THE EX-TSAR'S WIFE.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 February 1918, Page 7

THE EX-TSAR'S WIFE.

WRECKER OF THE RUSSIAN MONARCHY. . A DEVOTEE OF THE OCCULT. "The responsibility for the wreck of the Russian monarchy lies entirely with the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, the most fatal of all the consorts of Russian sovereigns." Thiiß writes "The Author of Russian Court Memoirs" in his latest work, "The Fall of the Romanoffs," published recently by Herbert Jenkins, Limited, St. James', London, a work that contains an amazing record of provocative Royal intrigue and disloyalty against. Russia, abounding in astounding incidents told in a very interesting way. '"When the dying Tsar, Alexander 111., wished to see bis son and heir affianced, mitters were hurried," writes the author, "and the choice fell upon Princess Aliy of Hesse. The Princess felt some misgivings as to her su ..liility for the part, allotted to her, but unfortunately she did not listen to the inner voice that whispered that she was unfit to fc Empress of Russia. . . . The wedding was hurried on. The bridal pair received an enthusiastic welcome from the crowds of people assembled in the street. Everything seemed promising, but the Tsar Nicholas was an unlucky monarch, and the most calamitous day of his experience was his marriage day, . . . Humor soon began to spread that the young Empress repelled everyone hy the stony haughtiness of her bearing during the receptions she was 'bound to attend. Her friends suggested her extreme shyness as an extnuating circumstance; but the nation truly construed her manner as tlie arrogance of a German Princess, who looked down upon Russia through Teuton eyes, and scorned its people. . .

It soon became noised abroad that the relations between the. Emperor's mother and the young Empress had become strained. It also soon became common knowledge that the young Empress was Ivery difficult to get on with; her temper was harsh and violent, and she treated I her immediate entourage with such disidain that it became difficult to get any young lady to accept the hitherto coveted position of lady-in-waiting. On one occasion, when a private concert was being held m the. palace, the Marshal of the Imperial Court reminded Her Majesty that it had always 'been the custom on such festive evenings to invite the ladies-in-waiting to be present. ''Quite unnecessary,'' was the ungracious answer, •'they can open their doors and listen to the music from their rooms." Being a great stickler for etiquette, the Empress insisted on the old-fashioned rigid customs of the German Court being adapted to the Imperial household, and the innovations caused much displeasure, talthfulness, however, was one of the chief characteristics'of the ex-Emperor Nicholas 11. Loving the Empress, he trusted her blindly, and having a high opinion of her superior judgment, lie gradually became entirely subject to her influence. it anything, he was rather in awe, not so much oi her as of the hysterical fits she developed. These attacks were formidable weapons in her Majesty's hands, and she used them unscrupulously to lorce her will. The general opinion in ivustern countries that Nicholas II is not ii clever uia'u is a mistaken one. His greatest detect was a want of will power and sell-reliance. His first opinion was always correct, and his iirst decision always right. If he had acted more independently and spontaneously all would aave been well, but the Express intericred in everytuiug. Her opinion rarely coincided Willi the Enipero»'s opinions Her influence grew until it became unlimited. . . The birth of four successive daughters wa3 a desperate disappointment to the Empress, and her excitement on each occasion was Buch as to cause serious anxiety, and those about her feared to let her know the disappointing sex of- the new-born infant. The intense desire to giv« birth to a sou became the soveieign's fixed idea, and she resortd to all kinds of expedients—prayers, vows, pilgrimages, sortilegy, and hypnotism, etc. Spiritualism strangely attracted Nicholas, his Consort, and spiritualistic sittings were continually arranged either in Tsarskoe Selo, or in the Old Palace of the Grand Duke Nicholas. The best mediums were commanded. The spirit of Alexander 111. was invoked, and his son found great satisfaction in consulting him on i-tatc matters. Every imposing reform was submitted for approval to the spirit of the departed monarch. The burning question of the. next heir to the throne was naturally a topic upon which the spiritual oracle was consulted. A renowned French hypnotist was sent for, and during a sceance, when the Empress was under his hypnotic influence, lif> insinuated to her to conceive an infant of the male sex. After a very short while the Empress felt herself to be enciente—an announcement that caused jubilation to, reign at Court. The usual.proceeding of consulting a specialist wa.3 on this occasion omitted by the advice of the hypnotist, who disliked medical interference with his "influence." The heir was expected in June, 1902. Everything was in readiness, and her Majesty waited patiently, but there was only disappointment. At last the Emperor was obliged to call in a specialist, who pronounced the Empress to be suffering from an illusion! The hypnotist was *ent back to France in disgrace, where lie died shortly after his return- The case was given a Latin appellation, scientifically explained, and the incident considered closed. But no pen could describe the Empress' poignant pain. "About 1905-Ofi Her Majesty began to tnke a vivid interest in church matters and clerical affairs, and she showed market predilection for pilgrims and monks. Rasputin, the 'evil one,' came (o Petrograd in IMB, and ever thereafter became the Court's evil spirit, who steadily led the Empress, and,, through her, the Emperor, to their downfall. Hi« advent in Petrograd was accompanied bv his prophecy that a male heiV would be born to the throne within! tw»lve months. As fortune would have it ha was right. Her Majesty, when she heard the story of the prophecy ( a f. ter the birth of the heir) got bold of the fixed idea that Rasputin's life was mixed lip with that of the Tsnrevitch. Desnite the irrefutable' reports of his criminnlitv. licentiousness, and drunkenness, Her Majesty implieitlv believed in the monk's saintliness, and her faith in the nower of his prnyver was boundless. Prom the moment of his introduction to the Imperial Court the utterly unnrini envied monk produced a wonderful im■rfsfinn on the. Empress, and he became '-'•<■'• tool in the "irvls of those ■ ' : -hed to gain their own ends, and 'desired to obtain a hoV over the Minis-

