The record-union., 1896-11-29
The Emperors Sole Confident the Grand
Duke Michael.
The Car Practically His Own rinis-
ter, the r1embers of His Cabinet
Being rlerely Such in Name Re-
ceives Reports Directly From the
Different Departments and Die.
tates Replies Without Consulting
Anyone Except Subordinate Of
ficials.

BERLIN, Nov. 2S.-Nothing attract
ing current notice is so greatly interest
ing in official and diplomatic circles in
Berlin as the advices which are being
received from St. Petersburg announc-
ing the action of the Car in seizing
Independent control Of both the internal
and external policies of Russia since
the return of his majesty from his tour
Of the continent. Whether he has been
inspired by the example set by the EN-
peror Of Germany, beginning with the
dismissal of Prince Bismarck from the
Imperial Chancellorship, or whether ne
is striking out on his own line, it is
hard to say but the one thing certain
is that he has initiated an entire change
in the administration of affairs of the
Russian empire, and the officials whose
functions are usurped by their imperial
master, and whose influence correctly
appears to be on the wane, are against
the innovation.
Every day the Car receives reports
directly from the Foreign and other de-
partments, and dictates his replies
thereto without consulting anyone ex-
cept the subordinate officials of those
whose opinions he does not ask. Neither
does his majesty solicit the opinions
of the Russian Embassador to Con-
stantinople, who is now in ST. Peters
burg, Count Vorontzoff- -Dashkoff, NJ
Shishkin or any other of the competi-
tors for the succession to the late
Prince Lobanoff Rostovsky in the office
of Minister of Foreign Affairs. In
deed, the Emperor's sole confidan.
seems to be his great uncle, the Grand
Duke Michael, the last surviving son of
the Emperor Nicholas /.
In accordance with the suggestion of
the Grand Duke Michael. who is aid-de-
camp General to the Czar and Presi-
dent Of the Council of the Empire, as
the German Embassy at ST. Petersburg
learns, the whole Russian administra-
ton is to be reformed. In carrying out
the reorganization the Grand Duke
Michael himself proposes to resign his
position as President of the Council of
| the Empire in favor Of the Grand Duke
Vladimir, who will relinquish his COM
mand of the Imperial Guards. The
Grand Duke Sergius is to be trans
ferred from the Governorship of Mos
COW to the command of the guards, in
place of his brother, the Grand Duke
Vladimir, the appointment being at
tributed to the influence of the CZarina,
whose sister is the wife Of the Grand
Duke Sergius. In addition to these
changes, the Grand Duke Alexander
Micha aelovitch is to be appointed to an
important naval command.
Among the changes outside of the
imperial family, General Kuropatky Is
| mentioned for the command Of the i'm
perial troops in the Caucasus. and
General Dragamoroff for transfer to
Warsaw as Military Governor of that
department. NJ. Delanyoff is also to
retire from the head of the Ministry Of
Public Instruction, and will be sue
ceeded by Nj. De Sabeler, who until re-
Gently has been acting as Secretary to
! NJ. Poibienosts, the Procurator of the
| Holy Synod.
In regard to the leading Ministry of
the Russian Empire, the Imperial
Chancellorship Minister of Finance,
Minister of Foreign Affairs and the 9TH
ers. it does not matter whether they are
filled by NJ. Nelidoff, Count Vorontzoff
Dashkoff or any other of the shining
lights of Russian politics and state
own Minister, and the others will be
merely such in name. This upheaval
in the Russian administration excites
the greatest interest here, and has alb
solute appreciation in court quarters.
The strike of the dock laborers in
Hamburg and Bremen is interesting the
German people much less than it inter-
| ests the people of the foreign countries.
This feeling is largely due to the knowl-
edge of the home public that strike agi-
tations are futile, in face Of the legisia-
tive restrictions, as under the law Of
Germany an International federation of
workingmen is illegal, and the police
are empowered to seize circulars and
dissolve meetings, and also to sum-
marily expel foreigners concerned in
such agitation.
The demands which are being made
by some Of the English papers for
recognition Of claims for indemnity on
the part of Tom Mann, the English la
Dor agitator, on account Of his expulsion
from Hamburg the other day. are sheer
nonsense. The expulsion of Ben Tillet,
ar English labor leader, some time ago
was not made the subject Of English
diplomatic protest. although the Eng
lish papers have asserted that it was.
The London Foreign Office knew better
than to give the matter Official notice.
The German shippers are taking the
strike very pluckily. and are confident
that 1t Will not materially injure the
flow Of trade.
A special Bourse Committee has been
appointed to watch the operations OF
the new Bourse laws limiting time deals,
etc. The agrarians are finding that the
laws restricting deals In grain are af-
fecting agrarian interests injuriously,
and Count Won Arnim, at the head Of
a representative deputation Of agrari-
ans, met the special Bourse Committee
a few days ago to discourse the situa-
tion in regard to operations In grain on
the Bourse. In the course of the con-
ference Count Won Arnim became in
volved In q severe alteration with the
ice.mmitfeo which resented Tho iutorfor.