Marie felt a depressive feeling when she went into the “outer civilian world.” (Page 219) She felt she could do more to help and make a difference at the hospital, versus hearing all the complaining and critics of the Russian population. Her father “seemed to be sustained by courage, wisdom, and the power of abstract reasoning. The Crowd’s moods left him untouched. He followed attentively, though not without agitation, the unfoldment of fanatical development and the charged psychology at court.” (Page 219)
“The Empress devoted herself completely to the care of the wounded; the Emperor continually visited the front.” (Page 219) “Their lack of popularity increased while Rasputin’s influence was mounting, and the tides of gossip about him spread farther, day by day. All this talk contributed to the glorification of Rasputin, especially in the eyes of dishonest men, who sought through him to obtain important posts.” (Page 219) “On all hands, the Empress was criticized violently , and continually accused, quite unfairly, of desiring a separate peace.” (Page 219) “My aunt Ella, the Empress’s sister , was also under incessant attack. During the anti-German demonstrations in Moscow a crowd had gathered in front of her nunnery, shouting insults and threats.” (Page 219)
Marie reflected on how different the Russians were from the Swedes. The Swedes were able to maintain a balance with rhetoric, where for the Russians, their rhetoric had a “peculiar instability.” (Page 219) As Marie noted, “But Russians, in their very nature, it seems, pass quickly from the highest enthusiasm to complete dejection and distrust. They yield to their moods quite sincerely and go the whole way, entirely forgetting all moods preceding and opposite. They do not see any contradiction in such behavior; or if they do, they readily find excuses for it.” (Page 220)
Within a few months, Marie noted a dramatic change in public opinion and a loss of enthusiasm.
“ Our driving force - the tremendous rusted engine of Russian governmental life - had been set in motion at higher speeds without ever having been repaired, or even oiled. And now that it was cracking, no one seemed to know what to do. The oldest and most trusted of our leaders stood by, shaking their heads ominously. Younger men, ignorant and hopeful, hastily fitted new levers or tried to replace the old wheels with new ones. But it was no use; the engine was too old; it was falling to pieces.” (Page 220-221)
“Russian industry, headed by Moscow manufacturers, seeing the incapability of the old mechanism of the state to adjust itself to modern demands, had offered at the beginning of that summer to follow the example of the West and to mobilize itself for unified action. But in that too there seemed little hope. How could our embryonic manufactories, quickly banded together, catch up with the tremendous development of events?” (Page 221)
“Lacking machines, we had to replenish the fires of ward by and with human material. We had to throw into the struggle such tremendous masses of men that the equilibrium of the whole country was disturbed and in time destroyed.” (Page 221)
“It appeared for a while that there was a ray of hope for a more discerning attitude at the head of the government. The post of the Procurator of the Synod was given to Samarin, a clever and cultured man, respected by everybody, and devoted moreover heart and soul to the throne. And at Samarin’s insistence, this time listened to with patience, Rasputin was sent home to Siberia. Moreover, a new and more liberal Cabinet was formed and the Duma was again convoked.” (Page 221)
There were great losses. Soldiers were without rifles and artillery without ammunition. The information on Russian military moves had in the past more clear for Marie, but things changed. The information affected the population as it was affecting their judgment and feelings toward the Russian government and the Russian Imperial family. The actions taken became indirect, at times ludicrous at the delivery. Marie felt that it was dealing with shadow versus dealing more forthrightly. One example involved Rasputin who was entrusted with too a high-stakes diplomatic mission by the Empress’s bourgeoise counsellor who “worshiped” Rasputin. That was on September 2, 1915.
On the same day, Dmitri had privately spoke with the Emperor as they had always welcomed Dmitri. While the conversation was difficult for both of them, the Emperor listened to Dmitri. Dmitri had thought that he had “dissuaded” the Emperor and “all was well.” Several days later, Dmitri learned through the newspapers that the Emperor did not take his advice, as “the Emperor assumed supreme command overt he armies.” (Page 224)
Dmitri was to go to Headquarters to assume aide-de-camp duties to the Emperor. Also at that time, a political resolution was passed at the convention. In essence, a cabinet appointment to support public confidence and “re-summoning of the Duma.” (Page 225) The Emperor refused to receive the report which came by telegram. Dmitri took it and put in his room the telegram. Dmitri’s actions were based on the abruptness of the Emperor and the reaction the Emperor may receive for its rejection.
Dmitri “was transferred for a time from Headquarters, together with the Adie-de-camp Drenteln, with whom he had conferred. The delegation of the Zemstvo was not received. From that time forth, a more or less open war was waged between the Tsar and the reasoning part of the population.” (page 225)
While the Emperor had been somewhat indifferent to power, unconscious of his possession of it, he nevertheless would abide no inroads upon his absolute sovereignty. “He felt it a mystical and sacred duty to keep intact the heritage of autocracy handed down to him by the example of his masterful predecessor, Alexander III, in internal politics, and had been strengthened with time, first by those charged with his education, then by his ordinary surroundings.” (Page 225)
Marie spoke of how the Russian culture had viewed the caste system and Russia being “centuries behind the times in terms of progress, yet eternally superior.” (Page 226) The Western ideas were centered on having one class, “the intelligentsia.” (Page 226) Marie believed that Russia was on the path of “striving towards self-consciousness,” slowly. (Page 226) “Those deputies of the convention of the Zemstvo and Town Unions, headed by Prince Lvov, appeared to the Emperor as imposters, guilty of a revolutionary gesture, taking advantage of the hardships of war to interfere in what did not concern them in the least.” (Page 227) “To prevent such incidents from ever happening again, he decided at once to discharge the liberal ministers whom he had himself chosen so recently, and to return completely to the former reactionary system. To this decision the Empress gave earnest encouragement and support.” (Page 227)
The distance between the Front and Pskov narrowed. The hospital took over the school building space to place more beds for patients. Five more nurses would come and there would be no additional doctors. Marie found the more work affecting her energy. Winter 1916, Marie organized a dorm and intermediary station for nurses going to and from the front. Marie discovered many nurses came without their Red Cross documents. Many had been sent by the military commander of the railway station or by headquarters. Marie also tried to help giving girls practical experience, though many fainted at the sight of blood. It took some effort to overcome the mistakes these girls made.
Marie went to church in October and had a sharp pain. Turned out Dr. Tishin said she had dry pleurisy. Despite the discovery, that night she dressed in cotton bandages slathered with iodine under her clothing so she could have dinner with the Emperor that evening on the Imperial train. After an enjoyable lively dinner, Dmitri and Marie’s father brought Marie back to the hospital. Her father went to visit with the general, as the Emperor had not come with them back to the hospital. The Emperor stayed on the train and was reading the report from the Commander of the Northern Front. Marie noted that her father could not understand how Marie was able to withstand the conditions there. Marie loved the presence of both her brother and father, and with their height and shoulder broadness.
Her father was having some ill health. Following the visit, her father’s health improved. He began to command an army of Guards regiments and spend several months at the front. During the winter months, his health was languishing and his wife summoned him back to Tsarskoie-Selo. Marie did not want to loose her dad. He meant so much to her. Looking back years later, “I have since been sorry many times that he did not die then.”
In 1916, Marie continued wearing a grey cotton uniform and a white headdress. Her hands had become coarse, versus from the times you had used creams at home in her earlier years.
“As I look back now, indeed, I can say in full sincerity that the years I spent doing hard work were the happiest of my life. Each day brought me wider contacts, fresh impressions, new opportunity to escape from the old restrictions, and growth. Little by little, I spread my wings and tested my strength; the walls which for so long had fenced me off from reality were now finally pierced.” (Page 229)