New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-20
No NEW VICER0Y LIKELY.
AIerief'S Post Probably To Be
En- ptg Until End of Var.

~
81. Petersburg. April 19-vioeroy Alexiefr has
applied by telegraph 20 the Emperor 20 be re-
reved from the viceroyaIty in the Far East. II
is expeoted that the request will be Immediately
granted. NO Official announcement has yet been
made. but there is reason 10 believe that the
above statement IS correct.
It is not expected that a successor to viceroy
Ale1,ef VIII be appointed. as the importance Of
the post OF vioeroy has disappeared owing 20 the
war.
Tbe immediate cause OF the Viceroy1s appIica-
ton Is reported 10 be the appointment OF Vice
Admiral skrydlon. one OF Admiral Alexieffs
strongest enemies and sharpest critics. as
oessor to the late vice-Admiral Makaroff
Admiral Slkrydlof had interview with the
Emperor to-day and discussed with his majesty
the position OF Vioeroy Alexieff. and what his
relations would be with that officer.
EsrPERoR's ATTITUDE CHANGED.
The relief Of viceroy Alexier would not sur
prise intelligent observers OF the Far Eastern
situation who are familiar with the gradual
change IN the Emperor's attitude toward the
viccroy and II. Bezobrazo1, who represented
the element which was anxious that Russia
should remain In aIanchuria- It was these two
men for whom the Anglo-Japanese understand
sue first lost terrors. They believed that Great
Britain would not go TO war. ana that Japan
could not DO So To the indignation OF Japan
they succeeded IN turning the policy OF the en-
pire from carrying out the treaty for the en-
tire evacuation OF Nanchuria, pending further
demands on China
After Japan had submitted an inquiry on
August y last whether Russia was disposed to
and Corea a viceroyalty IN the Far East, spe-
oial Secretary Of State and an advisory
m!ttee were created AlexieT being appointed
Viceroy and Bezobrazoff Secretary of State.
Seventeen days after these appointments were
made NJ. de Witte, who had been opposed to the
policy Of AlexieH and BezobrazofT was relieved
Of his portfolio as Minister Of Finance.
JAPANs PURPOSE MIsJUDGED.
II was through his new official advisers that
the Emperor conducted negotiations with Japan.
ana II Is said that they mistudged the temper
and purpose Of the japanese and left the En-
peror n ignorance OF the preparations for war
which Japan was making and the rising war
spirit OF that empire
The enemies Of Alexieff have persistently as
serted that, as the man on the spot, he should
have kept the Emperor informed concerning
these vital points.
had the confidence OF the Gar. but the lack OF
preparedness OF the Port Arthur feet. as shown
In the cases Of the battleships Retvizan and
Czarevitch, called the attention OF the Emperor
70 the slackness Of the naval administration in
the Far East
The anti-Alexief party in St Petersburg held
that Vice-Admiral Stark. who was the Viceroy's
representative. was responsible under him for
.he first reverse at Port Arthur.
Vioeroy Alexie9 recommended the appoint
ment OF either vice-Admiral Doubassoff
Vioe-Admiral Malaroff 20 command the feet
in succession TO Vice-Admiral Stark The En-
peror selected Makaroff. and at the same time
issued a special ukase making him absolutely
Independent.
A SECOND LOSS OF AUTHORITY.
This was the first blow publicly given TO
Alexieff. The second was the appointment OF
General Kuropatkin as commander in chief Of
the army IN Manchuria Kuropatkin sided with
Count Lamsdorff, the Foreign Minister, and NJ.
oe Witte against the policy OF Manchurian an
nexation and stated 20 the Chinese Minister to
Russia. II. Hoo-Wei-Teh, that the whole trouble
originated with AlexieT. That there might be
no doubt Of Kuropatkin's exact jurisdiction. the
Emperor issued another ullase defining II. and
gave The former Minister OF War complete con
troi Of military operations In the Far East.
officials in ST Petersburg say It must then
have been evident 10 Alexieff that his star had
waned He had neither the army nor the navy
under his control. being charged merely with
the civil administration, but in time OF war there
Is little no civil administration. At first the
Riceroy received the official dispatches from
.aakarof and Kuropatkin but even this last
shred of his dignity ,svas removed and the two
commanders communicated directly with the
Emperor
REMOVED FROM FLEETS COMMAND.
When the PetropavIovsk sunk. Alexief
started from Moukden for Port Arthur, tele-
graphing 10 the Emperor on his arrival there
mat he had hoisted his rag -on the battieship
eeVastopol and would direct the operations OF
me neet until a new commander was sent out.
X Is said that answer TO this was sent by his
majesty. Without consulting Alexieff's wishes
ana without considering Vice-Admral Doubas-
soH, whom he had originally recommended, the
emperor telegraphed to Vice-Admiral Skrydlon
% proceed 70 Port Arthur by way Of ST. Peters
burg and assume command OF the feet. IL Is
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