The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-04-20

ST. Petersburg. April 2o.-viceroy
Alexieff has applied by telegraph TO the
emperor TO be relieved Of his position OF
viceroy in the Far East
II is expected that the request will be
immediately granted.
While no official announcement has
yet been made there is reason TO be-
lieve that the above statement Is COR
rect. The immediate cause OF the vice
roy's application Is reported 60 be the
appointment OF Vice Admiral Skrydloff.
one OF Admiral Alexieffs strongest
enemies and sharpesr critics as sue
cessor TO the late Vice Admiral Maka-
rofr in command OF the Russian navy in
the Far East.
Vice Admiral Skyrdloff in an interview
with the emperor discussed with his
majesty the matter OF Viceroy Alexieffs =
relations WIN himself
The relief of Viceroy Alexieff would
not surprise intelligent observers OF the
Far Eastern situation who are familiar
with the gradual change in the em-
peror'e attitude toward the viceroy and
N. Bezobrszor, who represented the
Araittant or advanced element, which was
srrxious that Russia should remain In
sMmchuria.
MTsgUDGED THE JAPANESE
II was 10 these two men that the
Angfo-Japanese entente first lost its ter
rors They believed that Great Britain
would not so 10 war and that Japan
rould not do 20. To the indignation OF
Japan, they succeeded in turning the
policy OF the empire from carrying out
che treaty for the entire evacuation of
Manchuria pending further demands on
Cthsra.
On August le last, after Japan had sub
ynttted an inquiry az 10 whether Russia
was disposed to reopen the negotiations
respecting Manchurla and Corea, a Vice
royalty In the Far East. n special secre-
tary OF the state and an advisory com
rn&ttee we're created. Alexieff being ap-
pointed viceroy and Bezobrazoff. sec
fetary of rtate.
BIEFFED THE EMPEROR.
Seventeen days after these appoint
ments were made M. witte. who had
been opposed 10 the policy OF AlexieN
and Bezobrazo was relieved Of his
portfolio as minister Of finance II was
through the new official advisers that
The emperor conducted negotiations with
Japan. and II is claimed that they nils
Judged the temper and purpose OF the
japanese and left the emperor IN
ignorance Of the preparations for war
which Japan was making and the rising
war spirit OF that empire
The enemies OF Alexieff have persist
emily asserted that as the man on tho
spot he should have kept the emperor
Informed concerning these Vita points.
viceroy Alexien recommended the ap-
pointment Of either Vice Admiral Dou-
bassofr or Vice Admiral Makaroff ~ com
mand the feet IN succession 60 Vice
Admiral Stark. The emperor selected
Makarofy and at the same time issued n
special ukase, making him absolutely In
dependent.
FIRST BLOW TO AtExIEFF.
This was the first blow publicly given "a
AlexieY. The second was the appointment
or Gen. Kuropatkin. as commander-in-
chief Of the army In Manchuria. That
there might be no doubt of Kuropatkin's g
exact jurisdiction the emperor Issued an
other ukase. defining A. and gave the for
mer minister Of war complete control OF
military operations in the far east
Officials IN 81. Petersburg say IL must
fhen have been evident 20 Alexicf that
fi- star had waned. He had neither the
army nor the navy under his control. be-
fne charged merely with tho civil admin
sstration. AZ irs, the viceroy received the
o6icial dispatches from Makaron and Ku-
yopstEn. but even this last shred - hts
Signify wss removed when the two com