The Black Russian

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The Black Russian Page 32

by Vladimir Alexandrov


  21–22 rampaging mobs, political cost: Mv, May 31, 1915, 4; Dzhunkovskii, II, 59–61, 563–66. English eyewitness: Houghteling, 48. Zimmermann’s store: Al’perov, 369; Dzhunkovskii, II, 562–63. damage estimate: “Blames Germans for Riots in Russia,” NYT, Oct. 19, 1915, 3.

  23–24 war’s first anniversary, grand duke’s dismissal, Gallipoli: Merriman, 990; Riasanovsky, 466–67. Ciniselli Circus: Tg, June 7, 1915, 8. oldest building of its kind in Russia: “Sankt-Peterburg Entsiklopediia,” http://www.encspb.ru/article.php?kod=2804016386; http://petersburgcity.com/family/theatres/circus/; http://www.ruscircus.ru/glav21. auction: Tg, June 7, 1915, 8; Ti, Dec. 15, 1915, 945–46; Am, Dec. 1915, 3; March 1916, 3; Sa, Dec. 26, 1915, 19–20.

  25–26 Odessa: Baedeker, Russia, 386, 395–96. Frederick’s trips: Tk, Feb. 6, 1916, 5–6; April 2, 1916, 7; July 16, 1916, 9; July 30, 1916, 9. villa: Am, March 1917, 5.

  27–28 war’s second year: Ti, Sept. 6, 1915, 661; Ti, Sept. 13, 1915, 694; Ti, Sept. 20, 1915, 705; Am, Oct., 1915, 5; Sa, Oct. 5, 1915, 13; Sa, Dec. 25, 1915, 16; Sa, May 14, 1916, 16; Am, Oct. 1916, 2; Maksimov and Kokorev, 246–47. wartime impositions: Ti, Nov. 1, 1915, 307–8; Ti, Nov. 8, 1915, 838; Ti, Dec. 6, 1915, 919; Vt, Dec. 25, 1916, 7; Ti, Jan. 31, 1916, 95; Ti, Feb. 14, 1916, 134. Tsaritsa Alexandra: Riasanovky, 466–67; “ministerial leapfrog”: Waldron, 34.

  29–30 tango craze: Vt, Dec. 25, 1913, 10; Tg, Jan. 12, 1914, 12; Vt, Jan. 15, 1914, 4; Rzh, Feb. 23, 1914, 3; Am, March 1914, 13; Rzh, March 23, 1914, inside front cover. “kingdom of the tango”: Vt, Dec. 25, 1913, 10. “Tango of Death”: Sheremet’evskaia, 24–25; “Wilhelm’s Bloody Tango”: Jahn, 103. “Cocainomaniacs”: Vt, Dec. 25, 1915, 6. Vertinsky: Tg, Jan. 3, 1916, 7–8; Vt, Jan. 1917, 6. “Kokainetka”: Vertinsky, 78. “Hashish Tango”: Tg, March 3, 1918, 6.

  31–32 military losses, striking workers: Merriman, 1019, 1021–22; Burdzhalov, 29; Peimani, 194; Monkhouse, 51. Rasputin: Dzhunkovskii, II, 555, 563; Varlamov, 457–70; Radzinskii, 330–34. Frederick and Rasputin: deCoy, 180–83.

  33–34 “Brusilov Offensive”: Dowling, xv; Bohon, 147; Jukes, 45. shortages: Ti, Oct. 9, 1916, 829, 820. theaters packed: Sa, Jan. 10, 1916, 15. Frederick leases theaters: Ti, Jan. 10, 1916, 32; Rzh, Jan. 31, 1916, 9; Tg, April 3, 1916, 5; Rzh, April 10, 1916, 13; Tg, Jan. 1, 1917, 6; Tg, Feb. 5, 1917, 3. Frederick rewards employees: Am, Jan. 1917, 7; Ti, Jan. 1, 1917, 6; Sa, Jan. 17, 1917, 6.

