4 April 1917. Pierre Gilliard

Non-fiction

Project 1917 is a series of events that took place a hundred years ago as described by those involved. It is composed only of diaries, letters, memoirs, newspapers and other documents

Pierre Gilliard

Alexander Palace, Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

Wednesday, April 4th.—Alexis Nicolaevitch related to me yesterday’s conversation between Kerensky and the Czar and Czarina. The whole family was collected in the apartment of the Grand-Duchesses. Kerensky entered and introduced himself, saying:

“I am the Procurator-General, Kerensky”

Then he shook hands all round. Turning to the Czarina, he said:

“The Queen of England asks for news of the ex- Czarina.”

Her Majesty blushed violently. It was the first time that she had been addressed as ex-Czarina. She was troubling her as usual. Kerensky went on:

“Anything I begin I always carry through to the bitter end, with all my might. I wanted to see everything myself, to verify everything so as to be able to report at Petrograd, and it will be better for you.”

He then asked the Czar to go with him into the next room as he wished to speak to him in private. He went in first and the Czar followed. After his departure, the Czar told us that no sooner were they alone than Kerensky said to him:

“You know I’ve succeeded in getting the death penalty abolished?... I’ve done this in spite of the fact that a great number of my comrades have died, martyrs to their convictions.”

Was he trying to make a display of his magnanimity, and insinuating that he was saving the Czar’s life though the latter had done nothing to deserve it? He then spoke of our departure, which he still hopes to be able to arrange. When? Where? How? He did not know himself, and asked that the matter should not be discussed. This has been a hard blow for Alexis Nicolaievitch. He has not yet realised their new situation. It was the first time he had seen his father receive orders and obey like a subordinate. It is worthy of note that Kerensky arrived at the palace in one of the Czar’s private cars, driven by a chauffeur from the Imperial garage.

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