Czarina's Sewing Circle

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7843, 21 May 1904, Page 3

Czarina's Sewing Circle

Aristocratic Drones Not Wanted.

ST. PETERSBURG, March 10 Ever since the outbreak of the war the liveliest activity has prevailed at the Winter Palace, tho Czar's vast residence, which is so usually calm and silent. There,.twice a day Councils of War are held under the presidency of the Czar, who often personally suggests impbrtant measures, and has submittedl to him the whole of the despatches arriving from the Far East, some of which are delivered to the General Staff first and not directly to his Majesty.

These meetings generally take place in a room facing the Neva, the tables being covered with detailed maps from headquarters and plan's of fortifications, while in the spacious halls facing the square • two thousand ladies daily assemble between one and' six o'clock in the afternoon to sew linen for.the Russian troops.

Those., ladies, who belong to the highest'society, occupy four immense halls, in which the work of cutting, joining and sewing is actively pursued.

The Czarina herself, attended by dames of the Court and other ladies of her acquaintance, works in a smaller room, which she. leaves from time to time in order tp address a few kindly words to those in the' halls: Many ladies who attended merely out of curiosity, and lenew nothing of sewing, have been given to understand that the Czarina thanked them for their goodwill, but would dispense with their future attendance, as she could only employ industrious workers. No person entering the Windsor Palace from the Neva side by the Hermitage door . and passing the Czar's private theatre can fail to be filled with amazement at the enormous provision /of waym furs, clothing, boots, and linen stored there. The glitter of richly-laced uniforms and the smiles of fair women formerly met with have 'given place to the vast storehouse of the Czarina, who appears resolved to mitigatc_ to the best of her ability the terrible miseries of war. While the Czar is busy with his military councillors, tho "Czarina works with her ladies, the labours of peace and war proceeding side by side.