The Hawaiian Star on Alexandra's mental health, year 1908

Source:

The Hawaiian Star, published in Honolulu, Oahu on February 19, 1908

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82015415/1908-02-19/ed-1/seq-3/#date1=1894&sort=relevance&rows=20&words=Czarina+CZARINA&searchType=basic&sequence=0&index=16&state=&date2=1918&proxtext=Czarina&y=14&x=13&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=2

The article:

CZARINA MENTALLY AFFECTED

ST. PETERSBURG, FEB. 8. — Despite the efforts that are made to prevent the publication of alarmist reports concerning the Czarina's real condition, sad news filters through to the people from court circles. Both mental and physical ills are believed to be afflicting Her Majesty, who is described as "the wreck of her former self."

Although the official statement is made that the Czarina's real malady is a stubborn attack of influenza, following a weakening attempt at "banting," the popular explanation is that the Czarina is in a state of great nervous depression. She has lost all interest in the outside world and has ceased to take any pride in her personal appearance.

The Czarina refuses to move from St. Petersburg, in obedience to the strong advice of her medical attendants. The court physicians are extremely disquieted by her obstinacy, for they realize that something must be done to get her away from the depressing atmosphere of the court to some sunny retreat in the South.

Both the Czar and Czarina have largely abandoned the freedom of movement in which they formerly indulged, disregarding to a great extent the police precautions for their safety. The Czar frequently rode out from Tsarskoe Selo beyond the protection zone, chatted with peasants by the road side, and so on. Similarly the Czarina delighted to escape from official supervision occasionally and to go out shopping like an ordinary woman. But in her present low state of health and spirits she has given up these outings. In their place the Czarina takes a mild interest in physical matters and has attended the seances at court promoted by the Grand Duchess Melissa, wife of the Czar's cousin, the Grand Duke Peter Nicolaievitch.