The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-14

Boris. instead of by the aide to Grand
Duke Cyril, Lieutenant Won Kube. Leu
tenant Won Kube had gone down with the
ship.
The Youngest son of the Grand Duke
Vladimir. Grand Duke Andrew fashing
Young guardsman, behind the fastest trot-
ters hurried to tie Winter palace, the Ad-
miralty and elsewhere seeking confirma-
tion of the news, wnich came two hours
later in a message to the Emperor from
Rear Admiral Grigorovitch, the command
ant at Port Arthur. A religious service
was Immediately held at Duke Vladimirs
palace. in which thanks were returned to
the Almighty fer the sparing OF the life
of the Grand Duke Cyril, but the EN-
peror was so overwhelmed with grief at
the death of Vice Admiral Makaroff that
neither he nor the Empress attended the
service Instead the Emperor sent mum
her OF his personal staff to break the sad
news to Vice Admiral Makaroff's widow,
who is living in St Petersburg. Mean
time the city was filled with the widest
rumors. but the official dispatches were so
neagre and private dispatches 50 conflict
ing regarding what had occurred that the
public was kept III suspense Tor six hours.
Then although the report was incomplete,
dispatches were posted on the Nevs!ly
Prospect and other war bulletin boards
The grief of the crowds whose fears were
thus officially confirmed, was touching.
The Ministry Of Marine was soon sur
rounded by thousands of persons eagerly
asking for more datails. In the crowd OF
enourers were tie stricken relatives Of
those who were on board the Petropav-
lovsk. What occurred prior to the blow
ing up of the flagship was only vaguely
known except that Vice Admiral Maka
rolf with his feet was flying on the doom
ed vessel sailing out t. engage the enemy
until his reinforcements appeared
It is thought possible that Vice Admiral
Togo planned an ambuscade by sending
III a small squadron in the hope OF draw
ing out the Russian commander to the
open and then cutting off his escape.
The Associated Press learns that the 10
cation six of the mines planted by the
Yenesci, was unknown. the charts having
been lost when that vessel went down
Probably it was one Of these mines that
the PetroDavlovsk struck.
Vice Admiral Makarof's death is really
greater loss than would be that of sew
eral battleships. He was the pride of the
navy. and enjoyed the implicit confidence
Of his sovereign as well as of the officers
ard men OF the service. Speaking of his
death, an officer remarked upon the
strange fatality that he should lose his
life on q heavily armored batteship to
which he had a particular aversion. This
morning for the first time be raised his
flag on a battleship. Previously he had
gone cut On board the cruiser Novik or
the cruiser Askold. 1t was at the urgent
request of his friends that he did not
risk his life in this fashion, and trans
ferred his flag to the Petropaylovsk. 1t
is now an open secret that wee Admlrai
Makarosf was not anxious to resign his
command of Cronstadt to go to the Far
East thus necessitating his leaving his
wife and family, but the Emperor held
such a high opinion of him, that he de-
chned to consider other candidates, al
though it was pointed out that Rear Ad-
mlral Roiestvensky. chief OF the general
staff Of the navy, who mas Just been ,ap-
pointed III command the Baltic squadron,
and who is now destined to succeed
Makaroff, as well as others. were anxious
to distinguish themselves.
The Emporer in his summons to Vice
Admiral Makaroff. said: my choice has
taiien On you. and will not take re-
fusal, and so the Admiral went 20 the
Far East. The Emperors sorrow is
douDiy Keen on this account.
By imperial command a requiem service
VIII be celebrated at the Admiralty church