  35–36 buildings purchased, previous owners: Am, March 1917, 5. “Ob otsenke vladeniia, prinadlezhashchego Brus-Tomas Fedoru Fridrikhovichu, byvshemu grazhdaninu Severo-Amerikanskikh shtatov, Sretenskoi chasti 1 uchastka No. 216/204 po Karetnomu riadu, Srednemu i Malomu Spasskim pereulkam, d. 2, 1, 2”: TsIAM, “Fond Moskovskikh gorodskikh dumy i upravy,” f. 179, op. 63, d. 12896, l. 1–4; TsANTDM, Plan vladenii kniazei Kantakuzinykh, grafov Speranskikh, f. 1, op. 13, ed. kh. 109, d. 19, l. 5 ob. “Miss Julia Grant Married,” NYT, Sept. 25, 1899, 7. 425,000 rubles: by Feb. 12, 1917, the exchange rate had dropped from 2 to 3.3 rubles to the dollar: Houghteling, 25.

  Chapter Six

  1–2 February Revolution, “hardly a whimper”: Merriman, 1022–30; Riasanovsky, 505–8.

  3–4 Moscow demonstrations: Sack, 235–36; Pisar’kova, 583. “Liberty Parade,” men of property endangered: Houghteling, 174–78; Rieber, 405; Okunev, 19. “Order Number One”: Kenez, History, 18–19; Merriman, 1026–27.

  5–6 Moscow theatrical life: Dadamian, 161; Tg, March 12, 1917, 6, 9. Merchant of the First Guild: TsIAM, Fond moskovskoi kupecheskoi upravy, “O prichislenii v kupechestvo byvshego severo-amerikanskogo poddanogo Fedora-Fridrikha Tomasa s docher’iu Ol’goiu” (1917 god), f. 3, op. 4, d. 4678, ll. 1–3. Frederick’s designation: Rieber, 13, 36, 87, 124; Ul’ianova and Shatsillo, 20.

  7–8 calamitous historical events: Merriman, 1030–33; Riasanovsky, 508–11. Frederick and Moscow Soviet: Tg, Sept. 17, 1917, 5; Az, Oct. 1, 1917, 12; Rzh, Oct. 8, 1917, 9; Tg, Oct. 17, 1917, 10. Frederick first to align himself: Tg, Oct. 25, 1917, 10. Maxim leased: Tg, Sept. 24, Oct. 17, 1917, 1; Rzh, Oct. 1, 22, 1917, inside front cover.

  9–10 Bolsheviks strike: Riasanovsky, 511–12, 528; Merriman, 1033–37; “The Fall of Kerensky,” 305; Pitcher, 238-39. Englishman: Monkhouse, 61.

  11–12 November 10 and 20, horrified city dweller: Okunev, 99–100, 104, 106; Van Riper, 176–78. Kremlin damaged: Rzh, Nov. 19, 1917, 7; Okunev, 106. American described: Van Riper, 183. anxious time: Monkhouse, 62. Maxim’s old repertory: Rzh, Oct. 8, 22, Nov. 19, Dec. 3, 16, 1917, inside front cover; Jan. 1918, 1. Aquarium’s high-minded fare: Tg, Nov. 21, 1917, 6.

  13–14 Bolshevik cease-fire, Brest-Litovsk: Riasanovsky, 528–29; Merriman, 1037. American visitor, Bolsheviks hated Americans: Van Riper, 177, 182.

  15–16 Valli’s lover: Frederick to Ravndal, American Consul General, Constantinople, 10 May 1921, CPI 337. Germans in Odessa: Papers Relating, 1918, 676. Frederick’s application denied, permission for Elvira: Sackett. Frederick’s acquaintance: Dunn, 421. Frederick’s near-murder: Frederick to Ravndal, 10 May 1921, ibid. (Frederick’s spelling preserved). revision of family laws: The Marriage Laws, 5, 42, 36, 55. Frederick divorces, remarries: TT, Frederick to Ravndal, 10 May 1921, ibid.

