We are not going to flounder in the morassesof personal
and party scandal, or attempt to decide how much was true, how much cruelly 'unjust gossip, but there can be no doubt that Rasputin did play in Russian society -the part of a religious Csgliostro. Though -the authorities of the Russian Church tried to proscribe him, he managed: again and again to defy them and to secure for himself a position above the laws, civil and ecclesiastical. The politicians and the place-hunters. courted him, and he is said to have amassed very considerable sums; of money. Whether those who took his life did so on the grounds; of private revenge or of patriotism remains to be seen. In any ease, we agree-with:neuter's correspondent that the disappearance of this sinister .figure ia a. subject for congratulation for all trust friends of Russia.
Previous page
