Re: The Empress Alexandra Fights Back #1

I agree with your post Griffh and in addition, I've always thought that the genuine love and devotion Alexandra & Nicholas felt towards one another somehow caused an insecurity - for lack of a better word - among Nicholas' uncles and male cousins;  in general, the entire family. Many of the marriages in royal families of that era, in particular, were arranged for various reasons and few based entirely on love as was the case of Nicholas & Alexandra's.

Outstanding point, Pandora.  Nicky and Alix’ marriage was not held together by politics, ambition, or dynastic demands and they were the only couple that I can think of in the entire Romanov family that remained monogamous except for Alexander III and Minnie; but as a widow Minnie's reputation is slightly tarnished as a recent biographer questions her relationship with a certain Prince attached to her suite after Alexander III's death. 

I think that Nicky and Alix' marital fidelity became a silent rebuke to the majority of the Romanov family, which brings us to another accusation leveled against the Empress, that she was a prude. 

The 1915 correspondence certainly clears that up.  Alix she knew first hand of Kyrill and Ducky's affair before their marriage and though it must have taken Alix years to forgive Ducky for slandering her brother Ernie, by 1915 Alix did not let Kyrill and Ducky's worldly past influence her respect for the couple.  Alix knew of her sister-in-law, Xenia's, affairs and her brother-in-law, the Grand Duke Alexander's numerous affairs but that did not make her any less devoted to Xenia or judgmental of Alexander.  Alix eventually knew of sister-in-law, Olga's, affair and though Alix was initially upset that Olga married her lover, Alix did not hold it against Olga who she deeply respected and loved.  Alix knew or brother-in-law, Michael’s numerous affairs and though she never warmed up to the mistress Michael eventually married, the 1915 correspondence shows how proud Alix was of Michael heroism during the war.  Alix certainly knew of the Grand Duke Paul's affairs and of his marriage to his former mistress and still she relied on Paul and trusted him and did not try to block his wife's official recognition as a Princess, though Alix registered her annoyance over Countess Hohenfelsen's methods of gaining prestige. 

In short there isn't anything prudish about the remarks that Alix makes about any of the Romanov's in her 1915 correspondence; even the world weary Grand Duke Boris is commended for his efforts in the war.  It is only in 1916 when the very dissolute Grand Duke Boris attempts a marriage proposal to one of Alix' daughters that Alix writes of her fears for her child's innocence and speaks out against Boris long history of immorality.  The only other hedonist that Alix rebukes, to my knowledge, is the Felix Yusupov, the husband of her niece Irina.  Alix calls Felix a false husband which is actually less a judgment than it is a simple statement of fact.     
 

     

 

I am in total agreement with you, Griffh. Sadly, the Empress was an 'scapegoat' for all situations bad in Russia. Much too easy to find someone in particular or a group of people guilty than to examine the situation, find the problem, accept blame if need be, resolve it and move on. 

[Nikolasha.]

Again, thank you Pandora for you comments.  As I am sure you know I am so relentless in my defense of the Empress that my critics accuse me of being biased.  But I am not.  I know the Empress’ weaknesses but I also know that her strengths outweigh her weaknesses.  I also know that Alexandra was on an incredibly steep learning curve during the last three years of her husband’s reign.  Once she was introduced to Ministers who treated her with less contempt and suspicion, Alix began to learn new lessons.  A perfect example of this is her attitude towards the Duma.  We have seen that in the summer of 1915, Alix felt the Duma has caused her husband more pain that it was worth.  However, as we shall see, by late 1915, once Alix has had the opportunity to interact with the new Minister of the Interior, Alexei Khvostov, Alix will change her view of the Duma and accept the fact that the Duma was there to stay. 

The thing that makes righteous judgment so difficult, when it comes to properly weighing the Empress is simply this, Alix’ will hold on to what she believes is right, only to let go of those very convictions when she gains a higher perspective.  She is going through a process in 1914-1917 not unlike her sister Ella went through in 1905-1910.  We must remember it was the Empress who encouraged her husband to grant the constitutional reforms in early 1917 that the Duma was demanding.

My only real comfort is that Alix was not torn from Nicky or her family and though they endured the tortures of arrest and were finally martyred, at least they all went to their next experience together. 

I can’t help being grateful to Anna Anderson for the involuntary part that genuinely confused woman played in rebuking the exiled Romanov family for their disapprobation of the Empress.  Anna Anderson’s voice, albeit it was the voice of her unnamed Russian sponsors, did its best to detract those Romanov’s who had tarnished memory of Nicky and Alix.  Sometimes theater is just as important as real life in its ability to convey a truth. 

