The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-20
CAUSE OF ALEXIEFFS
DESIRE TO RESIGN

ST. PETERSBUR RG, April 19.-The imme
date cause of Viceroy Alexieff's applica-
tion TO resign is reported to be the appoint
ment of Vice Admiral Skrydloff, one of
Admiral AIexieff's strongest enemies and
sharpest critics, as successor to the late
Vice Admiral Makaroff in command of the
Russian navy in the far East. Vice Ad
rniral Skrydlon had an interview with the
Emperor to-day and.- -siissusssd--wi Ibis
Majesty the question of his (Skrydloff's)
relations with Alexieff.
The relieving from command of Viceroy
AIeXien would not surprise intelligent OBJ
servers Of the far Eastern situation -
are familiar with the gradual charge in
the Emperors attitude toward the vice
roy and NJ. Bezobrazoff who represented
the militant or advanced element which
was anxious that Russia should remain in
Manchuria- II was to those two men that
the AnglO-Japanese entente first lost its
terrors- They believed that Great Britain
would not go to war and that Japan could
not do To the Indignation of Japan
they succeeded in turning the policy of the
empire from carrying out the treaty for
the entire evacuation of Manchuria pending
further demands on China.
On Aug. L, last, after Japan had
submitted an inquiry as to whether
Russia was disposed to reopen the
negotiations respecting Manchuria and
Korea. vice royalty i'm the far East spe-
eial secretary of state and an advisory COM
mittee were created. AIexief being appoint
ed viceroy and Bezobrazoff secretary of
state Seventeen days aIIer these appoint
ments were made NJ. Witte, who had been
opposed to the policy of Alexief and Bezo-
brazoff. was relieved of his portfolio as
Ii was through his new official advisers
that the Emperor conducted negotiations
with Japan and il is claimed that they
mSIudged the temper and purpose of the
japanese and left the Emperor in igno-
rance of the preparations for war which
Japan was making and the rising war spirit
of that empire. The enemies of Alexieff
have persistently asserted that as the man
the spot he should have kept the EN-
peror informed concerning these vital
points.
on the eve of the war Alexieff appar-
emily still 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 to the slack
hess of the naval administration in the far
East The anti-Alexieff party in ST. Pc
tersburg held that Vice Admiral Stark
who the viceroy's representative, was
responsible under him for the first reverse
al Port Arthur.
Viceroy Alexieff recommended the ap.
continent OF either Vice Admiral Deubas-
soft or Vice Admiral Makaroff to com
mand the fleet in succession TO Admira
and at the same time issued a special ukase
making him absolutely independent. Thi:
was the first blow publicly given to Alex
Jeff. The second was the appointment o
General kurcpatkir as commander-in-chie
OF the army in Manchuria. kuropatkir
sided with Count iamsdorff. the foreign
minister, and NJ. Witte. against the policy
OF ManchuriSn annexation and stated {,
the Chinese minister 10 Russia. Mr.. Ho,
Wei Teh. that the whole trouble originated
with AIeSieT. That there might be n,
doubt of Kuropatkin's exact jurisdiction
the Emperor issued another ukase defnins
II and gave the former minister of wa
complete control of military operations il
the far East
OficiaIs In St Petersburg say il mus
then have been evident 10 AleXieff that hi
star had waned He had neither the arm,
charged merely with the civil administra
ton. but in time of war there is no civi
vicerOy received the official dispatches from
MakarOff and Kuropatkin. but even tni
last shred OF his dignity was removed whei
the two commanders communicated di
rectly with the Emperor.
When the Petropavlovsk was sunk Alex
Jeff started from Mukden for Port Arthur
telegraphing to the Emperor on his arriva
there that he had hoisted his flag on tn
battleship Sevastopol and would direct tn
operations of the feet until Il new com
mander was sent out Ii is said that n
Without consulting Alexieffs wishes an
without considering Vice Admiral Doubas
soff whom he had originally recommended
the Emperor teiegraphed Vice Admira
Skrydioff TO proceed TO Port Arthur vi
St Petersburg and assume command of tn
fleet. IL Is said that not even this fac
was officially communicated TO Alexieff an
he was allowed 10 learn of IL through tn
press dispatches. Alexien considered tn
matter for three days. at the end of whic
he is said TO have reached a decision I
apply for leave
The cause of the enmity between Alexiei
and SkIydoff IL is impossible TO learn to
night. IL is believed TO be deeper than
mere difference of opinion as TO the polio
TO be pursued I'm the far East Skrydlol
has not hesitated in talking TO his friend
TO charge Alexieff with responsibility 10
the disasters TO the Pacific squadron. b
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