The Last Tsar - Chapter Sixteen The Reign of Rasputin

Chapter Sixteen
The Reign of Rasputin

Now that the Empress and Rasputin got a free hand to appoint ministers of their own choice and dismiss those who were not their favourites. Their interference with the affairs of State caused gravest concern in every corner of Russia. 'It is our duty', declared Sazonov, the Foreign Minister, 'to tell the Tsar frankly that under existing conditions we cannot govern the country. We are doing harm to the country. The Cabinet cannot perform its functions while it does not enjoy the confidence of the Sovereign and people.'

A collective letter of resignation, signed by eight of the thirteen ministers, was sent to the Tsar. The Tsar refused to accept it, but the Tsarina was determined to drive each man who had signed the letter. Thus the next sixteen months, the most crucial time in the history of Russia, saw the sad parade of dismissals, reshuffles and intrigues.

In that time Russia had four different ministers of agriculture and three ministers of war. 'It was an amazing, extravagant, pitiful spectacle and one without parallel in the history of a civilised nation', - wrote a statesman.

When the Tsar made up his mind to dismiss the very old Prime Minister, Goremykin, who himself asked permission to resign -'The Emperor cannot see the candles have already been lighted around my coffin and that the only thing required to complete the ceremony is myself', - he said mournfully.

Rasputin and the Tsarina got alarmed. 'Our friend (Rasputin) told me to wait about Goremykin until he had seen Khvostov', the Tsarina wrote to the Tsar, but Khvostov did not survive the interview. The next candidate chosen by Rasputin was Boris Sturmer. His family origins were German. In Goremykin's enfeebled hands the government had almost ceased to function. So Boris Sturmer was appointed prime minister or President of the Council in the most critical time of war with Germany.

'An utter non-entity', groaned Michael Rodzianko, President of Duma (Parliament).

'He is worse than a mediocrity, third rate intellect, mean spirit, low character, doubtful honesty, no experience and no idea of state business. He has a rather pretty talent for cunning and flattery' - wrote Paleologue, the French ambassador. That man had been warmly recommended to the Emperor by Rasputin. There was hue and cry in every part of Russia.

The Duma regarded the appointment as a crushing humiliation, an insult to all of their work and aspiration. Rasputin and the Tsarina's next target was War Minister Polivanov. In the short time since he replaced Sukomolivov, the efficient Polivanov had worked wonders in training and equipping the army. It was due to his effort that the beaten Russian army of 1915 was able to recover and launch the great offensive of 1916. Polivanov was marked, not only by his refusal to co-operate with Rasputin, but also by his eagerness to work in co-operation with Duma. Besides he discovered that Rasputin had been supplied by Sturmer with four high-powered war office cars, too fast to be followed by the police. Polivanov sternly objected and got back all four cars. 'Get rid of Polivanov', - wrote the Tsarina to the Tsar. On March 25 1916, in the midst of the great war, Polivanov fell.

The next to go was Sazonov, the Foreign Minister. Sazonov's downfall came in July 1916. Sazonov was a cultivated man of liberal background, trusted by both English and French ambassadors.

'He is a man with whom we can do business, most trustworthy, easy to approach', - wrote Sir George Buchanan, the British ambassador. Sazonov was replaced by Sturmer, who was warmly recommended to the Emperor by Rasputin. Sazonov's guilt was that he advocated the idea of independent Poland after war. Alexandra argued 'Baby's future rights were challenged.'

The key ministry in troubled time was the Ministry of the Interior, which was responsible for the preservation of law and order, supply of food, transport etc. In October 1916 the Tsar suddenly appointed to this critical post Alexander Protopopov, who was a monomaniac. The choice was a disaster, but two persons were jubilant: the Tsarina and Rasputin, as Protopopov was the most intimate friend of Rasputin. Now Duma took the offensive against this appointment.

As Russia moved into the critical winter of 1916-1917, both the police and food supply remained in the trembling hands of Alexander Protopopov.

On one matter grand dukes, generals, members of the Duma all agreed. Rasputin had to be removed. On December 2nd, a violent speech was delivered in Duma by a member called Vladimir Purishkevitch. He was a devoted monarchist, above all he was a great patriot.

For two hours he thundered his denunciation of the 'dark forces' behind the throne, which were destroying the dynasty and Russia. An obscure moujik shall govern Russia no longer. In the visitor's box, young Prince Felix Yussoupov, married to the niece of the Tsar, promised that Rasputin must be done away.

On December 29th, Rasputin was invited to Moika Palace, where in the basement he was at first poisoned, then shot, by Prince Felix Yussopov, helped by Purishkevitch and the Tsar's cousin, the Grand Duke Dmitri.

'Rasputin's greatest crime was his delusion of the Empress Alexandra', wrote Robert K. Massie.

'On her past this can be called foolishness, superstition, blindness and ignorance. But on his part the deliberate exploitation of weakness and devotion was nothing less than monstrous evil.'