4 April 1917. Maurice Paleologue

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

Maurice Paleologue

10, Kutuzova embankment, Petrograd, Russian Empire

The Minister of justice, Kerensky, yesterday paid a visit to Tsarkoïe-Selo to see for himself the arrangements made for guarding the ex-sovereigns. He found everything in order.

Count Benckendorff, Grand Marshal of the Court; Prince Dolgorukov, Marshal of the Court; Madame Naryschkin, Mistress of the Robes; Mlles. de Buxhoevden and Hendrikov, Maids of Honour, and the Tsarevitch's tutor, Gilliard, are sharing their monarchs' captivity. Madame Virubova. who was also residing in the Alexander Palace, has been forcibly removed and confined in the Fortress of SS. Peter and Paul---in the famous Trubetzkoï bastion.

Kerensky had a talk with the Emperor. In particular he asked him whether it were true, as the German papers have reported, that William II had frequently advised him to adopt a more liberal policy.

"Quite the reverse!" the Emperor protested. The conversation continued for some time and was marked by greatest courtesy. In fact, Kerensky ultimately succumbed to the affability which is Nicholas II's natural charm and several times caught himself addressing him as Cosoudar (Sire)!

But the Empress was as frigid as she could be.

Madame Virubova's departure has not affected her, at any rate in the way that might have been expected. After all her passionate and jealous attachment to her, she has suddenly made her responsible for all the evils which have overtaken the Russian imperial family:

La détestable Œnone a conduit tout le reste!

, and others

1 Like

Comment

✍ Also today

Nicholas II

During the night there was a storm and a lot of snow fell. The day became sunny and quiet. Olga and Tatiana went out into the air for the first time and sat around the balcony while I walked. After breakfast I worked for a long time. The youngest slept a little more and felt better. We passed all the time together.

, and others

3 Like

Comment

Leon Trotsky

Amherst concentration camp, Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada

British officers, accompanied by bluejackets, came aboard the Chrisliani- afiord and demanded, in the name of the local admiral, that I, my family, and five other passengers leave the boat. We were assured that the whole incident would be cleared up in Halifax. See more

, and others

14 Like

Comment

Georgy Lvov

Welcomes the delegation of Equal Rights for Women League

Petrograd, Russian Empire

If we’re going to have universal suffrage, what’s the rationale for preventing women who wish to participate in elections from doing so? Our electoral law is being developed. In its final form, it is contingent on the total composition of the provisional government. But I’m for the participation of women.

, and others

6 Like

Comment

Tamara Karsavina

Petrograd, Russian Empire

Like microbes on the body of a sick man, the rumours grew more numerous with every passing day; newspapers born overnight disseminated panicky information and concocted slander. How the big posters hanging in the main street escaped my attention, I don't know. In the evening the telephone rang, and an old friend anxiously asked, “Are you safe?” I couldn’t believe my ears when he told me that today’s posters featured my full name, with the words “German spy” inscribed underneath.

, and others

1 Like

Comment

Winston Churchill

London, United Kingdom

There are only two ways of winning the war, and they both begin with A. One is aeroplanes and the other is America.… Everything else is swept away.

, and others

3 Like

1 Comment

The New York Times

The wife of the former Russian Premier Boris V. Sturmer has attempted to commit suicide, according to Reuter dispatch from Petrograd. After receiving a letter, the contents of which are not known, she cut her throat. She was taken to a hospital, where she was said to be in a dangerous condition. Madam Sturmer is 60 years old.

, and others

Comment

3 April

The soldiers flee and hide. Things will be even worse in the future.

The émigré communists consider whether to accept the Germans’ offer

How the arrested emperor spends his time

From one revolution to another

Russia in 1917

1917. Zombies, drugs, and progress

Why did the Russian Empire collapse

in Petrograd

in Moscow