Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-06-16
GRAND DUKE
ALEXIS RESIGNS.
Announcement, That Head of the
Russian Navy Had Retired
Causes O Sensation,
ADMIRAL AvELLAN ALSO OUT.
Popular Impression Is That Their
Retirement Is q Concession 10
Public Opinion.

M PETERSBURG, Juno 49, 1870 u, M
Tho sensational announcement was
made shortly before mIdnlgh, that
Grand Duke Alexis the high admiral,
who IN an uncle Of the emperor, and
Admiral Avellan, head Of the Russian
Admiralty department, had resigned,
This mounromnnt WAS followed u few
minutes later by an imperial roscripl
relieving the ernnd duke OF the supreme
direction Of the navy which he had
held since the days Of the omporor's
father Alexander m, when Russia
resolved 10 enter the lists as a first.
class sea power ana TO build up great
navy, the romnantR Of which were de.
uroyod In the battle Of the Sen of ia.
pan
Although from time Ia time since the
war began there have been rumore that
the grand duke would retire ON account
Of the savage criticism, not 10 use
harahcr terms directed against the nd.
mlnWraton " the navy, especially IN
the construction OF ships, the announce.
mont of his resignation came Ike a
bolt from tho blue
n was not preceded by any of the ru.
mors which usually awe warning or
such an act Consequently Il was ns-
mmod that some sudden rpont procipl.
mltd IT, and ugly stories Immediately
came 20 the surface,
Among those soIournnR late IN the
cafes and hotels, the editorial IN the
Nesm Shish yesterday demanding an
accounting ~ The popular funds sub
scribcd for the rebuilding of the navy
and declaring tina, great names are no
longer guHrnnlooH' was Instantly re-
called
The words Of the rescrlpt glvc no
hint Of imperial anger and the real
explanation probably would not leak
out Tor several days but the Instant
disposition WAS 10 regard the retire,
menl Of Grand Duke Alexis and Ad.
mlral AYollnn ns u concession 10 public
opinion, following the GROWING lrngr.
dy Of the Sea Of Japan,
Charges Of mlFmanNgcncnl ANA tales
n corruption and even worse against
the marine department have been rlfe
for years After the war began they
Increased tonfold and lately regular
campaign against the department has
been openly conducted In the ncwepn.
peIH Some startling revelations have
been made IN This campHlRn ANA Capt,
rladO, who was one Of the leading crit.
lea of the conduct Of the navy, was
dlsmlssed from the service for his per.
slslonce,
II was felt, even In quarters whore
charges Of corruption were not enter,
tanned, that n would ho unwisc 20 en-.
trust The building of the navy 10 the
hands which were responsible for the
helpless lioots NJ the past
Grand Duke Alexis hlmeolf did not
escape personal attacks, aud scandal
was 80 busy with his name that he was
several times the ubIoct Of public dem.
unsUatlona The name of The grand
duke was high on the list ~ those con.
demntd BY the torrorete, and after
Red sunday dan 90 lasO, II was re-.
ported mat he had fed abroad but II
developed that no was merely Keeping
closely within his palace,
Recently he has shown himself more
frequently than usual IN closed carr
rage, The Associated Press cores
nondcnl saw him "Wednesday last driV.
ING down the Nova quay IN a low ono'
seated drosky drawn by fast-irotting
Orloll stallion, which WIS going like
'he wind, The driver, II was noted,
dld not wear the Imperial livery, The
llani duke, who was nerVously glano-
me TO rlght and left, Kept his hand deep
N lhc pocket Of His military overcoai,
hnd WIS evidently graspIng n revolver
The retirement Of Admiral AYclan
ls not YET heon published, Tho names
ol Nlco Admiral I3lrllof who w ro'
turning from Nl0dlY0stok, and OF Vice
Montreal Orouknln, commander Of tho
bo'k Hch fleet, are mentioned among