Just to add a note; I am working on the theme, Nikolasha.  I think it will be quite interesting.  We shall see Alix’ transition from her approbation of Nikolasha to her growing concerns about the Commander and Chief’s role as it expands to include decisions about the government.  Of course there will be a dramatic shift in the Empress’s attitude after the Moscow Riots in late May when Nikolasha is being urged to take the throne.       

I find the Empress an extremely interesting person. She was steadfast in her devotion to her family, friends and her duty to her position & country. Once she took a stand, per se, she never looked back; her loyalty was amazing. Unfortunately, it was this deep devotion that sometimes caused her the greatest pain. Convincing her to believe or understand something different  other than what her mind was set on, seemed to be difficult. But as you pointed out, once she was given respect and respect for being an intellegient human being she caught on quickly and weighed her thoughts carefully. So, again, I very much agree with you Griffh.

PS - Nikolasha is another interesting person, IMO. I haven't been able to sort him out entirely in my mind, yet.

Alexandra was an interesting character. She was though deeply flawed and unable to listen to others for the good of the empire. She really was not suitable to be Empress as she lacked the necessary strength and social graces. She seemed to alienate a great many people rather than winning them over.   

Pandora I agree with you about Nikolasha.  It is a bit hard to gain a clear picture of him.  I know that he was disliked by the Grand Duke Paul and especially the historian, Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich and that on occasion he irritated the Empress Dowager who apparently never forgave his wife and her sister for their part in introducing Rasputin to the young Empress.  However when Nikolasha was relieved of post as Commander-and-Chief the Empress Dowager presented him with a special sword which he promised to always wear, but I am not sure if the Empress Dowager's act represented her approval of Nikolasha, or her disapproval of her son's actions.  I have just about completed the theme and will post it this weekend. I think that he is a very dedicated man loyal to Nicky, but I do think his wife and sister-in-law were capable of all kinds of intrigue.  The other thing that I am beginning to realize is that Nikolasha had a reputation for harsh measures.  But I think the key to a great deal of the trouble that was growing between Nikolasha and Nicky had its origin with Nikolasha's wife. 

I also wanted to apologize for referring to the Grand Duchess Vladimir as a battleaxe in brocade.  It was small minded of me and very improper.  The Grand Duchess was a highly capable and very intelligent woman and she had a deep appreciation of the arts and theater.  She was highly regarded in intellectual circles and maintained a brilliant salon.  I have often hoped that her extensive correspondence with Queen Marie of Romania will some day be recovered as it will prove to be a wonderful fund of information during the last years of the Romanov rule.  I am often disappointed in the Grand Duchess for allowing her ambition to rule her conduct, but I have no right to stoop to name calling. 

I think that another interesting aspect of the role that Nikolasha played was his part in the abdication.  But again I am getting ahead of myself as we are covering the first six months of 1915.  Again I am hoping to be able to post the theme Nikolasha by the weekend. 

   

The whole first world war was a mistake. It was an even greater mistake to remove Grand Duke Nicholas from his post in 1915. That way the Tsar was blamed for all the losses and was not in St.Petersburg to get on with the business of governing. Fancy leaving the German born unpopular Tsarina to run things in the capital. It was extreme folly.

[Nikolasha.]

Well finally we have arrived at the theme, Nikolasha.  I think that it is clear that the Empress had a positive view of Nikolasha until June 1915.  If you read the Empress’ growing concerns about Nikolasha you think that she is jealous for her husband’s authority and that she does not like the way Nikolasha is overshadowing Nicky.  She becomes more concerned when Nicky holds a conference of Ministers and changes key posts to men that are determined to get rid of Rasputin who is accused of being a German agent. 

Alix intuitions about Nikolasha are really quite interesting when the whole story behind the Nostitz scandal comes out.  The Empress makes two references to the scandal:

Letter No.73 Tsarskoe Selo, May 4th, 1915
…as the Nostitz story - he is in yr. suite & therefore N. has absolutely no right to give orders without asking your permission first.
If you did such a thing with one of his aide de camps without warning him, wld.' he not set up a row & play the offended, etc. & without being sure, one cannot ruin a man's career like that.

