The Des Moines Register from Des Moines, Iowa • Page 8

r-J- f'" 'T1J "8P1' 'iit- "TTnTTi ii MTWMiiniiii in iiiirmn i iwiii riiinrniimi rmt '1 iiinTiir- roraiii mi in mi ti innnin 11 'i'Sti i Romanoff and Their Sh r. Ml sa 4 USS fit the Former Czar of All tke Russias and His Wife Must Keep ouse on ow Year Instead oi $1,000 'a in HumUe Quarters, Witnout Running Water or Otner Conveniences WLile Tkeir Daugkters tke Misses Th A Jtomanott ixrc religious anniversaries of importance. They attend the urn vrvr'1 public baths once a week. Learning Whenever they go out they are followed by four the guard, and others are within call. The Work an May Ml IMte kit guard consists of 400 soldiers of proved revolu- ympathies.

They watch the dethroned family ght, working in four watches, one hundred men Become ociahsts yA A'' always on duty at a I 'i lT--- -V S'" AH the mail sent out or received by Mr. and Mrs. i i I -A 1 J1' Nicholas Romanoff is carefully read before being deliv ered, not excepting the letters of Nicholas to his mother. I Vr i t'tC The colonel in command of the guard has orders to kill them should any attempt to rescue them be made. 1P ill v.

The Richly Decorated Cathedral of St. Peter and St Paul, in Petrograd, Containing the Tombs of the Romanoff Family. The Privilege of Being Buried Here Is One of the Few Rights Left to Nicholas Romanoff The Former Czarevitch of Russia, Now Plain Little Alexis Romanoff, Happy to Be Allowed to Play About in the Streets of Tobolsk "fellil Th. Orea Winter Pal.c. in Petrograd, One of ff V'W.

I 3' A VW A f' JfefSWl 1 XH Kl Wh0" Two Hundred Feet in Length. A k' 1' i 'J 'til W7 I A tTY' iBV Exchang. for a Flat in S.b.ri. fW 1 i jitH.l A A iWSl 1'- IN I fnO Vf4lj4 The Former 1 'f rr' i 9 UN PER. WOOD N'V.

Peterhof, Near Petrograd, Famed Fairy-Like Gardens and Fountains, (he Twenty Magnificent Palaces Vhich the Romanoffs Have Lost All the food required by the dethroned imperial family is purchased for them by the officers of the guard. The Government has made an allowance of 5,000 rubles a year to buy provisions for the Romanoff household. This sum is equivalent to about $1,000 in American money. At this rate Mr. Romanoff can obtain an ample supply of simple food for his family, provided he avoids all extravagances.

Provisions are still cheap in most Russian provincial towns. The great trouble in the country lies in the lack of transportation facilities. It is on this account there is a shortage of food in Petrograd and a few other cities. According to last reports beef could be had in Tobolsk for six cents a pound. The Romanoff family cannot afford oranges, lemons, pears, peaches, pineapples, bananas and many other delicacies which are quite common in America.

They could not have spirituous drinks if they wanted, them, for the law which Nicholas first promulgated himself is still in force. They can obtain no champagne or other wines to enliven their confinement. Kvass, a popular Russian drink made from malt, can be had in any quantity. It is non-alcoholic. The Romanoffs sometimes regale themselves with this primitive beverage.

Another drink made from cranberries is also obtainable. The ex-Czarina generally assists the cook in the kitchen, as she prefers German dishes, and is therefore obliged to direct their preparation herself. Nicholas and the children all like Russian cooking, and desire only food prepared in that way. Their daily menu usually includes those typical Kussian dishes, a pancake with which caviare is eaten; "borshteh," a thick soup made from beets and other vegetables; '-'kulebiaka," a cake in which several kinds nf fish nro anA rooms, which may sound like a large flat to American ears. Nevertheless, it -is distinctly middle class.

The house is a red brick building, with a sloping green roof. It is not in the aristocratic a of the city, which lies on higher ground on the further side of the River Tobol. The lower floor of the house is occupied by a company of soldiers and Wr-'AisSiKi iWrSITi'1' tnU rftAWiHl'ftm W'OUMi; KOv -Ji itVJJtWjr1 j. Tatiana was missing, and tkui, 1 i 'M i 1 IBixiilrt, 'IrVi where she had gone. There 'JL W' 't ft I 10RlfiV.4VI were rumon, that had iS 'i KLiJU.yon a mit to Irkutsk, Photographed in J- S- A' J' fcilvCftf Grounds i 'V than.

Tobolsk. She had Tsarsko, Selo i 'C wTrLrne6 VVhenThey Were 'A. -V ii than at Tobolsk. She had found the latter place wearisome. f1 fi the Czarina of Russia Wearing a Few Her Gorgeous Soma of Which Sh I.

