BULLETIN: Revolution in Russia. Nicholas II out, brother new Tsar

Embed from Getty Images

March 15, 1917

Emperor Nicholas II of Russia has abdicated his throne, according to multiple news sources.  His younger brother, Grand Duke Michael, has been named Regent.

The New York Times is reporting that the Russian Ministry, "charged with corruption and incompetence," has been swept out of office.   A new national Cabinet, headed by Prince Lvov, as President of the Council, is said to be "close to the Russian people.

Petrograd (former St. Petersburg) has been the "scene of one of the most remarkable risings in history," beginning with the "minor food riots and labor strikes last week."

The Imperial Council also understood the "gravity of the situation," and appealed, with others to the Duma, for the Emperor to "take steps to give the people a policy and government in accordance with their desires."

Nicholas hurried back to the capital, only to find that the "revolution had been successful," and a new Government had taken power.

It has been alleged that Empress Alexandra has been "influential in the councils, opposed to the wishes of the people," and it is being reported that she has fled or is in hiding.

The Imperial Palace at Tsarkoe Selo is said to be "in a state of siege."

Nicholas II's abdication has followed a "Liberal Revolution."  He had no other choice as he was "unwilling or unable to lend sufficient intensity to the successful prosecution of a foreign war."

He has been a "man of excellent intentions, but vacillating resolution.  He came to the throne on November 1, 1894, following the death of his father, Alexander III, who reigned for thirteen years.

Nicholas' younger brother, Michael, will succeed his brother,  as Nicholas abdicated for himself and his only son, Alexis.

The young Tsarevitch has been in delicate health for some years.   The concern over his health began in 1912 when he suffered a serious injury onboard the imperial yacht, the Standart.  The palace had never clarified what had actually happened, whether he was ill or had been injured.  His health has been the "subject of much discussion and a never-ending swarm of rumors.

Embed from Getty Images

It is not known whether he has recovered "without permanent disability", and reports as to what happened on the Standart include falling while in his bathtub or slipped while climbing on a chair, or got hurt while diving.

Alexis was born at Peterhof on August 12, 1904. His birth was celebrated throughout the Russian Empire, as he was the first son born to Nicholas and Alexandra, after four daughters.

Inheritance to the Russian throne is semi-Salic,  meaning that all of the eligible male members of the Romanov family, precede all of the female members, including Nicholas' four daughters, Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia.

The "undeniable fact" is that Alexis was seriously ill for many months.  Recently, he has visited some of the armies, but it is uncertain if he has recovered his health.

The "talents, inclinations and capacities" of Grand Duke Michael have been "obscured," due to having lived in exile in England for several years after contracting a marriage with a woman of lower rank.    At the outbreak of the war, Michael returned to Russia and "commanded a division with distinguished success during" an attack on the Carpathians in early 2015.  Little has been heard about Grand Duke Michael since then.

He was born on November 22, 1878, the third surviving child of Alexander III and Empress Marie.  Nicholas is ten years his senior.  He has two sisters, Grand Duchess Xenia, who is married to Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovitch, and Grand Duchess Olga, the wife of Duke Peter of Oldenburg.

The British Government has "hailed" the Revolution.  Well-informed sources have told the New York Times that Nicholas' overthrow was "expected," and observers are "confident" that Grand Duke Michael "will have the support of the war party./"  They are also "equally sure" that the new government will be able to eliminate any element "with a pro-German taint."

Embed from Getty Images

As explained to the New York Times, the "revolution simply means that the German sympathizers within the Russian Government have been overthrown," and there is no chance for a separate peace with Germany.

Embed from Getty Images

The revolution finally reached a boiling three days ago, when the military, supported by the Duma, started outbreaks in Moscow and Petrograd.

Earlier today, the Daily Chronicle led with a glaring attack on Empress Alexandra/  "From an early period the German-born Czarina and the clique of pro-German reactionaries whom her influence made powerful with the Czar were bent on ending the war prematurely in the interests of reaction."

The Chronicle also stated that the "Czar's blindness was incurable. In a kind of panic he got rid of every remaining progressive Minister; a non-entity of no importance was made Prime Minister, and the real power fell to Protopopoff, the strong man of the camarilla, who was to see their design through."

This afternoon, the Daily Chronicle reported that Empress Alexandra "has been placed under guard."

Her whereabouts are unknown.


if you liked this article

http://royalbooknews.blogspot.com/2017/03/now-out-romanovs-by-coryne-hall-and.html