Letter No. 79 Tsarskoe Selo, May 11th, 1915
She [Ania] gave me then letters fr. the wretched Nostitz couple to read - it seems this hideous intrigue was written to her relations to America, by a Gentleman of the American embassy, instigated by her enemies - the Ambassador is a friend of theirs. She thinks it is all done by Mme Artzinzovitch (an American by birth) a story of jealousy. But it was sad to read their despairing letters of lives ruined - but I feel sure you will see that this story is cleared up satisfactorily & justice done them. I care for neither, but the whole thing is a crying shame & N. had no right to act as he did with a member of your Suite, without asking first your permission - so easy to ruin a reputation & more than difficult to reestablish it. -

The thing that the Empress is apparently unaware of is that Nikolasha’s attempt to incriminate a member of the Emperor’s own suite was really part of a plot to prove that the Empress was trying to make a separate peace with Germany. 

Since Countess Nostitz lived through the whole affair and was an eyewitness to the entire debacle I think we need to hear her account.  She mentions that she and her husband, Count Nostitz, were sent to Warsaw in 1915 and whilst she was at a reception, her husband’s cousin, General Vladimir Bezobrazoff cut her in public in the most offensive manner.  Because Bezobrazoff was Nostitz senior officer he could not challenge the General to a duel without facing a court martial, so the insult to his wife remained unchallenged and the origin of such an insult remained a mystery.   

Countess Nostitz tells us that:

Soon after I returned to Petrograd for Warsaw in 1915, I received a telephone call for the first time in well over a year from Captain Benson.  [Captain Benson was eventually tried and convicted of being a German Spy]

“Countess, I know you disapprove of me but I beg you to receive me,” he said agitatedly.  “I am being persecuted by the police.  The come to the hotel and pump me continually about the Empress, asking me if it is true that she sent me my monthly allowance out of her private purse when I was at the Legation in Switzerland and at the Embassy in Paris.  Unfortunately I told them that it was true, for I knew that lying would not help me.  They are trying to couple my name with hers.  Not only as having been her lover, which you know I never was, but I feel they have a far deeper motive.  They accuse me of having been often to Berlin.  You alone can explain that it was because I wanted to marry ‘Baby’ von Friedlander-Fuld.  I beg of you to intercede with your friends at Court.  If I am arrested it will only harm Her Majesty, who is as innocent as I am.  I implore you and beg you to help me.”

His voice was low and feeble.  I could hardly catch his words.  I hung up the telephone without answering.  I dared not risk my own reputation and my husband’s position by interfering.  For over a year I had not even bowed to Benson, whom I knew to be a cad, why then should I undertake to defend him?  I felt also that it would be still more compromising for the Empress if I tried to protect him by appealing to her.  She was herself then the object of abominable, unjust persecution.

The following day, Catherine Soukhomlinoff, wife of the Minister of War, came to see me.

…when she called to see me that morning, it was obvious that she was greatly agitated.  She was out of breath, still in her nurse’s uniform.

“I must speak to you alone,” she gasped.

We hurried into my bed room, shut all the doors.

“My dear friend, tear up all our letters at once,” she began.

“Why?” I asked, amazed.

“I feel sure the police are coming to search your house.”

“What on earth for?”

“I think really it’s because you dare to defend the Empress.  At any rate, they are accusing you of helping the Germans.  It’s been reported to my husband from Headquarters.”

I stared at her incredulously.  “Have they gone mad?  Let them come at once and search.  All they can possibly find will be the letters from my husband at the front in which nothing, absolutely nothing, about any movements of the troops are mentioned.”

She said, “Of that I am convinced.  But for some reason they are trying to compromise you.”

I thanked this dear woman for her kindness, never knowing that she, herself, within a few short days would be accused of being a spy with her husband, the Minister of War.

The next morning, my little maid, Olga, came to me with my Cossack footman.

“Madame, it is unbelievable, but we have strange individuals who have been pumping us and asking us if Madame sent out many letters and to whom.  When we asked them what they meant by such impertinence they opened their coats and showed their police badges.  We replied: ‘Madame never writes letters that we know of.’”

The added that, during my stay in Warsaw, these same two individuals had come and pretended to be looking for papers for the Count and had thoroughly examined my whole house, and had found nothing.  That whole night I paced the floors of our house a prey to torturing anxiety.  The very name of the Secret Police was enough to inspire terror in Russia.  I remembered the fate of some of their victims, and my blood ran cold.

Bezobrazoff called my husband in to him at Headquarters at Mogileff late one night, and told him that I was “suspect.”

“We will promote you,” he said to Gricha.  “You and I can’t agree anyway.  It is in both our interests that you should be transferred.  We will make you Commander General of a Division.  But the Grand Duke will give you this promotion only on condition that you divorce your wife.  Listen to this letter which I have received.”

