Spiridovitch, Nicholas' Chief of Secret Personal Security, who spent much "one on one" time with the Emperor and is a highly reliable source of first hand information writes:
There was an opinion widely repeated in which the Emperor had detested the Jews. That is incorrect. As he was a Russian, and a man well versed in political and social history, the Emperor would not love the Jews, however he never once displayed the slightest hatred toward them. He always showed himself to be as equally fair in regards to them as he was to many other groups.
Those who created the anti-Jewish policies were acting in accordance with their own personal beliefs, and were hiding behind the Emperor and were trying to make him the scapegoat for them. All of that was for nothing.
After the celebrated Beyliss trial, which ended with a verdict which, while recognizing the ritual character of the murder, nevertheless acquitted Beyliss; the Tsar, informed of the verdict (he was then still at Yalta) said to someone in his entourage who later repeated his words to me:
"It is certain that this had been a ritual murder. However I am happy that Beyliss was acquitted, as he is innocent."
"P.A. Stolypin died on September 5th at 5 o'clock in the evening.
Once the news of his death was known, the popular centers were beginning to display a blame toward the Jews. A pogrom was going to erupt. Although he was orthodox, Bogrov was Jewish in origin, and that was enough to give rise to a hatred toward the Jews. "The Jews have killed Stolypin. Kill the Jews" was heard throughout the city. Governor Guirs and Kuliabko did everything possible to prevent a pogrom. They both held great influence among the right wing organizations, although these same organizations say the Governor General as a partisan of Jews and had little confidence in him.
The police patrols circulating in the streets hardly frightened the crowds. They could only calm them and prevent vengence against the Jews for the assassination of the minister by telling them that the Emperor wished that there not be a pogrom, and that he would be greatly upset if one happened. I witnessed this myself, as I had not left for Tchernigov, and so I was asked by Kurlov to help Kuliabkov to assist in calming the crowds and to persuade them from starting a pogrom.
Count Kokovtzev told me much later that the Tsar had thanked him most warmly in Kiev for having succeeded, as he had replaced the murdered Stolypin, in preventing a pogrom, and had even embraced him, a sign of personal recognition.").
and finally, Spridovitch quotes from Prince Vladimir Petrovitch Metchersksi, Chamberlain of His Majesty's Court whom Nicholas considered as almost a father:
"You don't know, my friend, how difficult it was to speak to the Emperor…Even thinking about that reception is painful for me...I spoke about the Jewish question. The Emperor listened to me without interrupting me and with great attention. From time to time, in his kind face, I saw the shadow of displeasure. I did everything I could to force him to respond to me. But he kept silent. Knowing well his intelligence, the fineness of his spirit, I was wounded that he did not want to face the evidence. When I had finished with the Jewish question, the Emperor thought for several minutes, looked me fixed in the eyes and slowly smiled as if he wanted to soften his response, said to me: 'Excuse me, my old friend, but I am not in agreement with you. I thank you very much for the advice which you have given me and which has been dictated by your devotion to me, by the love for our Mother Russia, but…you know that it is often that I do not wish to follow your advice. I must take into consideration many other circumstances which you do not know about, which escape your attention…My responsibility towards Russia is so great that I do not have the right to consider a question of such great importance to the State on just one side alone, although I should find it personally desireable. You do not know all of these circumstances which I do, which I do not have the right to ignore, and which, quite to the contrary, I must take into consideration…"
Nicholas went into a rage when Gen. Dombabdye, Governor General of Yalta, refused to admit the Jewish members of Nicholas' personal orchestra for a command performance. He also continually publicly mocked Dombabze for his rabid anti-Semitic stance and Nicholas did meet many Jews personally on a one on one basis. Nicholas was far less anti-Semitic in his personal feelings than most believe. He felt a higher duty to maintain social stability and a "status quo" rather than create sweeping reforms. I personally feel that if the 1905 events had not occurred that Nicholas would have done far more to extend full rights to the Jews of his Empire. (and PS I'm Jewish myself. My grandfather left Poland when Nicholas extended the draft to include Jews to fight in the Japanese war, as he had no desire to be in the army!).
