Court Sensation.

Manawatu Herald, 28 October 1902, Page 2

Court Sensation.

CZARINA MAY BE DIVORCED,

According to a telegram dated St. Petersburg, Sept, zist, and published in the New York Journal, the Czarina’s position is growing extremely precarious at Court, for although divorce is forbidden by the orthodox Greek Church, there is a strong feeling shared by peasants and aristocrats alike, that some means should be found by the Holy Synod to set her aside for a wife who is likely to bear the Czar an heir to the throne. Pobiedonostzeff, Procurator of the Holy Synod, who; through the agency of his popes, has already undermined the Czarina’s position with the masses because he believes her adoption of the orthodox faith insincere, is suspected of fomenting this agitation for a divorce. The ostensible ground suggested; is that the Czarina has never conscientiously conformed to the orthodbx religion, and therefore she never has been legally the Czar’s wife. The Czarina's misfortunes, rinsiead of winning her sympathy, have inten- > sifted the distrust and dislike with, which, as a German, she has always been regarded. Her children, who are extremely winning and attractive girls, are not only not greeted, but are actually scowled and cursed at as they ■ drive through the streets.

The effect of this terrible strain on the Czarina’s mind, inclined as it already is to hysteria, may be serjoas. It is said that but for the comfort and sympathy extended by the Grand Duchess Serge she would already .have broken down. The Czar is attached to her still, but his chagrin at his recentdisappointment is unconcealed, and hia anxiety to have an heir, is overmaster* ing, so Pobiedonostzeff’s - intrigue may prove successful.