“Dear General:

“Has it ever struck you that your cousin, Nostitz, is the only officer on the big General Staff who has a foreign wife?  She exploits his love for her to obtain military secrets for the information of her former German husband [Baron von Nimptsch].  She works for the Empress through Benson.  I have been watching.
               (signed)  “A Russian Patriot.”


I never knew who sent this letter to Headquarters.  I have sometimes wondered whether it was the work of an enemy or merely and invention of Bezobrazoff  himself. 

“Does any one pay attention to anonymous letters during wartime?” replied Gricha hotly.  “I refuse your offer of promotion, on such conditions, absolutely and finally.  I want no favors from you or the Grand Duke Nicholas if I must pay for them with treachery towards my wife.”

And he left the room without another word.

I was amazed when he arrived in Petrograd early in the morning.  After telephoning to the War Minister, he told he had something of the utmost importance to say to me…”They pretend at Headquarters that letters of yours have been intercepted addressed to your German husband.  I am compelled to ask you if you have ever, in any way, communicated with anybody in Germany since the War began?”  I saw that he was deathly pale.

“How could they possible think me fool enough to write to anyone in Germany?” I replied.  “For what reason?  What could I gain?  My two brothers enlisted from the very first in the service of France.  During your absence I have had Allied diplomatists constantly as my guests.  I have worked unceasingly for the wounded.  I have influenced you to give a fortune to the hospitals.  I have done everything I could to show my loyalty to our country.  How then could I possibly be a suspect?”

The month that followed was on of misery for me.  Everywhere I went in society the outrageous story had been spread.  I felt like a pariah.  I was unbelievable that those men and women who had been my friends, take my hospitality, should think me guilty of that basest of crimes—treachery!  I spent long, anguished nights of wakefulness in tears.

How grateful I was for the loyalty of the staunch friends who stood by me.  The English Ambassador, accompanied by his wife and daughter, called formally to make a protest against the calumny which Bezobrazoff and the Grand Duke Nicholas had started.

“We want you to know that you have our sympathy, my dear,” said Sir George.
   
 Lady Georgina Buchanan told me that, upon hearing this absurd story, her husband had said in public that he would put his hand in the fire that “Countess Nostitz is no spy.”

Dear old Maurice Paléologue also called in protest and said:  “They really cannot have much to do at Headquarters if they occupy themselves in inventing such a ridiculous story about a society butterfly.”

The American Ambassador, David Francis, who had replaced Mr. Marye, and his Secretaries also called in sympathy with me and the Ambassador said that he would give me all the protection that his position afforded him…

The rest of the Diplomatic Corps also come to my house constantly.

Although for weeks I lived in a miserable state of tension, the Grand Duke Nicholas and Bezobrazoff, for reasons best known to themselves, made no further move in the matter.  Perhaps it was the result of their investigations, for my husband obtained, in writing, proof from every person of importance connected with the affair, that there was not the slightest ground for suspicion against me.

But more likely they gave it up owing to the intervention of the Emperor, for in a letter from the Empress to her husband included in the Bolsheviks’ publication of her letters, she wrote, on May 11, 1915:

“My Own Precious Nicky:

“We spent the evening at Ania’s yesterday (Ania Wiroubova).  Alexi (the Czarevitch) enjoyed himself greatly.  Ania gave me then the letters from the Nostitz couple to read.  It seems this hideous intrigue was instigated by her enemy.  The Ambassador is a friend of theirs.  She thinks it is all done by Mme. Artsimovich, an American by birth.  A story of jealousy.  But was sad to read their despairing letters of lives ruined.  But I feel sure you will see that this story is cleared up satisfactorily, and justice is done to them.  The whole thing is a crying shame and Nicholas Nicolaievitch had no right to act as he did with a member of your Suite without asking first your permission.  So easy to ruin a reputation and more than difficult to reëstablish it…  [Ref:  Countess Nostitz, “The Countess From Iowa,” pp.164-170]         


Countess Nostitz, Paris, circa 1909

...and the woman Countess Nostitz first blamed for the scandal:


Mme. Artsimovich, nee Whitier  St. Petersburg, circa 1914

Clearly the Countess edited the Empress’ letter if you compare her version with the original.  There is a great deal of food for thought in Countess Nostitz account and regardless of whether there was a conspiracy or whether it was war hysteria that caused the persecution of the Countess, we get a fairly candid snapshot of Nikolasha and his ruthless tactics and Alix concerns about the man gain a certain validity.  The other thing that is shocking to me is that the secret police were actively investigating any lead that would link the Empress to a pro-German plot for a separate peace.  This means that Ella’s friend, Vladimir Dzhunkovsky, the deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Head of the Secret Police is not only after Rasputin but is also trying to incriminate the Empress in May 1915.   

