The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-14
II. NJ. H., in the Chicago Tribune.

IL NJ H., In the Chicago Tribune.
~ ICTURE heavil built man. stand
(" ing fully six feet In height, with
broad shoulders and thick brown
beard and mustache, now slightly tinged
with gray; dress him in the uniform of
a Russian admiral; his breast covered
with medals and decorations; let there
be about him an impression of accustom-
ed authority and of great reserve force;
make him a charming companion, ac-
quainted With the society of all the world
and ready to talk Interestingly about
anything but his business, which is the
business of his imperial master then you
will have an idea of Admiral Eugene
-Alexieff, the vice car of Russia in fur
Their Asia and the direct representative
Of the Russian government at Port Ar
thur
Those who know him declare that Alex
Jeff is a strange combination of many
strong qualities. He was bred a sailor.
and many of his early years were spent
in cruising about those gay winter cities
on the Mediterranean where the naval
Officers of many nations are warmly
welcomed. Later as a lieutenant he
served for four years on a vessel which
spent most of that time in exploring the
ice locked coasts of northern Siberia. And
1t was on his return from this long voy-
age that the young naval officer made
his first great hit with the powers at
St Petersburg
Lieutenant Alexieff had secured a leave
of absence and had decided to go home to
Russia by way of the United States He
landed at San Francisco and there he
learned that war was imminent between
his country and Great Britain. Forth
with, with a hardihood which seems al
most like insolence, the comparatively
abscure young naval officer sat down
and wrote a cablegram to his excellency
the minister of the navy at st. Peters,
burg.
3Why not authorize me to buy com
1nerce destroyers to prey on British COM
mercer" Is what he wired.
Good suggestion" came back the an
swer, but there is not time. War is
mater OF hours" II was signed by the
minister and would have been plenty to
satisfy most young naval lleuenants.
But 1t was not enough for Alexff
Permit me most humidity to suggest
that your excelency does not know the
United States" he cabled Immediately on
receipt of the minister's message. Let
me try H."
''rry" wired the minister, and at the
Easne time put at the disposal of Alexiff
ample funds for the purchase of num-
Der of fast sailing steamers.
On his way across the continent from
San Francisco Lieut. Alexiff was conduct
ing negotiations for the purchase of no
less than eight or ten big steamers Be-
fore he reached the east several of them
had been bought and were being fitted up.
Inside OF ten days he had bought eight
big steamers and had six of ther, waiting
with steam up for the first declaration of
war. Three of them rendezvoused in
Frenchman's bay off the coast of Maine
and three others off the Delaware break
water.
But the crisis was averted; war was not
declared, and finally Lieut.. Alexieff was
INSTRUCTED to sell the ships he had bought,
(which he did to good advantage Then the
young Russian went over to Long Branch
then at the height of its fame as a fash
1onable watering place, where he spent
several weeks as the guest of American
Friends. Even today in conversation with
American friends he is fond of barking
Pack to those days at Long Branch and
the good times he had there
When Alexieff finally went home they
gave him command of a ship with the
little OF captain. Three years later he was
an admiral. That one exploit of buying
the ships which never were used had
much to do with acquainting the Russian
SpftiHineHt with Is QudutV, since tnen
he has been great man He was chosen
to command the warship on which the
present car then heir to the throne.
went out to the far east, and on the
long voyage the friendship between the
him and his master was greatly strength
ened. Later he was sent out to act as
governor general of Russia for eastern
provinces. and there he showed his abil-
3ty as diplomat and administrator. He
nd fha xybf0
marched to the relief of the embassies at
Pekln. and there won honors as a land
commander Later he served for a time
as minister of marine in the cabinet of
the car, and last fall he was sent out as
the first viceroy of Russia in the east
clothed, so the reports have 1t, with the
authority almost as absolute as that
welded by the car himself.
Aiexieff has shown on several occasions
that he Is man Of peace SO long as