“I HAVE BEEN BETRAYED”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9613, 20 March 1917, Page 5

“I HAVE BEEN BETRAYED”

CZAR’S LAST WORDS AS AUTOCRAT SPREAD OF REPUBLICAN SPIRIT IN RUSSIA NEW GOVERNMENTS FIRST DUTY: TO REPAIR ERRORS OF THE PAST.

liy Telegraph—Press Association —Conrslffb* Australian and N.2. Cable Association. PETROGRAD, March 18. Many rumours regarding tho story of the Czar’s abdication aro afloat. Only one thing is certain; that he did not abdicate absolutely voluntarily in order to spare tlio country further trouble. Even the telegrams irom Grand Duke Nicholas and General Alexieff did not produce any oficct. Tho Czar consented'to negotiate with tho Provisional Government only when journeying to Potrograd, where he realised that, while allowed to move in seeming freedom, ho was really under guard, and unablo to communicate with anybody except tho closest of his entourage. Ho was chiefly anxious that "sufficient guarantees should be ,riven that his life aud the lives of his family should be spared. General Rusoky, on behalf of the army under his command, reassured him that no harm would befall any member of his famiIv.

POLITICAL PRISONERS RELEASED EXHORTATION TO TROOPS 11V NICHOLAS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright floater's Tnlefftamis PETROGRAD, March 18. Grand Duke Nicholas hag ordered the release of the political prisoners. He exhorted the officers to impress the soldiers and sailors. to Quietly await the expressed will of the people, obey their lawful chiefs, defend the country, and support tho Allies. „ ~ = ,; SEPARATE PEACENEDQTIATIONS INTRIGUE CARRIED ON AT STOCKHOLM. SINISTER AGREEMENT BETWEEN RUSSIA AND GERMANY. Ily Telegraph—Press Association— Oopyrleh* Australian aiid -N.Z. Cable Association. COPENHAGEN, March 17. The “Aftonpost” says the Russian rev volution came in the nick of . time. Negotiations had been parried on at Stockholm for some time, for a separata peace between Russia < and Germany, The recent inactivity on the Russian front waa due to an agreement with Germany; ' Published In “Th» Times,’’ PETROGRAD. March 18. ; The revolution came. in the niok of time, as Protopopoff was already negotiating peace jtjrr<jugh Stockholm.

It is reported that the Czar, when not allowed to communicate with Ilia wife, contemplated suicide. Eventually no was induced to take things calmly, and submit to tho inevitable. His last words as Czar woro; “I have been betrayed by those I trusted most.” Immediately the abdication was known, the people took ladders to the Imperial Public Library, the Winter Palace, and other buildings,'‘and removed the Imperial Arms. The Republican spirit is rapidly spreading, and it is believed that.if tho National Assembly chooses Grand Duke Michael ns head of tho State, it will bo as President of a Republic after ho renounces his grand ducal rights.

IN THE NIGHT DEPUTATION URGES CZAR TO ABDICATE, by Telegraph—Frets Association—CopyrlsUi Beater's Telegram** PETROGRAD, March 18. Details of tho abdication show that a deputation, including General Russify , waited on tho Czar at Pskoff at midnight, and described the latest events, and advised tho Czar not to send troops to Petrograd from the front, because every soldier became revolutionary'whoa he approached the capital. The Czar asked: “What do you Wans mo to do?” “Abdicate 1” was the reply. The Czar-was silent tor a moment, and then remarked ; “It would pain mo to be separated from my son, therefore I. abdicate in favour of my brother.” The Czar then signed the decree ,<>f abdication, which had already been drafted. 1 • • ADHESION OF BLACK SEA FLEET MOST OF FINNISH TROOPS ALSO JOIN/REVOLUTION. By T«lcfcPapb—Prfc«i AMOcjatlon—Copy Australian and N.Z. Gable Association. PETROGRAD, March 1/. The Black Sea Fleet adheres to tho new Government. The Kremlin and arsenal at, Moscow are in tho possession of tho revolutionary troops. Tho officers’ corps, in, response to tho now Government's instructions, also joined the movement. " ■i'U COPENHAGEN, March 17. General Ignatieff, in p, proclamation, requested tho Finnish troops to join the revolution. All the garrisons complied with the-,exception of that at Svoaborg, which became mutinous, and is now in a state of siege. PRINCE JALITZIN REPORTED TO HAVE COMMITTED SUICIDE.' Ur Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright COPENHAGEN, March 17. Th.e “Social Democraten” states’that Prince Galitsin’ ttho cx-Premier) committed suicide yesterday. CZHBINA'SjNFIUENGE STEPS TO COU-Vi'ER-ACT IT. Uy TeloKtaph—Prc«B Ai«oclAtlon---Coprt , lt:bi Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. COPENHAGEN, March 17. The Swedish newspapers state that the Czar and Czarina arc not allowed to hold communication, as the Revolutionary Committee Consider the Czur-. ina’b influence dangerous to its cause. WHERE ISTHE_CZAR LOCATED ? CONFLICTING REPORTS PUB- . LISHBD.