Well without further ado, here is the theme, Nikolasha.     

[ALEXANDRA’S CORRESPONDENCE TO NICKY IN 1915ARRANGED INTO THEMES]

ALEXANDRA’S CORRESPONDENCE TO NICKY IN 1915
ARRANGED INTO THEMES

NIKOLASHA

Letter No. 34 Tsarskoe Selo, Jan. 21st, 1915
…speak over those different questions with Nikolasha; perhaps you wish to mention the Manifest to him, If you want to do another kind act, telegraph once to Fredericks, or tell Voieikov who wires to him daily, to give a message from you.

Letter No. 35 Tsarskoe Selo, Jan. 22nd, 1915
…sat with Ania who is alright - she begs me to tell you what she forgot giving over to you yesterday fr. our Friend, that you must be sure not once to mention the name of the commander in Chief: in your manifest it must solely come from you to the people. –

Letter No. 38 Tsarskoe Selo, Jan. 25th, 1915
So Piaterkin remains with N. lets hope he will use him thoroughly & send him about to wake him up. Yes, its lucky your people get on well together, it makes all the difference -

Stavka. 26 January, 1915
I visited Nicholasha and inspected his new railway carriage; a very comfortable and practical one, but the heat in it is such that one cannot endure it above half an hour. We discussed thoroughly several important questions and, to my joy, came to an entire agreement on all those we touched upon. I must say, that when he is alone and in a good humour he is sound - I mean to say, he judges correctly. Everybody has noticed a great change in him since the beginning of the war. Life in this isolated place, which he calls his "hermitage," and the sense of the crushing responsibility which rests on his shoulders, must have made a deep impression upon his soul; and that, if you will, is a great achievement too…Nicky

Letter No. 41 Tsarskoe Selo, Jan. 28th, 1915
Nikolasha's long telegram fills one's heart with admiration & deepest emotion what bravery to withstand 22 attacks in one day.
Really saints & heroes all of them. But what ghastly losses the Germans have & they don't seem to care. - Thanks so much for letting me get these telegrams. -

Letter No. 42 Tsarskoe Selo, Jan. 29th, 1915
 - I am so glad you had good talks with N. Freder: is rather in despair (rightly) about many orders he gives unwisely & wh. only aggravate, & things one had better not discuss now - others influence him & he tries to play your part wh. is far from right - except in military matters - & ought to be put a stop to - one has no right before God & man to usurp your rights as he does - he can make the mess & later you will have great difficulty in mending matters. Me it hurts very much. One has no right to profit of one's unusually great rights as he does.

Stavka. 2 March, 1915
N. is in a good humour and as usual demands rifles and ammunition. The question of supplying our railways and factories with coal has assumed an alarming character, and I have asked Roukhlov to take it all into his hands. Only imagine, if the manufacture of military supplies were to cease I And this because of a lack of coal, or rather owing to an insufficient output of it. in our mines in the South I I am convinced that energetic measures will pull us out of these difficulties…

3 March

…My plans are not yet quite clear. N. would not hear of my going to Lomja to start with. He says that German aeroplanes are flying there above our troops, searching for our reserves; that all the roads are blocked with transport and wagons; and that, for these reasons, he does not advise General Pau to travel in that direction. I shall see what I shall do.

Letter No. 50 Tsarskoe Selo, March 4th, 1915
- Now I wonder what you will do - dont tell, where you intend going, then- you can get through unawares & I am sure, he knows far less where you can go, then when you are nearer out there already in the train.

Letter No. 51 Tsarskoe Selo, March 5th, 1915
- Dont you tell N. & go off where it suits you & where nobody can expect you - of course he will try to keep you back, because one won't let him move - but if you go, I know that God will hold you in safe keeping &, you & the troops will feel comforted. ~

Stavka. 5 March, 1915
We have only just come back from our after-dinner walk. The roads among the fields are very slippery, and my gentlemen sometimes fall down. Some days ago Sazonov fell, while crossing from the train to his carriage, and bruised his nose and leg. Yesterday Drenteln slipped in the same place and tore the tendon of his ankle; he had to lie down, and Feodorov is attending him. To-day, during our walk, Grabbe fell, but lucidly without hurting himself. Towards the end he fell through the ice into a ditch, but also without taking harm.
From all this you can see that we spend our time quietly and without notable events. This morning I spent an hour or an hour and a half with N. and two Staff officers...Nicky

Letter No. 52 Tsarskoe Selo, March 6th, 1915
Do so wonder where & when you will be able to move on - standing so long at the Headquarters must be rather despairing.

