The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-06-16
ALEXIS RESIGNS.
He Is No Longer High Admiral of the
Russian NaVY


Russian Navy.
St Petersburg, June 16.-Grand
Duke Alexis, the high admiral who is
an uncle of the emperor, and Admiral
Avellau, head of the Russian admiralty
department, have resigned
The sensational announcement was
made shortly before midnight that
Grand Duke Alexis, the high admiral
who is an uncle of the emperor, and
Admiral AVellan, head of the Russian
admiralty department, had resigned.
This announcement was followed Il
few minutes later by an imperial re-
script relieving the grand duke of the
supreme direction of the navy which
he had held since the days of the en-
perOrS father, Alexander III, when
Russia resolved to enter the lists as
first class sea power and to build
great navy
Although from time to time since
the war began there have been rumors
that the grand duke would retire ow-
ing to the savage criticisms not to use
harsher terms directed against the ad-
ministratiOn of the navy especially in the
construction of ships, the announce
ment of his resignation came like a
bolt out of the blue. It was not pre-
ceded by any of the rumors which
usually give warning of such an act.
Consequently it was assumed that
some sudden event precipitated it and
ugly stories Immediately came to the
surface. Among those sojourning late
in cafes the editorial in the Nassau
Shisni demanding an accounting of
the money subscribed and declaring
great names are no longer guarantees,
was instantly recalled. The words of
the rescript give no hint of imperial
anger and the real explanation Will
not leak out for days, but the instant
disposition was to regard the retire
ment of Grand Duke Alexis and Ad-
mira1 Avellan as a concession to public
opinion, following the crowning
tragedy of the sea of Japan. Charges
of mismana cement and ineff1ciency
and tales of corruption and even worse
against the marine department have
been rife for years. After the war be-
gan they increased ten fold and lately
a regular campaign against the depart
the newspapers. Some startling reve-
lations have been made in this cam
paign and Captain CladO who was one
of the leading critics OF the navy was
dismissed from the service for his per-
sistence.
Need of a Change Felt.
It was felt even in quarters where
charges of corruption were not enter
tanned that it would be unwise to en-
trust the building of the navy to the
hands which were responsible for the
fleets of the past.
Grand Duke Alexis did not escane at
tacks and scandal was so busy with his
name that he was several times the sub
Recently he has shown himself more
freely. usually in a closed carriage The
Associated Press correspondent saw him
Wednesday driving down the Neva quay
in low one seated drosky drawn by a
fast trotting Orion stallion. which was go
ing like the wind The driver. it was noted
did not wear the imperial livery. The
grand duke who was nervously glaricing
to right and left, kept his hand deep in his
pocket of his military overcoat and was
evidently grasping a. revolver.
The retirement of Admiral Avellan has
not yet been published. The names of Vice
Admiral Biriloff- who is returning from
Vladivostok, and of Vice Admiral Chouk-
min, commander of the Black sea fleet are
mentioned as those likely to succeed Ad-
miral Avellan.
The emperor has accepted the resigna-
ton Of Grand Duke Alexis in the follow
ing TescriDt.
'.His imperial majesty, my father. high
ly esteeming your experience in naval ser
vice, selected you in 1881 as his immediate
collabOra tor in the work of renOvating and
strengthening our feet. Since then for
"a years your imperial highneSs has de-
voted labors TO the department of our ma
val armies forces and to the training of
the personnel of the feet in proportion to
the resources it was possible to accord