  17–18 Whites: Riasanovsky, 532. anarchist groups: Okunev, 168. Russians hoped Germans would occupy: “Making Allies Out of Enemies,” Independent, May 31, 1919, 312; Kenez, Civil War 1918, 162. Frederick’s maneuvers: Rzh, Feb. 19/6, 1918, 6–7, 1, 10; Tg, March 3, 1918, 3. Frederick’s new lease, Evelinov: Ti, Jan. 14, 1918, 24; Sa, Jan. 23, 1918, 2; Tg, Jan. 28, 1918, 3; Rzh, Feb. 1918, 1; Ti, Feb. 17, 1918, 50; April 21/8, 1918, 129. Frederick’s hopes unrealized: Rzh, Feb. 1918, 1; Tg, March 3, 1918, 3; Rzh, March 30/17, 1918, 2, 11; Kazansky, 110. Aquarium situation ends badly: Sa, Feb. 15, 1918, 4, 12; Ti, Feb. 17, 1918, 50; Rzh, Feb. 21/6, 1918, 9; Ti, May 5/22, 1918, 148–49. prohibition against “bourgeois” farces: Ti, May 5/22, 1918, 148–49, 150. classical ballet: Rzh, June 2/May 20, 1918, 8.

  19–20 Bolsheviks’ changes: McMeekin, 35–38; Riasanovsky, 529–30; “The People’s Commissariat of Finance,” 219. property expropriated: Okunev, 160.

  21–22 robberies: Okunev, 138, 164. police ineffective: Klement’ev, 5. Sukhodolsky: Tg, March 3, 1918, 6; about the Sukhodolsky brothers’ business dealings with Aquarium, see Rzh, May 4, 1914, 10. bank seizures, $100 billion to $150 billion: McMeekin, 17, 19, 20–21, 50. Tsarev in Kiev: Rzh, June 29/16, 1918, 8. June announcement of ban on theater middlemen: Tg, June 9, 1918, 6; Kazansky, 120. cholera: Okunev, 202. Socialist Revolutionaries: Holquist, 168–69. Nicholas II murdered: Okunev, 202. Frederick’s remaining livelihood: Sackett. “sackers” (“meshochniki”): Ponafidine, 101; Okunev, 150; Dolgorukov, 103–4.

  23–24 Frederick’s escape: Valli to State Department, Jan. 16, 1921, DV; Sackett. cost of a passport, German behavior at border: Dolgorukov, 113–16. trains blocked: Klement’ev, 6. conditions on trains, pillaged stations, young women in danger: Kostrova, 20–26.

  25–26 American entering German territory: by analogy with an Englishman, see White, 298. Austrian and German occupation, Bolshevik guerrilla warfare: White, 300; Bagge to Clark, February 4, 1919, FO 371/3963. Bolsheviks throw open prisons: Tumanov, 69. prominent lawyer: Margulies, 159. Frederick in newspapers: Savchenko, 196, and e-mail from Boris A. Savchenko, May 2, 2010. feast in time of plague: Tumanov, 68–70; Lobanov-Rostovsky, 330. Moscow entrepreneurs, performers: Savchenko, 195–96; Utesov, 78–79. private banks: Xydias, 301–2; Gurko, 147; Jenkins to USSS, 22 April 1919, CP Odessa, box 1, RG 84.

  27–28 excited crowds: White, 309. magnificently equipped army, exotic appearance of soldiers: Kantorovich, 254–55, 259, 261–62; Brygin, 432; Xydias, 186; Silverlight, 107; Munholland, 55. Estimates of the number of troops vary from thirty thousand to eighty thousand. Allied troops around Odessa: Lobanov-Rostovsky, 329; Kantorovich, 258–59. French occupation invigorated Odessa: tumanov, 78–79. speculators busy, situation deteriorates: Papers Relating, 1919, 751–54; Munholland, 49–50, 53; Xydias, 261–62.

  Chapter Sevenr />
  1–2 Galata quay, Pera Palace Hotel, Frederick and Codolban: Bareilles, 4; http://www.perapalace.com/en-EN/history/64.aspx; Kazansky, 120–22.