ters and ex-Ministers,, seekers of office and favors of all were Rasputin's clients. Several time's the Tsar was persuaded to send Rasputin away, and on each occasion something happened to the Tsarcvitch. it has sines been proved that .Rasputin was hand in glove with an Oriental quack doctor of renown, who treated his patients with infusions of herbs from Tibet- - The Tsar himself became subject to fits of depression. Rasputin's recalls from exile brought health immediately and mysteriously to the Imperial household. So Rasputin remained on, securing more power and more influence, until the Government of Russia came to be directed by the monk. Russia seethed with discontent and suspicion. The Imperial household became estranged from its best friends, as well as from the nation." During the first days of the war with Germany, Nicholas 11. could have again attached to himself the love and respect of the nation. The day of the publication of his war manifesto was the most triumphant of. Ms reign. In the moment of national danger all parties joined. But a few days sufficed to sow distrust, and to 'bring homo to all the conviction that all was not well with Russia. Strange reports were circulated about the Empress Alexandra and some of the Grand Duchesses, who were German Princesses by birth. It transpired that Her Majesty was not enthusiastic about the war. the following anecdote,, widely spread >at the time, is illustrative of this general impression:—'l really don't know," said the little Tsarevitch to a friend, "on whose side I am to be. When the Russians are beaten papa looks glum, and when the Germanß are beaten, mamma cries.!"