By Telegraph—Prens Association—Copyrlefc* Australian and N.Z. Cable Association , COPENHAGEN. March 17. The .“National: Tidendo” states, that the Czar and certain intimate members of las family were escorted to the Crimea by a military guard. Published in "The Times." COPENHAGEN, March 18. The “Dagens Nyhecler” states that the Gear is being taken to the Crimea in order to recuperate. The “Nyadagligt” saya the Czar is imprisoned in Taurine Palae, and the Empress has been sent to Kieff. The Dowager. Empress has declared her sympathy with the Devolution macs. NEW COMMANDERS PETROGRAD By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Aa»oc!atlon. PETROGRAD, March 18. General Koenilov has been appointed Commander of Petrograd. He is the troops’ most popular hero of the war. ILLNESS fIfJZaREVITOH By Telegraph—Press Asaociattoc—Copyright Published in *‘Tbc Time*.”. . LOHDON. March 18,. The Czarevitch is severely ill with measles.

REPAIRING ERRORS OF PAST NEW GOVERNMENT’S FIRST DUTY. SOVEREIGN WILL OF NATION MUST BE RECOGNISED. Uy Telegraph—Pros. Association—Copyrlgli* Keutcr’s Telegram#,. PETROGRAD. March 18. The Government has telegraphed to , its representatives abroad, stilting that the Government, which assumes: power at the moment of the gravest crisis in Russian history, is fully conscious of R# immense responsibility, , and Will apply itself, first to repairing the’overwhelming errors of the pasto secondly, to ensuring order and tranquillity; and, finally, to preparing the conditions necessary in order that the sovereign will of, the nation may freely be pronounced on its future lot. In regard to the foreign policy, tbn Cabinet remains mindful of the inter, national engagements entered into by tho fallen regime, and will honour / Russia’s word, and carefully cultivate , the relations uniting Russia with tho . other friendly and Allied nations. The Government is, confident these relations will become more intimate and solid under tho now regime," which is resolved to be guided by democratic principles, and tho ! respect due to - small and great nations, to tho liberty ■ ■ of their development, and good understanding between nations. The Government again emphasises that Russia did not will the war, but. is the victim of. .premeditated aggression. She will continue to struggle against the spirit bf conquest of apredatory race, which aims at the subjection of Europe to tho intolerable shame of domination by Prussian militarism. Faithful to tho pact which- : unites her to her glorious Allies, Russia is resolved, like them, to assure to the world at all costs an era of peace on the basis of stable national organisation, which will guarantee respect for right and justice. She will fight -on their side against the common enemy until tho end. The Government will devote all its energies to preparation for victory.