Stavka. 7 March, 1915
The prolongation of my stay here has proved useful, as we had to discuss a number of serious and pressing questions; if I had not been here it would have taken much more time and an exchange of telegrams...Nicky

[Letter No. 54 Tsarskoe Selo, March 8th, 1915]

It seems to me you think that N. is holding me back on purpose, with the idea of not letting me move about and see the troops. In reality that is not quite correct.
About a fortnight ago, when he wrote to me advising me to come here, he said that I could easily visit three army corps, because they were grouped together in the rear.
Since then much has changed, and they have all been sent to the front line; that is true - I receive proof of it every morning during the Reports. Even General Pau was not allowed to go to Lomja (my little place). He only went through Warsaw to Bzoura and Ravka, where at the present moment all is quiet...Nicky

Letter No. 54 Tsarskoe Selo, March 8th, 1915
I see now why you did not go more forward, but surely you could go still to some place before returning, it would do you good and cheer the others up - anywhere. That drive must have been nice, but I understand the sad impression of those empty houses, probably many of them never to be inhabited by the same people again. Such is life such a tragedy!

Letter No. 54 Tsarskoe Selo, March 8th, 1915
…I know it's right you should be there and the change is good for you, only I should have wished more people to have profited and seen you. - I suppose you had service to-day.

Stavka. 9 March, 1915
…just at this very minute, 11.30, Nicolasha came running into my carriage, out of breath and with tears in his eyes, and told me of the fall of Przemysl. Thanks be to God I For two days we have been waiting for this news with hope and anxiety. The fall of this fortress has an enormous moral and military significance. After several months of despondency, this news strikes as an unexpected ray of sunshine. and exactly on the first day of spring!
I began this letter in a calm mood, but now everything has been turned upside down in my head, so you must excuse the second part of this letter. Oh, my dear, I am so profoundly happy at this good news, and so grateful to God for His mercy! I have ordered a thanksgiving Te Deum to be sung at 2 o'clock in the local church…Nicky

Letter No. 54a Tsarskoe Selo, March 9th, 1915
Just got your telegram, it came in 15 min; thank God Przmysl taken, congratulate you with all my loving heart - this is good - what joy for our beloved troops! They did have a long time of it, and honestly speaking I am glad for the poor garrison and people who must have almost been dying of hunger. Now we shall have those army corps free to throw over to more weak places. I am too happy for you! -

Letter No. 55 Tsarskoe Selo, April 4th, 1915
You will see a bit more I hope before you get to the Headquarters and should Nikolasha say any thing to Voyeikoy in form of a complaint, have it at once stopped and show that you are the master. Forgive me, precious One, but you know you are too kind and gentle - sometimes a good loud voice can do wonders, and a severe look - do my love, be more decided and sure of yourself - you know perfectly well what is right, and when you do not agree and are right, bring your opinion to the front and let it weigh against the rest. They must remember more who you are and that first they must turn to you. Your being charms every single one, but I want you to hold them by your brain and experience. Though Nikolasha is so highly placed, yet you are above him. The same thing shocked our Friend, as me too, that Nikolasha words his telegrams, answers to governors, etc. in your style -- his ought to be more simple and humble and other things. - You think me a medlesome bore, but a woman feels and sees things sometimes clearer than my too humble sweetheart. Humility is God's greatest gift - but a Sovereign needs to show his will more often. Be more sure of yourself and go ahead - never fear, you won't say too much.

Stavka. 5 April, 1915
I had a long conversation with N.; then the usual Report, and [afterwards went] to church. He suggested [advised] that I should go as soon as possible to Przemysl and Lvov, as later it would be necessary to take certain measures in Galicia. Bobrinsky told me the same thing several days ago. I shall be accompanied by N., as it will be my first visit to the conquered area. Naturally, this visit will be of very short duration, [as] both local railway lines are blocked up with trains. After that I shall see Ivanov and Alexeiev and continue my journey to the South. I cannot yet ascertain the date, but of course I shall inform you in good time.
It is quite interesting to spend a few days in this manner, and in some ways passes the bounds of the ordinary…Old Fredericks has just had his talk with N. At dinner I shall be able to judge by the expression of their faces how this conversation has passed off. I had a good walk with my people…Nicky

Letter No. 58 Tsarskoe Selo, April 6th 1915
I wonder how Fr. conversation with N. went off.