  3–4 Pera’s mixed population: Constantinople To-Day, 18; Criss, 21. Frederick saw similarities: Kazansky, 122. soundscape, “Allahu Akbar”: http://islam.about.com/cs/prayer/f/adhan_english.htm. city’s noise and appearance: Armstrong, 72–73; Frank G. Carpenter, “Colorful Life Along the Bosporus,” LAT, April 13, 1924, J11, J22. Armstrong: Armstrong, 73–74. Galata Bridge, Stambul: “Turk Capital Inert Under Enemy Rule,” NYT, June 26, 1922, 18; “City of Minarets and Mud,” NYT, Nov. 5, 1922, 4, 13; “Constantinople, Where East Met West,” AC, Aug. 5, 1923, 21; Carpenter, above; Reshid, 75, 86–87; Dwight, 4–10, 14, 16–17; Andreev, 192.

  5–6 Allied occupation: Shaw, I, 144–45. dismember Ottoman Empire: Criss, 1, 8–9, 14; Zürcher, 138–39, 145–46, 149–53. foreigners in Pera: “British Constantinople,” NYT, June 19, 1921, 35.

  7 Turks on race: For this information I am indebted to Dr. András J. Riedlmayer, Documentation Center of the Aga Khan Program at the Fine Arts Library, Harvard University, e-mail Aug. 6, 2010. no special word for “Negro”: Redhouse, 217. Baldwin: Campbell, 210.

  8–9 little Western entertainment: Teffi, 566; Editorial, ON, Aug. 14, 1919, 1. a few European-style establishments: e.g., advertisements: CM, Nov. 10, 1918, 2; Dec. 18, 1918, 335; March 22, 1919, 340; April 6, 1919, 341; S, Nov. 22, Dec. 13, 1918, 4; ES, March 22, May 2, 1919, 2; Galata port area, traditional Turkish habits: Constantinople To-Day, 356–57, 261–63; Armstrong, 74; Teffi, 567. moneylenders, usurious interest: Rue to Bristol, Aug. 24, 1923, DPT 470. Reyser and Proctor: Note by Burri, Nov. 26, 1920, CPI 327. 3,000 Turkish pounds: the sum paid by a new partner for Reyser and Proctor’s half share (Note by Burri, above). The exchange rate from 1920 to 1922 was approximately seventy American cents to one Turkish pound: ON, Dec. 1, 1920, 3; March 11, 1921, 3; Feb. 7, 1922, 3. Ltqs: common abbreviation for “livres turques,” French for “Turkish pounds.” Proctor, “top limey spy,” “political whispering gallery”: Gilbert, 47–48; Mackenzie, First Athenian, 331–33; Mackenzie, My Life,119–20; Rowan, 147; Dunn, 282–83, 288, 299, 420; Lawford, 130; White, 317.

  10–11 “Anglo-American Garden Villa,” “Stella Club”: ES, June 14, 1919. empty lot, Chichli: Pervititch map. old shade trees: “Spectacles et Concerts,” S, June 17, 1920, 3. mini Aquarium: Zia Bey, 158. Morfessi, 150, describes the rival garden that he opened in 1920; it probably shared generic features. “Stella Club” on second floor: ES, June 14, 1919, 2. opening on June 24, 1919: advertisement, ON, 4. “Friends of the Salonica Army,” “Moscow Maitre d’hôtel”: ON, July 20, 27, 1919, 4. weather problems: ON, Sept. 19, 1919, 3. unique combination: advertisements, ON, July 20, Aug. 12, 1919, 4; Sept. 7, 1919, 3.

  12 first jazz: ON, Aug. 31, 1919, 3; ON, Sept. 23, 1919, 4. Villa a success: ON, Sept. 27, 1919, 1; ON, Oct. 31, 1919, 3; Nov. 13, 1919, 3.

  13–14 passport, Allen a Kentuckian: Register, 1922, 86; “The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Allen, C to D,” http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/allen2.html#0XZ1CO0HD. Frederick’s forms and what happened to them: DF. Frederick’s invented sister: Frederick never mentioned her again to American authorities. Paris hospitable: Lloyd, 75–76, 87ff. Constantinople newspapers on American racial policies: ON, June 19, 1920, 2; March 30, 1921, 3; “La question nègre aux États-Unis,” B, Oct. 20, 1921, 1. Frederick and Philippines: “Many Ugly Women Still Retain Veil,” CDM, Aug. 13, 1926, 2.