Reported to Have Sent to Germany Before the Revolution, While Others She Was Forced to Leave Behind In Her Palaces to Be Worn by the Wives of Popular Leaders All the Romanoff girls have plenty of money at present, as they have been their officers, selected rich pie made from potcheese. For drinks they have tea on account of their and kvass. After the PfTT, '4- Revolution Had t'f''' 4 1 47 I Broken Out V'i A1 )V A VM The Romanoffs have a light breakfast at 10 o'clock, luncheon at 1 and dinner at 6. The late hour for break-fast and the early hour for dinner are planned to suit the convenience of the servants. i this causA allowed to retain possession of the cash they had before the also smokes a revolution.

great manyoigai Olga, who is the most earnest member of the family, ettes. I la acting as a volunteer nurse in the local military hos- Perhaps1 fthB pital, where she spends two hours every day. most interesting A popular young socialist oraior from Petrograd is news of the Ro reported to have fallen in love with Olga. They have manoff fadily rrf been seen together several times, and a romance is looked latesto thedaugh- for with keen iuterest. The former Grand Duchess p- Thare art Dears to have become a convert to socialism.

As a first isaj onri uay 1110 name luunoiiiuous TOUUne COminueS, I f-Vfi with its painfully simple meals and its lack of excitement. 1 1 VTTTT'W If There are no social pleasures, no entertainments for Mr. I V'K rf' 1,1 5 1 Nicholas is really reconciled to the republic. More rea loyalty to" the cause of the revolution. Nicholas and the former Czarina are allowed a room each, two rooms are put aside for the four daughters and one for Alexis, the former heir apparent.

There is a dining room, a kitchen, a general living room, and the rest of the flat is given over to the servants; The government allows the Romanoffs four servants a butler and three women. Contrast these quarters with those the Romanoffs formerly enjoyed at Tsarskee Kelo, at Peterhof, at the "Winter Palace in Petrograd, at Livadia, in the Crimea, and the twenty odd principal palaces they possessed. The Peterhof Palace was so large that a person could lose himself in it, and two hundred servants were employed solely to steer guests through it. The Hall of Mirrors In the Winter Palace at Petrograd was 260 feet in length. The principal living room of the Roraanoffa at' present Is four of Ulesa practical step she announces her intention of giving piano girls, all 'pretty lessons free to the children of the comrades of the socialist faith.

and attract! ana Mrs. itomanott. Until recently their lives were filled with-state banquets, great court balls and receptions and pageants of various kinds, not to mention the Rasputin orgies and other diversions equally exciting. Now they cannot even entertain the mayor or school children of the town. Nicholas Romanoff may perhaps derive consolation from one thing.

Tho Government is reported to have decided that he may be buried with his ancestors in the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul. A commission has been preparing a report on the disposition of his property, and it has recommended that at least the right to burial in Olga aged twen Xne spirit or socialism appears to nave taKen noia or ty-two1 fl the former Grand Duchesses, as thejr are frequent aged twentyi idaitors at socialist meetings in Tobolsk. Socialism has Marie aged made many astonishing converts in Russia, and many eighteen and An, members of the highest aristocracy profess to have be- astasia agfi aity come convinced of its value.

Even the former Czar is teen. They wea to 06 considering the advisability of becoming a nearly frightened socialist, with the expectation that it will help him to tha recover his throne. When he explained this idea to his this historic spot should be left him. This cathedral is Iirtcen teet by ten. t'erhaps it adds to Nicholas Roman- off's troubles to learn that his former quarters in the the most richly decorated in the world, and is situated in Winter Palace are occupied by socialist politicians By Ivan Narodny (The Distinguished Russian Author) SELDOM, if ever, in human history has there bfen a more complete chango in human fortunes than that which Nicholas Romanoff has suddenly undergone.

From a household expenditure of $20,000 a year he has now been reduced to about $1,000 a year. From having twenty palaces at his command he has been cut down to a fourteen-room flat. From being Czar aud Autocrat of All the Russias he is now plain Mr. Nicholas Romanoff, Siberian exile. Considerable details have been received by those in touch with Russian affairs concerning the ex-Czar'a manner of life at Tobolsk, in Siberia.

Although he is under strict guard and really a prisoner, there are many avenues through which the details of his domestic arrangements can reach the public. In this very dreary provincial town 45,000 inhabitants ho and his family are naturally the chief objects of interest. His daughters are free to come and go as they please, and from them the townspeople have learned about life in the Romanoff household. The officers guarding him also mingle freely with tho principal townspeople. Tobolsk is credited with having the worst climate in Siberia.

