THE EX-CZAR’S MISFORTUNES.

Taihape Daily Times, 6 December 1917, Page 5

THE EX-CZAR’S MISFORTUNES.

HIS LIFE IN EXILE. A few days ago a cable message was received stating that the ex-Czar had escaped from Siberia, and was now in Japanj This has not yet been confirmed The following particulars of Nicholas’s life after leaving Petrograd will show that misfortune still continues to dog him. Ever'since the Czar abdicated from the throne of All the Eussias he has encountered a series of minor misfortunes. No matter what he does or where he ■wants to go, some misadventure always arises. The most recent was a hitch in the arrangements at Tobolsk which compelled the royal family to remain in a river steamer for five days Other incidents of his exile are: July 30: Pell off bicycle and broke his , leg. Aug. 2: Romanoffs disenfranchised. Aug. 15: Czar compelled to pay income tax. , ' Aug. 17: Rushed off to Siberia at 6 a.m. to avoid royalist plots. Aug. 19: A Royal train collides with goods train at Stalia. The ex-imperial Family, while awaiting the completion of the arrangements for their installation in the Governor’s palace, remained for five days on board the steamer which conveyed them from the railway terminus to Tobolsk.

For five days the steamer remained at anchor in mid-stream, only approaching the shore to enable the exCzar and his family to walk along the river bank. These walks always took place at a distance of some miles from the town. The ex-Czarina rarely left the vessel, and both she and the ex-Czarevitch suffered much.

On the morning of August 26 the ex-Impcrial Family were transferred to the Governor’s Palace. The ex Czar went on foot with his son and daughters, while the Czarina followed in a carriage. At midday on the sS'me day the prior of the Church of the ‘Annunciation came and blessed the new residence of the ex'-Tmperial Family.

The latter occupy the first floor of the Governor's palace, consisting of If rooms, One is reserved for the exCzar, one for his son, one for the exCzarina, two for her daughters. One serves as a dining-room, another as a icception-room while the remaining rooms are utilised by the members of the suite and domestic servants. The building is entirely surrounded by a fence which screens it from the view of the neighbouring dwelling-houses. The daily life of the royal family is the same as it was at Tsarskoe Solo. At ten o ’clock breakfast is served, at one o’clock lunch, and at six o’clock dinner. Only the ex Czar and Czarina are under the rigour of detention. Their children are under the care of the ex-Czarina, who is responsible for the religious instruction.