Czarowitch Now Has Peritonitis.

New York Times 100 years ago today, October 25, 1912:
St. Petersburg Rumor That His Condition Is Not the Result of an Accident.
CZAR'S CAPTAIN A SUICIDE
Commander of Imperial Yacht, on Which Mishap to Heir to Throne Occurred, Shoots Himself.
By Marconi Transatlantic Wireless Telegraph to The New York Times.
[Dispatch to The London Daily Mail.]
    ST. PETERSBURG, Friday, Oct. 25. 1 A.M.— The condition of the Czar's son remains serious. Prayers for his recovery continue throughout Russia.
    His Imperial Highness is now suffering from peritonitis.
    It is impossible to ascertain the real cause of his illness. I give with all reserve a rumor that the "accident" was not caused by his own act.
    Rear-Admiral Chagin, commander of the imperial yacht Standart, committed suicide at 6 o'clock yesterday morning with a rifle. The barrel was filled with water, and the force of the discharge almost separated the head from the body.
    One report attributes the suicide to a love affair. Another is that the reason for the Admiral's death was of a grave political nature.
    Current rumors, however, attribute the Admiral's suicide to remorse over the illness of the Czarowitch Alexis, which is reported to have been the result of an accident while the little Prince was on board the Standart. It is said that the Prince injured himself while imitating sailors diving, although it is positively affirmed that he slipped and fell in his bath.
    It is reported to-night that a lady for whom Admiral Chagin had vainly waited, arrived later, and, finding him dead, also committed suicide.
    Admiral Chagin spent the previous night in writing letters to relatives. He left a note on the table saying: "I ask that no one shall be accused of my death."
    He was a great favorite with the royal family. He led the Russian naval detachment in the relief of Peking and commanded the cruiser Almaz at the battle of Tsushima.