CHIEF fISSEJJN THE WAR THE REVOLtmoN IN RUSSIA. “BUREAUCRACY'S RASCALITY AND GREED.” By TeloEraph—Press Association—Copyricb* Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, March 18. Mr George Barnes (Minister for Pensions) in a speech at Bast Ham, said lie believed that the revolution in Russia would prove the chief event on the asset side of the war. The Russian people had made, a long stride towards freedom. More strength to the Duma; may it gather up all the best in Russian life. For months Russia had been torn asunder by internal strife. Thousands of her soldiers had been sacrificed by the bureaucracy’s rascality and greed, which . was as corrupt as that which existed in any : part of the world. He believed the revolution was a reflex of the influenec of the German Bureaucracy, and would re-echo throughout the, .world. AMPLE SUPPLIES OF GRAIN BREAD SELLING AT PRE-AVAR PRICKSBy TeleErapli—-Press Assooiation—CopyrleliO Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. STOCKHOLM, March 18. “Hagens Nyboter” states that Pctroarad has now sufficient .grain to last for several weeks. Thousands of tons have boon found which speculators withheld. It is believed that the old Government organised the shortage of. broad, which is now selling at the pre-war price. EXPLOSION NEAR COLOGNE hundreds of WORKMEN ' KILLED. By Teleffrapb—Press Association— Copy rizht Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. COPENHAGEN’, March IS. Advices have been received, stating that a'frontier munition factory near Cologne blew, up on Thursday. it it reported that hundreds of workmen were killed.