[Stavka. 6 April, 1915]

Stavka. 6 April, 1915
Yesterday, after lengthy discussions, it was decided that we should start from the Stavka on Wednesday evening and arrive at the old frontier station of Brody on Thursday morning. Thence, N., I and some of our suite will drive in cars to Lvov, and the rest with Fredericks will go by train. In this way we shall follow the route which was taken in August by our Third Army, and shall see the battlefields, spend the night in Lvov and in the morning proceed via Sambor, where Broussilov is, to Przemysl. - Here we shall spend the night and return by the same route. Between those two places I shall perhaps manage to get in touch with the Third Caucasian Corps, who are concentrating in the reserve.
Think what a delight it would be if I should really succeed in doing so!...Nicky

Letter No. 58 Tsarskoe Selo, April 6th 1915
…forgive my saying so - its not for N. to accompany you -you must be the chief one, the first time you go. You find me an old goose, no doubt, but if others wont think of such things, I must. He must remain & work as usual - really don't take him, as the hate against him must be great there - & to see you alone will rejoice those hearts that go out to you in love and gratitude. - Such sunshine!

Stavka. 7 April, 1915
Darling mine, I do not agree with you that N. ought to remain here during my visit to Galicia. On the contrary, precisely because I am going in war-time to a conquered province, the Commander-in-Chief ought to accompany me. It is he who accompanies me; not I who am in his suite.
As I wrote to you yesterday, I hope to see the 2nd Caucasian Corps near Sambor, and get in touch with the 8th Army of Broussilov. Unless one counts last year's visit to the Caucasus, I have so far not had the opportunity of being near troops, and especially those troops which have been victorious since the very beginning of the war!...Nicky

Letter No. 60 Tsarskoe Selo, April 8th, 1915
- I see now why you take N. with you, thanks for explaining deary.

Letter No.73 Tsarskoe Selo, May 4th, 1915
as the Nostitz story - he is in yr. suite & therefore N. has absolutely no right to give orders without asking your permission first.
If you did such a thing with one of his aide de camps without warning him, wld.' he not set up a row & play the offended, etc. & without being sure, one cannot ruin a man's career like that.

Stavka. 11 May, 1915
When I arrived, a mood of depression and despondency reigned here. In a half-hour's talk, N. has clearly explained the whole state of affairs. Ivanov's Chief of Staff, poor General Dragomirov, went off his head, and he began to tell people right and left that it was necessary to retreat to Kiev. Such talk, coming from above, naturally affected the spirit (moral) of the generals in command and, combined with desperate German attacks and our terrible losses, led them to the conclusion that there was nothing left for them to do except to retreat. Since January, N. had given them all strict orders to fortify their positions in the rear. This was not done…I felt all this before N. told me of it. But now, after the appointment of Savitch, thanks to God and also to his (Savitch's) strong and cool will and clear head, the mood of the generals has changed…The moral condition of our troops is admirable, as it always has been; the only thing which causes anxiety, as in the past, is the shortage of munitions. Fancy, the same thing has happened to the Germans according to what the prisoners tell our officers - namely, that they were obliged to hold up their attacks owing to their supplies of ammunition being exhausted and their terrible losses. N. is very pleased with Gen. Alexeiev, my crosseyed friend, and thinks him a man in the right place.
Now you can judge for yourself whether I could go away from here in such difficult circumstances. It would have been understood as meaning that I avoided staying with the army at critical moments. Poor N., while telling me this, wept in my private room, and even asked me whether I thought of replacing him by a more capable man. He was not at all excited (overwrought]; I felt that he was saying exactly what he thought. He kept on thanking me for staying here, because my presence here supported him personally.  That is how it is. I have explained it all to you, my treasure. Now my conscience is clear. I hope to return about the morning pf the 14th - that is, if everything goes smoothly.
…I am sending you this telegram of N.'s, which was received only this morning…Nicky

Letter No. 79 Tsarskoe Selo, May 11th, 1915
She [Ania] gave me then letters fr. the wretched Nostitz couple to read - it seems this hideous intrigue was written to her relations to America, by a Gentleman of the American embassy, instigated by her enemies - the Ambassador is a friend of theirs. She thinks it is all done by Mme Artzinzovitch (an American by birth) a story of jealousy. But it was sad to read their despairing letters of lives ruined - but I feel sure you will see that this story is cleared up satisfactorily & justice done them. I care for neither, but the whole thing is a crying shame & N. had no right to act as he did with a member of your Suite, without asking first your permission - so easy to ruin a reputation & more than difficult to reestablish it. -

[Letter No. 81 Tsarskoe Selo, June 10th, 1915]

Letter No. 81 Tsarskoe Selo, June 10th, 1915
- if the order [calling in the Second class] has been given, you tell N. that you insist upon its counterordering - by your name to wait, the kind act must come fr. you - dont listen to any excuses - (am sure it was unintentionally done out of not having knowledge of the country).

