TSAR’S MILLIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 1 October 1929, Page 11

TSAR’S MILLIONS

33 HEIRS AND TCHAIKOVSKY. New York, August 1. A legal fight for the Romanoff millions —if they are ever found is impending between 33 recognised heirs of the late Tsar and Madame Tchaikovsky, who claims to be the Grand Duchess Anastasia, the Tsar’s daughter and- sole lieircss* The exact size of the estate is undetermined. The only tangible asset so far positively known is the Russian Embassy building in Washington, which is valued at £20,000. In addition the Guaranty Trust Co. of New York is said to have acknowledged an account of 1,000,000 in the name of the Tsar, and other banks aro believed to hold various small sums. The hope of a vast fortune of £20,000,000 or £30,000,000 awaiting the Romanoff heirs, however, is based upon a story that the American Ambassador to Russia in 1916 reported that he had been unofficially advised that the Tsar invested £20,000,000 before the war in American railway stpeks. . In order to bring to light all sums held here in the Tsar’s name, Mr Dudley Kohler, as public administrator and counsel for the 33 members of the Romanoff family, has published a notice, in the American Law Journal, demanding a statement and account of the assets from “all persons, corporations and banks.”’' It is believed that Madame Tchaikovsky intends soon to start a legal action before the New York Supreme Court to establish herselt as the Tsar’s sole heiress. Prince Serge Georgievich Romanovsky, a cousin of the Tsar, has already applied for letters of administration of the Tsar’s estate, and Mr. Kohler, who represents him, said he was prepared to take any steps necessary to protect the interests of the recognised heirs in any Romanoff funds that might be found here. Madame Tchaikovsky no longer resides with Mrs. William Leeds, formerly Princess Xenia of Russia, whose protege she has been since her arrival in America, but the reports of a disagreement -are denied.