Rasputin was absent from Petrograd when Germany declared war on Russia, but lus return was not long delayed, and war- accompanied by his open declaration tba'-. a. prolonged war would 'be Russia'?, undoing. He even told the Empress that her son's safety depended on its being speedily concluded. Prominent Russians said openly that Rasputin was a German agent. •■ About this time General Joffre pent a -telegram to the Russian War Minister enquiring into the state oi the country's artillery supplies. General Soukboralinoff's reply assured the French general that all necessary steps had beep taken. It was false. With terrible losses the Imperial Guards and Siberian regiments drove the enemy away from Warsaw, and proceeded over the Carpathians to Galicia, only to suddenly discover that the army was destitute" of arms, of the means with which to wage war. Four cartridges per gun only could be allowed daily, and unarmed soldiers had to proceed to the attack. And 80 the army, betrayed, stabbed in the back, began its great retreat. The soldiers remembered this, when, in the last days of February, 1917, they were ordered to shoot their disarmed fellow citizens in the streets of Petrograd, and, instead, turned their rifles against the rotten system of the old regime. A warrant was issued to search General Soukhomlinoir's abode the search furnishing such criminating evidence against the War Minister as to result in his immediate arrest and incarceration in th« fortress of St Peter. Madame Soukhomlinoff thereupon threw herself upon the power of Rasputin, who interviewed the Empress. The tri&T of the War Minister was suspended! There appeared a short notice about the former War Minister's mental illness, and everyone knew that he was released All Russia was appalled, depressed. A wave of bitter indignation swept the country, and the Empress was openly accused of conniving with a gang of German agents. Attention was drawn to the name of officers in. prominent military positions. The chief ; of the military circuit of Minsk was General Baron Raush von Traube«. berg; hi 3 assistant General Muller; tlie commandant, Count Dunten (whose brother had gone over to the Germans); Engineer-General von Cube; chief of the garrison, General Baron von Trdlingshausen; and scores of similar names of persons figured, concerning whose good intentions and. motives the nation could not but be suspicious- But a spell seemed to be cast over the faculties of the Tsar. He was being led blindfolded to the abyss Tsardom was crumbling slowly but surely. The Empress' influence and actions were sapping the monarchy. A strange juggling of Ministers went, on. discrediting the Cabinet and giving the country a feeling of dreadful insecurity. The discharge of M Sazonoff (the trusted Minister of Foreign Affairs) whilst he was enjoying a short rest cure in Finland astonished the Minister himself, and fell like a blow on the country. The diplomatic representatives of the Allies were thunderstruck. Wonder changed to dismay when it became known that M. Sturmer was to fill the breach. M. Stiirmer's reputation wa« definitely established, and he inspired confidence in no one. Only the Empress and her satellites rejoiced. 0.0. December 17 isiv -words only appeared.in tb# evening issue of the Exchange newspaper—"Gregory Rasputin has ceased to ■exist!'" • The censorship would-permit, no more, to be published. The details that led up to the tragic occurrence are well known. Repeated attempts had been made to open the Trot's eye? 1.0 the, true state of things, but I'.vvy effort was shattered against the Empress's' power and fcer faith in the Court's evil genius. So Rasputin bad to die. When the Empress was told oi the tragedy, she wa' speechless with dismay., Rev first words proved prophetic. "Wo are done for," she cried; "now wc shall also perish l '' Her Majesty gav> imperative, order? that Rasputin's body was to be fnund; and it was found, embalmed, and buried in the park of Tsa.rkoe Selo, whence it was dug up in the early days of the revolution, taken to Petrograd, and burnt.

To the lasi almost the Empress's Teuton arrogance neve.v 'eft her. Yisitiny a hospital on one occasion, she created a' painful scene. She nsked » soldier where he was wounded, and the soldier entered into details of how they put the enemy regiment to flight, "What regiment was it?' queried the Empress. "The Hessians, your Majesty," replied the soldier. "The Hessians never flee before the enemy!" remarked the Empress haughtily, and, pale with wrath, her lips compressed, she walked out of the wa*d, leaving everyone in consternation. Shortly after this incident Her Majesty ceased visiting the soldiers' hospitals.

"The revolution came suddenly, and spread swiftly. When the Grand Duke came to tell the Empress of the T-'tu's abdication, and showed her the printed manifesto, she exclaimed, 'I don't believe it; it is all lies; newspaper inventions! I believe in God and the Army!' ''.But alas," as says the author of the interesting book from which we have quoted, "Alexandra Feodorovna was mistaken i"- I |CT faith, for God had turned away from them, and the Army had turned upon them.f [lt was reported recently that the Tsarina bad become hopelessly insane and confined in a sanatorium in ToIbolak.]