It lies in the midst of an endless swamp, and has been called "the City of the Dead." Nicholas Romanoff arrived at Tobolsk by steamboat. The last stage of his journey consisted of a five-day trip on the River Tobol. When the boat arrived at Tobolsk there was a shortage of vehicles, and tho former Czar was Obliged to make tho trip to his new resideuce on foot, accompanied by his son and three of his daughters. He carried his favorite samovar under one arm. The curious idlers who gathered to see him pass say that he looked very much like many of the exilea they had seen in earlier years.

The former Czarina and her oldest daughter rode in a carriage to their new residence. The residence set apart for the ex-Czar is the second floor of a large but very ordinary house at Tobolsk. It was formerly occupied by a minor official. Houses of this tj'B are roomy, ad the Csar'a ewite contains fourteen the same enclosure as the St. Peter and St.

Paul prison, Where political prisoner's iiave usually been confined, the outbreak courtier and companion in misfortune, Count "'ft revolut now, Derevenko, who has acted as his "nursemaid" since infancy. Jt is interesting to know that little Aliosha appears to be in much better health than when he was heir to the throne, although he still suffers from the stiffness of the right leg which he acquired in a mysterious accident. His color is better than it was, and he appears to have recovered to some extent from the slow poisoning to which the scoundrel Rasputin subjected him as a means of maintaining his influence over the Czar and Czarina. While the younger members of the Romanoff family are reasonably happy, there is no doubt that the former Czar and Czarina are intensely miserable. They are tormented by the loss of all their power and splendor and the great heritage that had been handed down to them from generations of famous ancestors.

While the former Czarina ia filled with rage against those who have brought her to ber present condition, Nicholas shows only melancholy The revolutionary Government permitted two officials to accompany Nicholas into exileCount Fredericks, who was for years Minister of the Court, and General Voyekoff, the former military commander of the palace, who played such a spectacular role in rescuing Rasputin's body from the Neva in order that his master might bury it in a silver coffin at midnight in the palace grounds. To these two men Nicholas confides his sorrows and his reminiscences. The former Czarina has been permitted as a companion the Countess Narishkin. who was long ber lady-in-waiting. It will be recalled that while.

Nicholas was a prisoner at Tsarskoe Selo, immediately after the revolution, be worked very industriously in the garden. Nicholas is reported as having said to' General Voyekoff at Tobolsk. "My life has been mostly that of a prisoner. I don't care for the throne as much as for the chance to live in the Crimea and have flowers about me. I only wish Russia would smash those Germans.

I can live very well under a republic." In spite of this statement, it is very doubtful whether treatmi ericas, tne latter answerea Dianaiy: 44 Clever idea, comrade I The third daughter, Marie, is taking lessons in short, fiand and typewriting, as she intends to write out the memoirs of her father. Then there is the former Heir Apparent; little Alexis, are scene of the greatest tragedies in Russian history. The corrupt Grand Dukes, who had a great share in bringing on the revolution, held many of their drunken debauches in the precincts of this cathedral while the victims of Czardora were dying in prison a few feQt away. The former Czarina likes her roast goose and roast veal cooked in the German style. Tobolsk reports that she is very lively in her conversation and bitter with her tongue.

sonable is the supposition that he expects the Russian people in its many troubles will turn to him and ask him to be their savior. He often seen praying long and earnestly in the cathedral at Tobolsk, and it is believed that his prayers are variations of that which he was actually heard to ntter at Tsarskoe Selo: "Holy Raints, I pray you that the glorions dynasty ot the Romanoffs be soon restored The former Czarina has a more aggressive and restless character than her husband. She busies herself in household work, probably in order to save herself from going-mad over her troubles. She rises at 8 o'clock in the morning, makes a brief "toilette" and puts on a kitchen dress. She has the best bedroom in the flat, by the way.

Then she goes into the kitchen, looks over the provisions and plans the meals for the day. Lately Rhe has been busy making jars of jelly and jam for the Winter. She prides herself on her skill in making all kinds of cakes and pastry. Pathetically she hopes that the fallen Czar will be cheered up by a cake baked by her own Imperial hands, but all her efforts are in vain. The former Czarina is very much annoyed by the small quantity of personal baggage she was allowed to take with her.

The revolutionary Government restricted her to fifteen trunks. This may seem a liberal allowance to some persons, but when it is remembered that there are five women in the family, this is not so certain. It it understood that the Czarina allowed the fallen Czar very little space in the trunks. Among their contents were six dresses for herself and four for each of the daughters. This certainly becomes a meagre allowance when we consider that th "zarina was formerly the most extravagant patron of the great Parisian couturieres in existence, quite surpassing the most luxurious American women in this respect.