HINDE.iBURG MEMORANDUM SUPERIORITY OF MASSED ATTACK. sl/ Telegraph—Press Association— Cooyfls'” Australian and N.Z, Cable Association LONDON. -March 18. The “Daily C’hro/iiclcV’ correspondent on the French front quotes a memorandum of von Hindenhurg’s to fljoinmanding officers, in 'Which he refers to the lessons to lie learnt from •the Verdun failures. He sajrs that extraordinary number of German prisoners who gave op without seriDUs resistance showed that the morale iff certain troops was had. Reasons Should be sought and the old spirit ifef the German infantry must be revived. Fortified zones must be constructed, enabling the positions to bo Judd. Deep underground shelters and .advanced trenches must bo forbidden, .Us they were mantraps. Von Hindt nburg emphasised the, imflportance; of -an artillery climax immediately prior to an infantry attack. Considerations - of the economy of raumAions must then bo ignored. This memorandum Vonciude.s by in"|tfstitlg that the war hits,,continued the juipenority of massed formations ot ■(attack over all other forms of attack. f THE GRAND DUKE MICHAEL A CHARACTER BK FTOH. : ! , Thu Grand Duke. Michael Aloxuudroflriccn, brother of the Czar, who has Iteen appointed Regent, ' was born on November JfiJnd.''lß7B,' arid is tboreforo j3B years of age. lie was banished from jUm R ussian Court by "the. Czar, and his tales sequestrated in consequence of si; marriage of which his brother strongly disapproved, although it was currently asserted, that- the liberal opinions of Michael. Alexandrovitch had Snore to do with the extreme and unconstitutional notion of Iris brother 4'han simple displeasure regarding the taarriage. The l Grand Duke Michael JAJoxandrovitch-prior to his marriage, had filled various commands in the (Russian Army, anti had the reputation tf being a capable officer. On the outroak. of the .present w;u ,ho was appointed- to the command of the Canfcnsinn Native Division, which was originally formed during the Japanese YVnr. Tins force is recruited from the Wild mountain tribes of the Caucasus, land has become famous under the title ■of “La Division Bauvage.’’ it rendered 'good service during the first successful fcainpaigu in Galicia, especially in the ibporations in' the neighbourhood of J’rzemysl. Captain Adrian Simpson, lActing A.D.C. to the Grand Duke, ■Writing with reference to those services, mys: - w -"Magnificonihoraemep -and horn fighters, they form an ideal force of irregular cavalry. Not once, hut many times, these regiments have performed deeds of the greatest valour, and when the history of the war is written the •ilftmo of the ‘Division Sauvage/ will play no small part in the glorious anials of the Russian Army.’’ THE GRAND DUKE’S MARRIAGE. Count Paul Vassili, who held an important post at the Russian Court, and Who died in 1913, left a diary which dealt in a rather scathing manner with members of the Russian Royal Family, but especially with the Czar Nicholas 11. This work has been published undor the title “Behind : the Veil at the Russian Court’’ (Cilsscll), and it contains tho following references to the Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovitch, the newly-appointed Regent:— ‘At present, failing the’ little Czarevitch, the brother of the Emperor, the Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovitch would ho the legitimate heir to the Crown. When tho’boy was born a Special manifesto was issued by the .Emperor appointing his brother Regent 'in the case of a minority. Until then he had occupied the position of Hem .Apparent, though he had not been grunto dthe title of Czarevitch which His brother George had homo until his death, perhaps because tho Empress /objected to it, having hopes some day •pf bearing a son of her own. “The Grand Duke was a meek young man, whose education had been very ■Jnmcli IU-'glectedj who had neither the .Wish to lend himself to any intrigue, Jior oven the desire to do so. Ho was tone ot those indifferent beings who are rather sorry than otherwise to bo put Into responsible positions, and who, beyond all tilings, would like to be able to lead the quiet life of a very rich private person. When quite young he liqd fallen violently in love with MaIflemoisello Kossikovsky, tho lady-in-tvaiting of his sister the Grand Dnchfcss Olga Aloxandrovna, who married Prince Peter of Oldenburg. .Mademoiselle Kossikovsky was not pretty, but clever and pleasant, and she gave him,. Jill her heart. The romance lasted for some time, and the possibility of a Inarriago between the two came to be seriously discussed in society. But tho Empress Marie, who would not hear of it, interfered, and a,V Mademoiselle. Kossikovsky did not acquire enough influence over -Michael to induce him to go against his mother’s wishes, or those of tho Emperor, ..the young lady liad to give up her lover and relinquish icr appointment in disgrace. > , “Left to himsolf, and not knowing •to whom ho could confide his woes, tho miserable young man began to frequent the house of one of the officers of the regiment in which he'was serving, the ■Gaslebina Cuirassiers. That officer had a wife, who, though not extraordinarily pretty, was clever, pleasant, very eultiva-ed, and with a past, inasmuch as she had divorced a first husband before marrying her present ono. Tho friendship with Michael Alexandrovitch ripened, and he confided to her all his sorrows, and how badly he considered ho had been treated in the matter of his alfection for Mademoiselle Kossikovsky. Later on - their relations heoiirno still more intimate, for that lady, having secured a second divorce. became tho wife of the Grand ,T)uko. “Tho scandal was immense, especially as tho event occurred just at the time when tho illness of the little Czarevitch seemed again to open tho question of the succession to the Throne. Every moans was tried to bring about a divorce. But Michael Alexandrovitch was tho soul of honour, and declared that nothing would or could make him forsake tho mother of his children. “Then occurred an incident that struck tho whole of Russia with amazement and dismay. Nicholas 11. issued n manifesto to tho nation, in which ho deprived his only brother of the functions of Regent in the event of the future Sovereign being a minor at the timo of his succession. In addition ho sent an ukase to tho Senate by which he made himself guardian of his brother, thus reducing Michael to the condition of a minor, mid taking away from, him the use and administration of his private fortune, which was placed under the administration of the private estates of the Sovereign. “This last measure would not have nrousod criticism in public oipnion, but tho act of degrading the Grand Duke Jq tlw .position of a madman or pf a

baby six years old was very freely commented upon. It was absolutely against the law of the land, which does not admit such an infringement of personal rights, and a reversion to an ora of Russian history which all its rulers in modern times had tried to induce the country to forget. “Save a few flatterers, no ono was heard to applaud this unheard-of decision. “Tho Grand Duke retired with his wife to Cannes, in tho South of France, and settled there as a private gentleman, calling himself M. Brassoy. which is the name of his property in tho Government of Orel. It seems that before the storm broke out he had transferred a largo part of his fortune abroad, so that ho is financially ablo to maintain his old position in society. It is probable that very soon circumstances will induce his brother to change his mind and restore him to his former position, for it is ono of the misfortunes of Nicholas 11. not to persist in any action that he takes, especially in cases where his family is concerned.'l