Letter No. 81 Tsarskoe Selo, June 10th, 1915
Remember you have reigned long, have far more experience than they N. has only the army to think of & success - you carry the internal responsabilities on for years - if he makes faults (after the war he is nobody), but you have to set all straight.

Letter No. 82 Tsarskoe Selo, June 11th,1915
Please, my Angel, make N. see with your eyes - dont give in to any of the 2-nd class being taken - put it off as long as only possible - they have to work in the fields, fabrics, on steamers etc.; rather take the recroutes for next year now - please listen to His advise when spoken so gravely wh. gave Him sleepless nights - one fault & we shall all have to pay for it.

Letter No. 82 Tsarskoe Selo, June 11th, 1915
- I wonder what humour you found at the Head-Quarters & whether the heat is very great.

Letter No. 83 Tsarskoe Selo, June 12th, 1915
Wonder how the spirit in the Head-Quarters is? - Would to God N. were another man & had not turned against a man of Gods, that always brings bad luck to their work & those women wont let him change; he recieved decorations without end & thanks for all but too early - its pain to think he got so much & nearly all has been retaken.
But God Almighty will help & better days will come, I feel convinced..

Stavka. 12 June, 1915
BELOVED WIFY MINE,
I thank you most warmly for both your sweet letters - they have refreshed me. This time I left with such a heavy heart! I thought of all the various and difficult questions - of the change of Ministers, of the Duma, of the 2nd Category, and so on. When I arrived I found N. grave, but quite calm. He told me that he understood the seriousness of the moment, and that he had received a letter to that effect from Goremykin…Nicky

Telegram. Stavka. 14 June, 1915
After lunch we are having the conference of Ministers…Nicky

Letter No. 87 Tsarskoe Selo, June, 15th/16th, 1915
I always remember what our Friend says & how often we do not enough heed His words.
He was so much against yr. going to the Headquarters, because people get round you there & make you do things, wh. would have been better not done - here the atmosphere in your own house is a healthier one & you would see things more rightly - if only you would come back quicker. I am not speaking because of a selfish feeling, but that here I feel quieter about you & there am in a constant dread what one is concocting - you see, I have absolutely no faith in N.
 
Letter No. 87 Tsarskoe Selo, June, 15th/16th, 1915
& that the man of God's who prays incessantly for you, might be in danger again of persecution that God would not forgive us our weakness & sin in not protecting Him. - You know N's hatred for Gr. is intense. Speak once to Voleikov, Deary, he understands such things because he is honestly devoted to you.

Letter No. 87 Tsarskoe Selo, June, 15th/16th/17th, 1915
[Orlov], who is N. colossal friend they correspond the whole time when you are here, B. knows it.
That can mean no good. He grudges no doubt about Gr.'s visits to our house, & therefore wants you away from him, at the Head-Quarters . If they only knew how they harm instead of helping you, blind people with their hatred against Or ! You remember dans "Les Amis de Dieue" it says, a country cannot be lost whose Sovereign is guided by a man of God's. Oh let Him guide you more.

Stavka. 15 June, 1915
I spoke to Shavelsky about arranging, for some day or other, krestny khod [the procession of the Cross] all over Russia. He thought it a very good idea, and suggested for it the 8th of July, the day of the Mother of God of Kazan, which is celebrated everywhere. He sends you his deepest respects.
… Fortunately yesterday's conference was held in the large tent, and lasted from 2 till 5 o'clock. I was rather tired, but N. and all of them were greatly pleased. Old Gor. expressed the opinion that this conference here was more productive of results than three months of their ordinary work.
In my next letter I shall tell you some of the details of it; to-day I have no time. My papers are neglected, and I must look through them…Nicky

Letter No. 89 Tsarskoe Selo, June 17th, 1915
Never forget that you are & must remain authocratic Emperor, - we are not ready for a constitutional government, N's fault & Wittes it was that the Duma exists, & it has caused you more worry than joy.