Hundreds of the most beautiful into g' costumes, costing from $500 to $2,000, and even more, were ordered by her in Paris, usually to be worn but once. Now Mm. Romanoff is making over her own old dresses in order to make herself attractive to her husband. Clothing is now extremely dear in Russia, hard to obtain at any price, and particularly scarry in Tobolsk. The exiled Czarina is also saddened by the thought that she has lost all the historic crown jewels of Russia.

Many of those which she was forced to leave behind in the palace at Tsarskoe Selo now adorn the wives and sweethearts of leading socialists and advanced politicians. Nevertheless, it is believfd Hint Alexandra sent away a large part of her personal jewels to Darmstadt, Germany, just before the revolution broke out. Tobolsk is a town that should have haunting memories for the fallen Czar. It was formerly one of the otations through which the miserable exiles passed on their tragic journey to Siberia. From his windows be can look out on the sheds in which legion of the best Russians were in turn lodged like animals, while waiting to be forwarded to their living death in the Siberian mines.

Since the Trans-Siberian Railway was built the exiles no longer pass through this place. Some of the exiles, not condemned to the severest form of punishment, were kept at Tobolsk. One of them, a distinguished writer, has recorded that be would rather spend twenty years in any other part of Siberia than ono in Nicholas Romanoff it fs estimated, was responsible during his reign for theexile of not less than 200,000 meu and women to Siberia. He is now able to experience a small measure of the suffering which he, inflicted on bo many other individuals. licans The Romanoff flat in Tobolsk does not contain the comforts to which ordinary Americans are accustomed It has no bathroom, no running water, hot or cold, no Ktcam heat, no gas or electric light.

Luxurious baths were a distinctive feature of the Czar's favorite palaces. The apartment is heated by. Russian tile stoves, and the wood for heating is carried upstairs daily. The climate of Tobolsk is extremely cold during nine months of the year. The water for the household is pumped up from a well and is carried into the house, in buckets.

There is no garden about tho house only a yard, which has been shut off from prying eyes by a high fence. This offers no attraction to Nicholas Romanoff as a place for exercise, although he is fond of irardeninir. haps evenl ists. The Government has very kindlv and no doub When the meal is served she keeps up a series of com- ments in this strain: allowed these young girls to coca and go as the- known to nis iamny ana menus as Auosua. rrora the -monarchical point of view he is more important than 1 all the girla put together.

He is allowed to go out and I play in the public park as long as he pleases, but he is watched all the time by the guards, because he might be nsed by conspirators in an attempt to restore the aonarchy. I cm 1 1 2.V. a. "Now, children, let's have our prison fare. But without any watch beinfr kent nnon them there's a better time coming.

Believe me, I will make freely with the people of the town and travel the monsters suffer who have treated us like this! parta or the country if they wish. It is no The ar.Cmr nn th nthnr linnrl in vpra silont nlnnmv thine" to hear the ann nf a IaabI alinnlraonar, There is a balcony on the house facing east, and here Mr. A r. ii i.iid. ivumniiuu uuiam uic.r vuiy Iresn air on oramary ana reflective, tie frequently brushes away a teai from iormer urana Duchess Olga, oldest daughter days.

The windows of the Czar's private room look out his eyes. He has grown very haeeard. irrav and old Czar of All the Russias ine lvomanou ajina mix lrveiy wiui iuo oi uiunrj; ui litis of Tobolsk. They often go to tha Municipal Theatre, nd on these occasions they sit down in the lobby, whicn crves fhe purpose of tha French cafe as a social meeting lace. They often go to large tea parties in the town, 'he three older girls have attended luncheons at the on those of in-old cobbler across the street, looking.

He wears ordinarily the old undress uniform Hello. 012a. may I take yon for a ride thi 1 Nicholas and his wife are thus kept really prisoners of a colonel of the Preobajenskv Reeiment. which he is To this Olcra will reply, without bein offei 1 within their flat. They are only allowed out for tho pnr- allowed to use, although he no longer enjoys the rank.

"No, thank you. Ivanj I have an importan1 pose of attending services the Cathedral of the Annun- His chief dissipation is drinkina tea. He nsualLy of the Woman's Club to attend." lerchants' Club. They are also members of the Woman's 14 1 ciation or the Monastery or going to the publie hatha. copsumes twenty to thirty cups of strong tea a day.

and The girls are usually addressed, according to lub and the Red Cross Society oi tho town. infill ia a till aooomnaiiiad by the eieantio sailor oTor Duooay ana oa uie lautm oi au Jieaitn. urayidently due in large part to itussian siyie, aa "Ulg Nicolaievna, mean I 1 (L.