CZAR UNDER FIRE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 8, 11 January 1916, Page 8

CZAR UNDER FIRE.

VISITS TO THE TRENCHES

TALKS WITH SOLDIERS

The following article has been received from the Exchange Telegraph Company's special correspondent at Minsk: —■

"During a visit to this town, which is extremely calm, and convinced that it, will not be taken, I was given information about the Czar's expedience under fire during three recent visits to the front." On two occasions the Czar visited divisional headquarters which were within the range of the enemy's big guns. On one occasion the] Czar lunched with & divisional staff one of whose officers had been killed two days before, Outside the house where the lunch took place. On a third occasion the Czar . went into the advanced" trenches at a time when a considerable musketry fire was going on. The only precautions taken were those usually adopted by a staff or inspectionpfficer when his work takes him to the trenches. The Czar refused to have with any member of his staff, 'and was accompanied by a divisional staff captain only. The Czar stayed a quarter cf an hour, partly in an uncovered trench 'and partly in a dug-out, over which numerous shells exploded. "The Sovereign's appearance in the trenches caused surprise and incredulity. The soldiers refused to believe that the visitor was the Czar, 'and commented on the fact that he wore a private soldier's overcoat, without decorations of any sort.

"THE SEVEN-HEADED SOLDIER." "The Czar spoke to a veter'an from Orel Province, and asked how many fights he had seen. "Seven," was the answer. The- soldier had fought at Port Arthur and in the present war tcck part in the battles of Lodz and Gcrlitz-Tarnof. "How many children have you?" asked the Czar. 'Seven, captain,' said the soldier, still refusing to believe that it was the Czar. 'And how many wounds?' 'Seven,' was the reply. 'Then you must have seven heads,' said the Czar. A Russian rrny pre verb says that a sergeant has seven heads. The Vzar promoted 're retercn tc rank. "Officers who witnessed one of the "Ir.i.ts assured mc that the appear-

ance cf the Imperial Commander-in-Chief on the scene cf actual fighting has au inspiring effect, and that it is cue explanation cf the toughness and success with which Russia has been fighting during the past few weeks."