  15–16 high prices: “Turk Capital Inert Under Enemy Rule,” NYT, June 26, 1922, 18. Capitulations: Constantinople To-Day, 95–96, 329–30. Matakias: DPT 403. Ravndal’s past: Register, 1922, 170. Mendelino, Bulgarian (Bochkarov), baker: CPI 320, DPT 412. another man: CPI 327. French firm (Huisman): CPI 327. Ravndal’s admonishment: to Frederick, Dec. 19, 1919, CPI 320.

  17–18 search for Olga: DPT 411. Royal Dancing Club: ON, Jan. 20, 24, 25, 29, 30, Feb. 6, 11, 20, March 6, 1920, 3. baccarat; Bertha’s Bar: Gilbert, 47–48.

  19–20 Frederick’s relations with Bertha and Reyser: ON, May 13, 1919, 3, lists Bertha’s Bar; the following day it is gone: B, May 14, 1920, 4; notes and correspondence: CPI 327. Frederick to Ravndal; Elvira’s help: ibid.

  21–22 martial law: Criss, 2, 16, 65, 71; Shaw, II, 808, 829–31; Zürcher, 142. Wrangel: Kenez, Civil War South, 1977, 261, 265–67; S, April 7, 1920, 2. Pera’s Russian restaurants: ON, April 2, 1920, 4; April 30, 1920, 2; March 6, 1920, 4. Strelna: Morfessi, 66, 147–52.

  23–24 “dame serveuse”: Mannix, 27. Caucasian jackets, “agents of vice,” British ambassador’s letter, cartoon: Mansel, 398–99. Baudelaire: ON, Oct. 21, 1920, 2. soubrettes: Murat, 70. tourist from Duluth: DNT, Oct. 22, 1922, 12. Russian officer kissing waitress’s hand: S, June 10, 1920, 2. Murat: Murat, 76.

  25–26 Zia Bey: Zia Bey, 154–60.

  27–28 insinuations about Frederick: Rue to Bristol, Aug. 24, 1923, DPT 470. gala evenings for waitresses: ON, April 4, 1922, 3. charity festival: S, July 20, 1920, 4; ON, July 23, 28, 1920, 2.

  29–30 new creditors, Allen’s and Ravndal’s tone, Zavadsky: CPI 327, DPT 412. Valli resurfaces: Wheeler to USSS, July 18, 1920, Central Decimal File, 361.11/3465, RG 59. Valli in Berlin: CPI 326, 337, 352. Valli’s application for passport, related correspondence, Berlin consul, no record of Valli’s application: DV. life in Berlin: “Exchange Decline Depresses Berlin.” NYT, Sept. 17, 1920, 26. Valli’s letters to American consulate general and British embassy: CPI, 326, 337; FO 782/15, Correspondence Register, British Embassy, Constantinople, Nov. 16, 1921; Jan. 9, 23, 1922; Feb. 20, 1922. “I request you to indicate”: CPI 326.

  Chapter Eight

  1–2 Wrangel’s evacuation, refugees: Petrosian, 162–72; Russkaia armiia, 7–9; Ippolitov, 6–26; Andreev, 191–228. makeshift housing, employment, money changers: Slobodskoi, 80–90; Andreev, 173, 175, 187, 193–96. officers sell medals: ON, July 24, 1921, 2. Dos Passos: Dos Passos, 13. high culture: Deleon, 66–67. Alhambra Theater: S, Nov. 20, 22, 26, 27, Dec. 2, 1920, 3. Frederick’s meals: Argus.

  3–4 pneumonia: ON, Dec. 14, 1920, 2. passport application, Allen’s statement: DF. diplomats documented past: CPI 327. Quinlan to Easley, Carr’s response: DF; Department of State Personnel, 30, 31, 25.

  5–6 Valli’s documents: DV. Ravndal and “your husband,” “your wife in Germany,” Frederick’s letter: CPI 337; I preserve his spelling. “free-love companion”: DF.

