ANOTHER RUSSIAN PICTURE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3984, 17 July 1915, Page 7

ANOTHER RUSSIAN PICTURE.

THE OZAR AND lIIS SOLDIERS. Everything about the Russian situation just now is of special interest. What lias been said as to the growing unity of the Russian peoples, their acceptance of this as “a patriotic war,” and the wonderful' popularity of a ruler who a year ago was in constant fear of his life, is borne out by this letter from the famous Australian who is special correspondent of the London “Daily Ohroni. le.” Writing from Odessa, whither he had gone for tho occasion, Mr Martin Donohoo tolls of the visit of the Tsar to his armies in Southern Russia. He says: “LONG LIVE THE TSAR.” The Tsar has come and gone, and in this greatest city of Southern Russia tho Ruler of alt the Russias was accorded a magnificent reception. It is extraordinary how Southern Russia and particularly Odessa, whicli are strongly Liberal and never noted for any perfervid loyalty. 1o the Throne, arc now doing them national ! duty loyally and uniting with the rest |of the Russian Empire in the light | against the common enemy of i’an.Siavdorn.

Nicholas 11. drove through streets that were lined with troops and cheering multitudes. “Long live the Tsar ! Long live Russiawere the cries which everywhere greeted the Imperial ears. The Tsar was in an automobile and attended by a single officer. He wore a simple service dress, with the kbalden iored blouse of a Russian officer. (erne am the days of distrust and unrest evidently in Gout-hern Russia. 'The workmen have made common cause in tho present war with the "classes." Never before lias a Russian ruler received so splendid a public reception as that which Odessa accorded to our Allied Sovereign. During ids triumphal progress through the streets the Tsar, dinging etiquette to the winds, stood up in his automobile with uncovered head and bowed to the cheering multitude. A N ENG LISH T Rll i I’TF..

On the balcony of the Hotel London were three Englishmen, who roared with all the strength of their lungs as the Imperial ear passed, “three cheeps for the Tsar!” The Emperor heard, and looked up, raising his cap in. acknowledgment. At the railway station, amongst the official, both military and civil, were the members of the Consular Corps. Air Roberts, the Rritish ConsulGeneral, expressed on behalf of England our national appreciation and admiration of the. valiant Russian army, which had done so .much to further tho Allied cause. He hoped that the Tsar would long be spared to direct the destinies of the country. 'The Tsar, who seemed much touched, replied in English. In a soft, musical voice, with only the slightesttrace of a foreign accent, lie said: “I thank you sin only for what you have said. We do not forget flow much we in Russia owe to the brave English and French. We are now on the high road to victory, and "with the aid of our British and French Allies our common cause shall speedily triumph.” LIKE OCR KING. I had been given an excellent place for witnessing the reception, and also at the review. The Tsar was radiant in expression and had a smile on his lips. While looking at the Ruler of all the Russias, one could not help being struck over again with his astonishing likeness to our own King. But the Tsar has a little mannerism which out’ King hits not—that oi twirling his moustache while engaged in animated conversation. I had never been so close to the Tsar before, and was able to observe him narrowly. His slightly-bronzed face is full of expression. It betokens an energy and virility of a kind which one does not always associatewith the Russian temperament. I had had a preconceived idea of a lethargic personality and a face lacking in animation and showing no strength of character. I speedily discovered that my cut and dried impressions were entirely wrong.

LITTLE FATHER AND HIS MEN

In the quadrangle by the railway station the Tsar inspected the troops. It was no perfunctory ceremony. The Emperor, at a brisk pace, walked along the entire front of the massed force, stopping to speak to a general or to a private when he had something to .say. Meanwhile the hands rolled out the glorious National Anthem of Russia. But even more impressive was the roar, of the soldiers shouting m unison, “Long live the Tsar! Long live-the Tsar! Long live our Little Father I”

Then the Tsar made a speech to the officers and men. It was effective to a degree, yet without oratorical embroidery such as the Kaiser Wilhelm would dearly love on a similar occasion. He reviewed the history of the present war, and reminded them 01 Russia’s glorious past, and of the splendid deeds of the army in the present campaign. He said:— “Do as your brothers have already done on the battlefields ot East Prussia, Galicia, and Bukowina. God wifi watch over you. and Russia will remember you.”

A hush fell upon that assembly of lighting men. Here and there a band stole up to wipe away a furtive tear. Then the silence was dramatically brolcon. The soldiers gave vent to their enthusiasm and patriotism, and, waving their caps in the air, cried, ■•Long live the Tsar! Long live our Little Father!”

Then the men were marched oil, singing gaily, ready to sited their blood for Mother Russia.