SAINT PETERSBURG (Rooters agency), 5 January 1917 – Tsar Nicholas II announced his “imperial joy” at the unexpected recovery of his Imperial Advisor Grigori Rasputin, who was injured in an assassination attempt last week.

Tsarina Alexandra joined the Tsar in expressing thanks to God “for saving the Saint Rasputin” from the threat of death.

Tsar Nicholas said, “After Grigori saved our son Tsarevich Alexei Nikolaevich from his dangerous illness, we knew that God Almighty was on his side and would protect him from serious harm. We can now return to commanding our Imperial Troops on the German front, confident that our Empire will remain peaceful and well governed.”

Imperial Advisor Rasputin thanked the Tsar and his Consort for their kind wishes. “Under their Imperial guidance, I will continue fighting to make the Empire grate again.”