THE AMAZING TSARINA

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 7 September 1917, Page 1

THE AMAZING TSARINA

AFFECTIONATE LETTERS TO MURDERED MONK. Astounding revelations concerning Ihe relations between the ex-Tsarina and the infamous monk Rasputin, who was murdered ia December, are made in the Moscow paper ' Utro Rossii.' A remarkable letter which the Empress—a German princess—wrote to the monk is reproduced in the Moscow paper. The letter has several spelling mistakes, for the Tsarina, though she has been a Russian's wife for 23 years, has never learned the language correctly. It is as follows : What joy that you have come to see us! How can I thank you for all you are to me! To lay one's head ou your shoulder, to say nothing,., just to feel the joy of peace and forgetfulncss! What heavenly bliss! I thank you for giving it me. Forgive me for all my imperfections. I want to be good, to be a real Christian, but it is so difficult. How difficult ifc'is to conquer one's bad habits. But you will help me. You will not leave me, for I am weak, and love you, and have faith in you alone. Help Anna (Mine Viroubova). She is in great trouble. .You know all. God grant that we should meet soon. I embrace you. Forgive me, and give me your blessing.— Your daughter, A. A series of telegrams from the Tsarina to the Tsar and others, sent between the dates December I*, 1916, and March 20, 1917. show how the Empress interfered in political affairs, and how great was her influence — for evil—over the Tsar. All the telegrams are iu English. One, dated December 27,

referred to the trial for blackmail of the notorious Alanasevitch-Mauuiloff, private secretary to the ex-Prime Minister Sturmer. It is as follows : I ask you to stop immediately Manase-vitch-Manuiloffs case. The trial opens tomorrow at 11 a.m. The Court is likely to be hard on him. Stop it for your own sake. It is absolutely necessary for your peace of mind.—Alec. The TBar replied immediately: Shall stop yie case at once.—Niki. This drew from tho. Tsarina the following':— v Thank you so much for your, noble order of yesterday.—Alec. The Empress's grief at the murder of Rasputin is reflected in a number of telegrams, as, for instance, in these three messages to the Tsar: December 26.—1 am worried by the awful rumors. No details. Remember what • 1 wrote to'you.—Alec. December 30, 4.37 p.m.—Can you send Voyeipoff to me at once? I want his help and advice. We still hope for the best. Dmitry and Felix are implicated.—Alec. (The Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovitch and Prince Felix Yusupoff, Count SouniarokoffElston, were the two members of the Court who " executed " Rasputin.) December 30, 10.2+ p.m.—Nothing dis-

covered yet. Felix stopped on the way to Crimea. How I wish that you were here. —Alec. In her anxiety the Tsarina telegraphed an appeal to another " saint"— To Father Makarhis, Verkhotursky Monastery, "Perm. —Great misfortune. Something happened to Father (Rasputin). Pray for him. —Alexandra. Here are two further telegrams to the Tsar: December 31, 3 p.m. —Order Maksimovitch arrest Dmitry in yeur name. Dmitry wanted to see me to-day. I refused. The body has not been sent yet.—Alec. January 1, 1 p.m.—Thanks for your wire. Body found in "the river. Another series of telegrams deal' with the gathering revolutionary stcfrni : March 10, 9.50 p.m.—Bad news. Disorders all over the city. Let Fredericks announce us all ill to ston rumors. —Alec. March 11, 6.48 p.m.—Matters growing worse. (The rest is in private code.) March 12, 11.12 a.m.—Yesterday's riots shocking. Many troops have gone over. Things are woi-se than ever. March 12, 1.35 p.m. —Strikes are spreading. Troops joining the strikers. Some concessions are unavoidable. It was too late then. The revolution had succeeded, and the Tsar's abdication had become a certainty.