  7–8 Olga: CPI 337; CP Paris 837; Paris Police Prefecture Archives, telephone inquiry, Dec. 16, 2007. Elvira’s outfits: CPI 338. American tourist: Sackett. English-language schools: British school, ON, Aug. 24, 1920, 3; Bowen School for Boys, ON, April 1, 1921, 4; American School for Boys, B, Aug. 21, 1921, 3. Mikhail in Prague: Interview, Nov. 8, 2006.

  9–10 victories at Sakarya, Kemal as field marshal, “Gazi”: Cleveland, 177–78; Hanioğlu, 127; Lewis, 253–54. Frederick’s situation improves: CPI 339, 354. new passport application, Burri’s assessment: DF; there are mistakes on the form. Burri a New Yorker: http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/burrage-burrowes.html.

  11–12 Vertinsky: ON, Oct. 2, 1921, 3. New venture, Maxim: B, Nov. 21, 1921, 2; Karay, 104–5; Hildebrand, 280; Argus. “very special amusement”: ON, Oct. 8, 1921, 2; JO, Dec. 18, 1921, 3. Carter: CPI 344. “greatest artistic event”: B, Nov. 21, 1921, 2.

  13–14 “Thomas, the founder,” “heart of gold”: Sperco, 144. less worldly Turk: Karay, 104–5. Adil: Adil, 8–10. I am indebted to Dr. András J. Riedlmayer, of the Documentation Center of the Aga Khan Program at the Fine Arts Library, Harvard University, for calling Karay’s and Adil’s recollections of Maxim to my attention, and especially for his kindness in translating them into English (I have rephrased his translations).

  15–16 “going very well”: CPI 354. Valli bombards diplomats: CPI 352; Valli about Frederick to British embassy, Constantinople, Feb. 14, 1922, FO 782/15. merchants’ complaints: CPI 338, 354. provision in Carter contract: CPI 344. crime: Zia Bey, 159; “Turk Capital
Inert Under Enemy Rule,” NYT, June 26, 1922, 18; “Constantinople Crime City,” WP, Oct. 24, 1920, 66. Ravndal’s watch: CPI 320. Italian count: Reynolds, 52. cocaine addicts: B, Aug. 26, 1921, 2.

  17–18 State Department’s review of passport application, Randolph’s letter, Randolph informs Berlin, Carr: CPI 348. Department of State Personnel, 25. Dunn: Dunn 420–21; “He Knew the Country,” Kingston (New York) Daily Freeman, Oct. 24, 1922, 3.

  19–20 American tourists: ON, March 2, 3, 8, April 2, 1922, 2; Beatty, 705–6. Farson: Farson, 442–43. Mrs. Lila Edwards Harper: “Constantinople Cafe Owned by Southern Negro,” Columbus (Georgia) Daily Enquirer, Oct. 7, 1922, 7; spelling normalized.

  21–22 Mannix: Mannix, 275.

  23–24 Adil, “Champion Osman”: Adil, 37–38. I am indebted to Dr. András J. Riedlmayer, of the Documentation Center of the Aga Khan Program at the Fine Arts Library, Harvard University, for calling my attention to this source, and especially for his kindness in translating it into English (I have rephrased his translation).

  25–26 “as wicked as you like”: Mannix, 270; Vertinsky’s “La Rose Noire”: Duke, 77. camel fights: ON, March 4, 1922, 3. procession of sultan, dervishes: Dwight, 304–7; Sperco, 87, 113; Mannix 271–73. cockroach races: “Tarakan’i bega,” Zarnitsy, May 8–15, 1921, 28–29.

  Chapter Nine

  1–2 Turkish offensive: Lewis, 253–54. Bristol’s memorandum: Sept. 23, 1922: Hoover, Frank Golden Papers, box 36, file 15, Turkey/Americans in Constantinople; CPI 472. 650 Americans: “List of Americans in Constantinople,” Nov. 15, 1922, Pence, MSS 144, box 7, folder 7. Mehmet VI: Zürcher, 142; Lewis, 251–53, 257–59.

 

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