Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-04-20
IN. C0REA.
Now Said That the Japanese
Have Absolute Control.
Matters Being Rapidly Pushed on
Land and Sea.
Alexieff Wants to Bs Relieved from
His Position.

! Shanghai, April 19.-Noon-Authentic
| advices from Seoul dated the 18th in
| slant, declare that the Japanese are I'm
| complete control of Korea and that the
RUSSIAN scouting parties have retired
| across the Yalu before the japanese
who occupied Win practically without
resistance.
Inc japanese army is divided into
Two forces. one for expeditionary pur-
! poses and the other for occupation. The
former numbering 5000. is advancing
10 the falu and the latter consisting M
lo,ooO rcseryists, Is making far sighted
communication arrangements with the
headquarters at Seoul where there Ia 4
| garrison of 1000. The headquarters az
the transport service is at Chemulpos
Railroad building and road grading
are progressing rapidly. The fortifca-
ton OF KcSedo island at the mouth II
Masampo harbor. which protects the
southern terminus Of overland CONF
munication. also guards the passage to
Vladivostok and Port Arthur through
Broughton Strait. Forty transports OF
Hai1u are supposed to have landed parl
Of their forces at Tatushan and il 10
the evident intention to disembark A
second army at Yongampho prepara-
tory 10 forcing the Yalu.
st. Petersburg. April 19-viceroy
Alexieff has applied by telegraph 10
the Emperor to be relieved of his posi-.
ton as viCeroy In the Far East. II IA
expected that the request will be i'm.
mediately granted.
While no official announcement has
yet been made. there is reason TO be-
lievc that the above statement is cor
rect.
The immediate cause of the viceroy's
application is reported to be the APP
pointment of Vice Admiral Skrydloff,
one of Admiral Alexieff's strongest enc
mics and sharpest critics as successor
to the late Vice Admiral Makaroff. in
command of the Russian navy In the
Far East.
Vice Admiral Skrydloff had an inter-
view with the Emperor, today. ana
discussed with His Majesty the matter
of Viceroy Alexieff's relations with
himself
When the Petropavlovsk was sunk.
Alexieff started from Mukden for Port
Arthur. telegraphing to the Emperor on
his arrival there that he had hoisted his
flag on the battleship Sevastopol and
would direct the operations of the fleet
until n new commander was sent out.
1t is said that no answer to this was
sent by His Majesty. Without consult
ing Alexieff's wishes and without con-
sidering Vice Admiral Doubaassoff,
whom he had originally recommended,
the Emperor telegraphed Vice Admiral
Skrydlon to proceed to Port Arthur via
St Petersburg and assume command OF
the fleet. 1t is said that not even this
fact was officially communicated TO
Alexieff and he was allowed to learn
of it through the press dispatches.
Alexieff considered the matter for three
days. at the end of which he Is said to
have reached a decision to apply for
leave.
The cause Of the enmity between
Alexieff and Skrydloff. it is impossible
to learn, tonight. 1t Is believed to be
deeper than mere difference Of opin-
ion as to the policy to be pursued in
the Far East.
Viceroy Alexieff is expected to come
directly to st. Petersburg and his
friends hope that he win be elevated
to the council of the empire. BY his
withdrawal from the Far East he will
not only lose the dignified position OF
direct representative Of the Emperor.
but the salary Of $4,000 and an allow
ance of $4,000 per annum.
1t is not expected that a successor to
Vice Alexieff will be appointed. as the
Importance Of the post OF viceroy has
disappeared owing to the result OF the
war.
- "
St Petersburg. April 1.-the Rus
sian cavalry is scouting along the east
coast OF Corea bur not 30 far down a.
Gensan.
While there f. almost constant skir-
mishing along the Yalu, the Russians
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