courage as a soldier. The Grand Duko has no desiroto utilise this Court, or these proceedings, to put money into his" own pocket. His only object is to vindicate.his character and clear himself' of tho grave allegations made against him. ■ Arrangements have •been mado with the defendants, who will completely indemnify tho Grand Duko rfgainst any costs ho might occur. But ,1 will add, as a warning, ibatif the allegations are repeated, a totally differ: ent course will bo taken against those who aro responsible." j

Crand Duko In the Box. The .Grand Duke, wearing a smart morning coat'and carrying ■ a silk hat, gave evidence in perfect. English. Ho strongly denied, the allegations made that ho had been guilty of gross misconduct as a soldier. ; Mr. Smith: When the war broke out it was at your special request, to tho' Emperor you wore appointed on the personal staff of .tho Commander-inChief? *—Yes;"l was 27.at the time. 1. .' Were you constantly exposed to fire? And were chgagaTih'the'battle whichtook place on July 4, 1904?— Yes. 'Has a complaint of any kind ever beeij made'of. your conduct during tho. war; by' any officer" under" whom you serv.od?—Never.' Tub Grand Duko described how ho went to Mukden, and, having reported himself to' the Viceroy, went to join Geuerql Kuropatkin at Liao-Yang, whero ho ,was attached to the 'general staff. Ho was then' 27. From March 16 to March 21, 1904, ho was inspecting tho fortifications at Port Arthur. He then returned to General Kuropatkin, and three'days later he returned to. Port Arthur, which was then being bombarded and attacked by small Boats. He remained five days in the port, and then returned to Liao-Yang, where he was, frequently under fire.

Dooarated for Services. •. On July 13, 1904, he was" decorated by General Kuropatkin for his services; .Thero bad never been any complaint by any .officer., under whom-he served, and he had never heard any suggestion that he bad misconducted himself. He had since been appointed to cominnnd| a squadron of the. Emperor's Hussars, which counsel described as the "flower of tho Russian Army." In December, 1904, the Tsar presented him, with a golden sword of honour inscribed "For- Bravery," and he 'had also been chosen to attend tho Coronation of the King and Queen 'of England. . Mr. Duke,K.C, expressed the apologies of the Frank A. Munsey Co. • Mr. Gill, K.C. (for Marshall and Co., the English distributors of the magazine), said his clients wero unaware of the existence of tho libel. At 'tho same timo they desired to join in the regret expressed by ttio other defendants. .',■'.: : .The Lord-Chief Justice said it had I.boon admitted.that.there was not tho .slightest ground for tho grave reflections on the character and honour of tho Grand Duko. "It is also manifest," proceeded bis lordship, "that once statements of this kind aro made about a gentleman of high standing, such as tho Grand Duke, they aro bound to give him great pain, and it is absolutely necessary that they should bo refuted. In this country tlio Courts arc open to people of foreign birth'.quite irrespective, of their station in life, and tho Grand Duke has taken advantage of tho Courts to put an end to the baso allegations made against him. It.has been mado perfectly clear that thero is ho foundation for the allegations."