Visit of Grand Duchess Cyril is Regarded As Important Move in International Plan

The visit of Grand Duchess Cyril to the United States has caused much discussion and speculation in internationally well informed circles here. The Grand Duchess has received assurance from influential circles in the United States of financial assistance for Grand Duke Cyril, it was stated here today. Money for the “Russian Relief Fund” an organization controlled by Russian monarchists has, according to assertions made here, already been raised in the United States.

Much surprise is expressed at the ease with which prominent members of American society lend themselves as tools to this plot of the Russian Monarchists of whose ramifications and political intrigues they are unaware. This is attributed to the weakness which has become almost proverbial, which Americans display toward European nobility, enabling many political and even low grade adventurers to gain access to the highest American circles and exploit them unscrupulously for their political and financial ends.

The fact that bearers of the best names in America will surround the Grand Duchess upon her arrival and will, for a handshake, lend their influence and money to aid a dangerous political scheme is considered as a manifestation of the ignorance and light-heartedness which Americans display in dealing with European political affairs.

The American public does not seem to be aware of the fact that the claim of the Grand Duke Cyril to the Russian throne is not only disputed by the Grand Duke Nikolaievitch, but that the number of his followers is extremely limited. According to the belief of those who have followed the Russian monarchist movement closely during the last few years, Grand Duke Cyril himself is a tool in an intricate international political scheme which has curiously enough the sympathy of the Bolshevik government, the Pope and the Jesuitic order. It was not an accident that the only power to recognize the Grand Duke Cyril’s claim to the Russian throne was the Vatican. The Pope has done so not because he is in favor of the re-establishment of the Czaristic rule in Russia but because the proclamation of Grand Duke Cyril of Russia has split the Russian monarchistic ranks thus reducing the possibility of the return of the Czaristic rule in Russia.

The Vatican realizes that in case Grand Duke Cyril’s plan should succeed he would not be recognized by the followers of the Greek Orthodox Church as the supreme head, as according to the geneology of the Romonoffs he is not entitled to succession to the Czarist throne. According to the views held by the Greek Orthodox Church, only the legitimate heir to the throne is recognized as the head of the Greek Orthodox Church.

The Pope wants to be the only and supreme religious ruler of the Christian church in the world and he prefers either the present situation or the election of a man who, while changing Russia into a monarchy again, would fail to become the head of the Greek Orthodox Church. It is, therefore, not surprising that relations between Rome and Moscow, as is known, have not been unfriendly. A Papal mission some time ago was sent into Russia. The policy of the Vatican in this regard has been inspired by the Jesuit order and its powerful head, Liado Trofsky. It is this order, with its four hundred branches in every part of the world, that has promoted the ambiguous policy of maintaining not unfriendly relations with the Bolshevik government and simultaneously recognizing the claim of Grand Duke Cyril. Rome will use Grand Duke Cyril as a threat, should the Bolsheviks become difficult.

Further complicating the situation in some circles it is thought that the Bolsheviks are indirectly and secretly supporting Grand Duke Cyril. They also desire to split the monarchistic ranks and are interested in promoting friction among the Russian monarchistic ranks to destroy their strength.

Into this political intrigue, with all its intricacies, dangers, and far reaching possibilities, influential and rich Americans enter and lend their names and money to promote a plan which, if carried out, will cause a new upheaval, whose retroactions cannot be foreseen, and might prove detrimental to the peace of Europe and the whole world. Everyone who is familiar with the situation in Russia realizes that any violent overthrowal would have its first and immediate result in massacres of tens of thousands of Jews.

Regardless of the fact as to whether the diagnosis of the situation is right or wrong, doubt is expressed here that Americans of prominence will allow themselves to become involved in a political plot for the sake of social contact with a Russian Grand Duchess.

The ridicule in which American ignorance of European conditions and exaggerated social ambitions is held here is only overshadowed by the chagrin felt that their financial assistance might lend importance to the political machinations of a group which today is without power and which will, without financial backing from the United States, remain an obscure part of the intricate European political intrigues.

Surprise is expressed here that a number of socially porminent Americans have formed a group in New York called the “Monday Opera Supper Club” which has become the center of all activities in favor of Grand Duke Cyril. They are surprised that such prominent names as Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt, Mrs. George Gordon Battle, Mrs. G. Borden Harriman, Mrs. Robert Lansing, are among the members of this club. It is learned that Brazul and Spiridovitch are linked with this monarchy restoration scheme and that these two anti-Semitic agitators have for months prepared the ground for the arrival of the Grand Duchess Cyril, and have done their best to insure the success of her mission.

A performance in the Yiddish Art Theatre will be given to-night in honor of Mr. B. Gorin, well-known critic and historian of the Yiddish stage. The performance was arranged by a committee of which writers, actors and communal workers are members.

Mr. Gorin is the author of the play which will be produced in his honor.