The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-06
BesObrasoff, Late Secretary of
State, Encouraged War for
Personal Reasons.
DISCOVERED TOO LATE
Ordered to Leave Russia Forever,
but Mischief Was Already
A Accomplished.
CAR EASILY DECEIVED
Taken in Again by a Man Who
Had Betrayed His Friends and
Fellow-ConSpiratorS.

Special Correspondence Of the Journal.
LONDON. Feb. 25.-Too late TO stop the
war, the man who did most to cause it and
expected most profit from it was thrown
out of his high Office by the Car and bid
den TO leave Russia forever He fed to the
south of France. where he is living on the
millions he amassed in the region that is TO
become a bloody battle-ground largely be-
cause Of his speculations. This man is NJ.
Besobrasoh. until lately Russian secretary
of state, and the way in which he To-
mented the Russo-Japanese conflict is here
described in detail for the first time
Besobrasof is a scion OF a noble family.
but his parents were impccunious and were
glad to obtain for their son a post as page
in the imperial household. position which
in Russia can only be filled by lads with
blue blood in their veins. Young Boso5rasoff
entered the imperial service at the age OF
sixteen and served as a page i'm the palace
for two years, when he obtained a COM
mission as lieutenant in the crack regiment
of guards. His military rank procured him
access to the best circles Of society in the
Russian capital, and for few years he
was one of the favorites of the fashionable
drawing rooms of St. Petersburg
The young man, however, was of an en-
terprising turn of mind. and soon after ha
had attained his twenty-second birthday
he threw up his commission in the army,
abandoned the pleasures OF society ard
proceeded to eastern Siberia TO make his
fortune. Nothing was heard Of him for a
decade. when suddenly he reappeared ia
St Petersburg and announced that he had
become a millionaire through his enterprises
Ep N r.-iu
pasture and arabic land, besides property
In the neighborhoOd OF Vladivostok Port
Arthur and Dalny. He had acquainted
himself with the intricacies of the admins
tratlOn and development. of Manchuria and
eastern Siberia He gained the ear OF the
Car, who discussed all these questions
with him by the hour.
SUDDEN RISE TO POWER
Besobrasoff returned TO the far East as
the confidential adviser of the Car. to
whom he revealed many weak points in
Russia's management of far Eastern affairs
At this period he purchased extensive
tracts of land in Korea and persuaded the
Gar. the dowager Empress of Russia and
several grand dukes of the imperial family
10 invest money IN similar purchases OF
land, with the result that the Emperor OF
Russia and his relatives have been accused
OF shaping Russia's policy in regard 10
Korea in accordance with their own pri-
Vate interests. Other investments which
Besobrasoff advised the Car and his moth
er to make in Siberia turned out to be
brilliant successes and his power at court
grew proportionately.
NJ. Besobrasoff was the direct cause Of
NJ De Whites retirement from Office. NJ.
DE Witte, whose power was thought 10 be
unaSsallable, was summoned to the Car TO
explain certain defects in the construction
of the Transsiberian Railway discovered
by Besobrasoff and reported by him to the
Gar. NJ. De White assured the Car that
there were no such defects. whereupon the
"a oil 1nI
But Besobrasof says these mistakes
were committed"
Does your Majesty accept the word OF
this adveuturer in preference to mine ," was
M De Whites response.
The Car said nothing for the moment,
but the next days issue of the Russian
ment that Besobrasoff had been appointed
secretary of state. All Russia was amazed
for such a high position had never before
been given to a man absolutely without
official experience. VI. De Witte resigned
by way of protest, and the Gar full OF con-
hdence in the genius Of his new favor.te let
! White so without making the least effort
10 dissuade him from retirement Beso-
brasoff came in triumph from the far East
10 take up his post as secretary of state
and it is significant that soon after his ar
rival and installation in office the situa ton
became critical, and the Russo-Japanese
diplomatic conflict assumed a dangerous
character 1t has been shown since the war
broke out that BesObrasOff used all hts in
fuence with the Car I'm favor OF war
At critical stage of the negotiations
with Japan one Of the grand dukes OF tho
imperial family, who previously had been
Besobrasoffs friend. saw reason TO change
his opinion of the secretary OF state. and
| opened the Cars eyes 10 the truth con-
corning the speculator who wanted Russia
to undertake a for the benefit of his
own financial interests In Korea IL was
too late TO stop the war but the Car or
dered Besobrasof TO leave Russia forever.
and the former imperial favorite fled 10 the
south of France. He married a beautiful
woman Of the Russian aristocracy. who il
sharing his Punishment and his millions.
SUBATOFF'S HISTORY.
With the career OF Besobrason must be
coupled that Of another former minister.
Subaton. until lately imperial state seore-
tary Of police. who. although he has had
direct hand in causing the war. is re-
sponsible for state of affairs that seems
likely 10 crown the horrors OF war with a
revolutionary outbreak. Like his fellow
minister, Subatoff climbed from the bottom
TO the top. and has tumbled TO the bottom
again. The careers OF both men are more
significant of the present condition Of af-
fairs i'm Russia than whole columns Of
! hgures concerning her army and navy
would be.
NJ SubatoT is the son OF village priest
of orthodox Greek confession. Re was sent
by his parents 10 study at the University
of St Petersburg, where. like so many
young Russians. he quickly became imbued
with socialistic and revolutionary opinions.
He neglected hts studies TO devote himself
TO secret Socialist propaganda and during
his vaca tons made walking tours through
remote country districts. stirring up dis
content against the existing order OF things
in Russia. He learned 10 know when and
where the secret seditious meetings were
held. became acquainted with all the meth
DDS of secret organizations and the means
adopted by the students in ST Petersburg,
Moscow. kieff and other Russian university
towns 10 correspond with each other and
got TO know by heart the confidential code
employed 10 transmit secret cOmmunica-
tions from one center TO another.
Young Subaton had no ulterior motive in
acquiring all this knowledge. FOR his belief
in revolutionary socialism was genuine. and
he was prepared 10 sacrifice himself for tho
great cause Of liberty. His neglect Of his
academic studies prevented him from be-
ing graduated. and thus cut him of from
many careers open only 10 those possessing
the university degree OF doctor Of philoso-
ply. or law. or science.
ON leaving the university he Joined the
stan OF a revolutionary journal printed on
a secret press In the cellar OF a house In a
suburb Of the capital. and circulated by
stealth throughout the empire. At tho
same time he became one OF the members
of the central committee OF the Russian