The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-03-06

the services of man already regarded
as an authority upon matters apper-
tanning to Russian interests in the far
East. Admiral Alexieff certainly has
served his friends. If price were
paid, uncompromising loyalty to the
war party has been returned in ex-
change. Yet, If one could inquire,
there is little doubt that no man today
is more genuinely concerned at the po-
sition in which Russian interests in
Manchuria are placed than the viceroy
of Greater Russia.
Besobrasoff's Influence.
Years of unceasing labor in the in
tereStS of Russia in the far East have
given Admiral Alexieff some right to
his position. At the moment of his ap-
pointment the choice of the czar was
denounced but if the reward were out
Of proportion to his deserts it would
be none the less a work of considerable
difficulty to find as his successor a
man with equal spirit and as compe-
tent. Admiral Alexieff has given pro-
found attention to far Eastern affairs.
His knowledge of the resources and
position of Japan is the result Of the
protracted study which he made when
military attache at Tokyo before the
Chino japanese war. Moreover, the
his dispatches are now realized; the
position of Japan has become assured,
and the menace to Russian interests
which was offered by her growing
strength now bears the fruits of the
neglect against which Admiral Alex
Jeff in the days of his attacheship
warned his government. Prior to the
Chino-Japanese war Admiral Alex
Jeff. had not won any especial dis
tinction. He was known to be fear
less officer, devoted to his profession,
and one to whom promotion had come
step by step rather than as reward
of meritorious service. Among his
brother officers he was popular, and
his superior officers held him in esteem
as a man who could be relied upon
in all circumstances to execute orders.
BY the time that affairs began to move
in the far East Admiral Alexieff's
service had become somewhat extern
sive. His appointment to Japan open
ed a way for this enterprising officer,
to which his knowledge of war and a
certain independence of judgment SEN
sibly added. His dispatches attracted
attention, and his appreciation of the
position of Japan as against the grow
ing Importance of Russian interests in
the far East caused him to become an
object of solicitude to M. Besobrasoff
at st. Petersburg At this time the
influence of M Besobrasoff was all
powerful with the car, who appeared
to be unable to disassociate himself
from the schemes of his friend. Osten-
sibly wishing for peace, M. Besobra-
soft was silently preparing the way for
war with Japan, and as Admiral Alex
Jeff steadily advanced he became an
object of material Importance to the
success of M. Besobrasoff's machina-
lions. The way once proposed, Ad-
miral Alexieff gradually succumbed to
the patronage of M. Besobrasoff, who,
soon as he was sure of his man, work.
ed through his protege to secure the
accomplishment of his plans. All this
time Admiral Alexieff was in ignor-
ance Of the duplicity which M. Beso-
brasoff was practicing, and after a
brief interval in Russia upon the con-
clusion of the operations between Chi
ma and Japan, he returned to the far
East, filling important appointments
on the Pacific station. The accidence
of the Boxer crisis, however, brought
him once again into prominence. In
deed, since the day when Japan was
compelled to evacuate Port Arthur,
fortune has never failed Admiral Alex
Jeff, and without interruption he has
passed from one post of authority to
another in the far East, until gradually
the direction of Russian affairs
throughout that region became concern
trated in his hands.
An Unconscious Victim.
This has not been without design
upon the part Of M. Besobrasoff, but
il is credible that the sinister reasons
which made his advancement impera-
tive were unknown to the viceroy. Adj
miral Alexieff was indeed the inno-
cent tool of the war party. Behind him
were a committee, of which M. Beso-
brasoff was the secretary, composed of
the two Grand Dukes Vladimir and
Alexander Mikailovitch and various
generals. The grand dukes under
stood that M. Besobrasoff was work