On Monday Europe was startled by the news that Prince
Lobanof, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the chief statesman in Russia, had died suddenly during the railway journey between Vienna and Kieff. The Prince, who was in attendance on the Czar at Vienna, had intended to undertake a massage cure as the state of his health was not good, but at his Imperial master's request he postponed the contemplated treatment, and accompanied the Czar on his
journey. At the desire of the Emperor, who wished to take a walk during his long railway journey, the train was stopped on Sunday evening near a small wood not far from Scheptowka, a place several stations from Kieft Everybody left the train and went towards the wood. Prince Lobanof had, however, only proceeded a few steps when he felt ill, and desired to go back to his carriage. So violent was the seizure that he had to be helped back into the railway carriage, and when there he soon became insensible. A doctor was sent for, but before he could apply any remedies the Prince had died. The cause of death was an aneurism. It has been suggested that his death was due to foul-play, but there is not an atom of evidence for this wild statement.
