The Letters of the Tsar to the Tsaritsa, T914-1917

[By arrangement with Messrs. John Lane, who- published the *complete book on. Friday, February 22nd, we are printing the last of a series of extracts from " The Letters of the Tsar to the Tsaritsa, 1914-1917." These letters and telegrams, originally written in English, are re-translated from the official Russian publication of " The Correspondence of Nicholas and Alexandra Romanov "—the only available text, and now appear for the first lime in England.]

• . Stavka (Military Headquarters), September 20th, 1916.

My Dear Sunny,—Best thanks for your letter. Baby's (The Tsarevitch) foot is better and he walks again freely.

Together with military matters, the eternal question of supplies troubles me most of all. Alexeiev gave me to-day a letter which he received from the charming Prince Obolensky, the President of the Committee of Supplies. He confesses frankly that they cannot alleviate the situation in any way, that they are working in vain, that the Ministry of Agriculture pays no attention to their regulations, that the prices are soaring and the people beginning to starve. It is obvious where the situation may lead the country.

, Old St. cannot overcome these difficulties. I do not see any other way out, except by transferring the _matter to the military authorities, but that also has its disadvantages ! It is the most damnable problem I have ever come across I never was a business man, and simply do not understand anything in these questions of supplying and provisioning. I must finish now, my own. May God preserve you and the girls ! Many kisses.—Eternally your old

NICKY.

*- * * * Stavka, November 5th, 1916.

My Precious Darling,—Most grateful to you for your dear letter. I am so sorry that I have upset you and made you angry by sending you the two letters of N. (Grand Duke Nicholas), but as I am in a constant hurry I had not read them, because he had spoken exhaustively of the matter for a long time.

But he never once mentioned you, discussing only the stories about spies, factories, workmen, disorders, Ministers and the general internal situation ! Had he said anything about you, you do not really doubt that your dear hubby would have taken your part ? I must add that he did not at all want to give me his letters—I simply took them from him, and he gave them up rather unwillingly. Of course, I am not defending him, but am only explaining things as they were.

Baby's leg is a little better. He slept very well, and it hurt only for about a quarter of an hour in the evening..

Yesterday I received the famous General Manikovsky, the chief of the Ordnance Department. He told me much con- cerning the workmen, the terrible propaganda among them' and the enormous amount of money distributed among them for strikes—and that on the other side no resistance is offered, the police do nothing and nobody seems to care what may happen. The Ministers are, as usual, weak—and here is the result !

It is time for me to finish, my darling. God bless you and the girls ! Fond kisses.—Eternally your old

NICKY.

" The two letters of N." These letters, written by the Grand Duke Nicholas and intended only for the Tsar's perusal, contained allusions which were extremely painful to the Tsaritsa. They Provoked, from her, a hysterical outburst. She was " utterly disgusted.' His conduct, she said, was loathsome and treaeherous. He himself was "the incar- nation of evil," hated by all who were loyal and trustworthy.

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Telegram. Orsha Station, December 18th, 1916.

I have only just read your letter. Am horrified and shaken. In prayers and thoughts I am with you. Am arriving to-morrow at 5 o'clock. Heavy frost. The con- ference closed at 4 o'clock. I bless you, and kiss you.

NICKY.

. .

" Am horrified and shaken." The Taaritaa's letter had told him of the disappearance of Rasputin and of the rumour of murder.

Telegram. Bolgoe, February 22nd, 1917.

Am travelling well. In thought with all of you. Feel lonely and sad. Am very grateful for letters. Embrace

all. Good-night. NICKY.

The Tsar was now on his way to the Stavka for the last time. A fortnight after the dispatch of this telegram he was no longer an Emperor, and was placed under arrest. During his stay at Tsarskoe Selo he had learnt the details of the murder of Rasputin. It is doubtful if he realized the significance of that murder, or if he had the slightest idea of what was taking place in the capital and throughout Russia. Actually, the first signs of the Revolution had already shown themselves, the army was on the brink of mutiny, and the better part of the population was sick of war, enervated, hungry, and desperate.

* * * *

Stavka, February 23rd, 1917.

I greatly miss my half-hourly game of patience every evening. I shall take up dominoes again in my spare time. The stillness round here depresses me, of course, when I am not working.—Old Ivanov was amiable and charming at dinner. My other neighbour was Sir H. Williams, who is delighted at having met so many of his compatriots here lately.

You write about my being firm—a master ; that is quite right. Be assured that I do not forget ; but it is not necessary to snap at people right and left every minute. A quiet, caustic remark or answer is often quite sufficient to show a person his place. Well, my dear, it is getting late. Good-night. May God bless your sleep . . . • * Telegram. Stavka. February 26th, 1917.

Thank you heartily for telegrams. Ant leaving the day after. to-morrow. Have finished here with all important questions. Sleep well. May God bless you all !

NICKY.

It was on this day that the Tsar received Rodzianko's historic tele- gram, in which the new of the outbreak of the Revolution and of the peril of the dynasty was conveyed in no uncertain words. He was told that there was anarchy in the capital, that the Government was paralysed, and that any delay would be fatal.

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Stavka. February 27th, 1917.

My Treasure,—Tender thanks for your sweet letter. This will be my last one. How happy I am at the thought that we shall see each other in two days' time! I have a great many things to do, and therefore my .letter will be short.

After yesterday's news from the town I saw many frightened faces here. Fortunately, Alexeiev is calm, but he thinks it necessary to appoint a very energetic man, so as to compel the Ministers to work out the solution of the problems— supplies, railways, coal, etc.. That is, of course, quite right. I have heard that the disorders among the troops are caused by the company of convalescents. I wonder what Paul is doing ? He ought to keep them in hand.

God bless you, my dear Sunny ! Many kisses for you and the children. Give her my greefings.—Eteiniilly your

NICKY.

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Telegram. Lichoslavl. February 28th, 1917.

Thanks for news. Ant glad that all is well with you. Hope to be home to-morrow morning. Embrace you and the children. God guard you!

NICKY.

The Imperial train'was stopped at Vishem, on instructions to the railway staff sent from Petrograd, and was diverted to Pskov. 'Here the Tsar telegraphed to Rodzianko intimating his readiness to make concessions, and received the grim reply : " It is too kite." On the evening of March 1st the Tsar sent for General Rouszky (whose head- quarters were in Pskov) and handed him a Ukase which made the Cabinet responsible for the Duma. Throughout the night the Com- manders-in-Chief were in telegraphic communication With each other, with Alereiev (lately returned to the Stavka) and with Rodzianko, and it was agreed that the only possible course was to demand the abdication of the Tsar. On the following day General Rouszky informed the Tsar of this decision. He listened with no visible emotion, and at 3 o'clock he sent Rous:ky a signed act of abdication.

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Telegram. Stavka. March 4th, 1917. Thanks, my dear. Have at last received your telegram to-night. Despair is passing away. May God bless you all I

Tender love. Nicol,