FATE OF THE ROMANOFFS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15301, 24 August 1920, Page 3

FATE OF THE ROMANOFFS.

(Elec. Tel. Copyright- United Press Assn.J (Received August 24, 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, August 21. The Times correspondent discussing the circumstances preceding tbe abdication of the Czar, traces the chain of .German influence behind Rasputin, whose propaganda and vulgar charlatanism developed a hateful legend, poisoning the minds of the people, disastrously linking the reputation of the Royalties therewith. The hideous slaughter of women and children before the Winter Palace on Bloody Sunday strengthened popular hostility, though the real contrivers of the crime were a revolutionary committee aiming to promote hatred of the Czar. Kerensky afterwards admitted the Czar's hands were clean. The correspondent states that there is no truth m the popular belief that Rasputin held the Empress's mind m political thraldom. Her alleged proGermanism was ludicrous. She really hated and detested Germany, and referred to the Kaiser as that "low comedian." She, however, under-rated the dangers of association with Rasputin. The correspondent adds that the Czar might once have saved the monarchy, by disassociating himself from his wife's lead, but found this impossible, and ! always yielded to the real autocrat of all the Russians. j The correspondent records an attempt to smuggle the Czar through a long stretch of hostile country from Tobolsk to' Moscow, where Mirback with tne assistance of the Ludendroff party had designs for the lestoration of the monarchy. -The Czar interpreted this move as an attempt to secure his signature to the Brest Litovsk treaty and declared he would sooner cut off his hand than sign. The Empress was aj»o furiously angry and paced her prison like a caged tigress. She insisted on accompanying the Czar, though Her health .was breaking down. The journey towards Moscow was made at top speed, m the hope of 'evading obstruction, out the alert,; Vengeful Ural Soviets intercepted . them, and secured their reimprisonment m Ekaterinburg. The ainhflppy Romanoffs were now relying only oii the sustaining powers of deep family affection, piety and patience. They _ became the victims of prolonged cruelties and indignities, suspassing the worst experiences at Tobolsk. Ipatiev's prisonhouse, surrounded by machineguns, and enclosed m a wooden screen reaching to the roof top, almost shutting out the light, was filled 'with bruatl, drunkeji guards. There was no privacy, and, no consideration of decency or modesty was permitted. Everything was done to hurt and shock the doomed prisoners,, who were also semi-starved. The leering gaolers dogged their slightest movement: The patience ana humility of tlie Royalties gradually shamed and quieted their tormentors. Open disaffection among the Rod guards followed, but it was ebon detected, resulting m start dismissals and reinforcement, ''with the old horrors, until death ended their miseries. — Times.