Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-22
CAR FORMS NEW
COUNCIL OF WAR
MANIFESTO CREATES SPECIAL
COMMISSION
WILL PLAY WEleHTY ROLE
Emperors Rescrpt Calls for organ-
Izatlon to Direct Grand Strategy
Of Warfare on Land and
Sea

By Associated Press.
ST. PETERSBURG, May %, 2:05 p.
m.-The first step towards the insti-
tuition of the long contemplated council
of national defense, to coordinate the
activities of the military and naval
administration has been taken In an
imperial manifesto creating a special
preliminary commission under the pres
idency of Grand Duke Nicholas Nichol-
aievitch.
The manifesto Is preceded by a re-
script which Emperor Nicholas ad-
dressed to the grand duke, in which his
majesty says:
"In order to insure the development
of the empires fighting force in a
manner corresponding to the needs and
resources of the state and uniformity
in the duties of the supreme naval and
military administration and also to har-
monize them with those of other gov
ernment institutions in questions affect
ing the safety of the state I have
deemed it necessary to establish a per-
manent state defense council
To Form Council at Once
"I charge the special commission
consisting of members appointed by me
under the presidency of your imperial
highness, to draw up according to ny
direct suggestion law relating to this
institute
The rescript concluded with the ex-
of he N tho
mission will carry out the task con-
fided to 1t without delay and with the
care and undivided attention which the
high importance of the new institution
demands.
The formation of the council and the
assumption by it of control of the war
is expected to ensue shortly, as the
main details have already been
worked out. The dispatch to Grand
Duke Nicholas Nicholaievitch, who is
designated as the president of the per-
manent state defense council, to Man.
churia to assume direct command of
the imperial forces there has been sew
eral times seriously considered and he
has served repeatedly of late as repre-
sentative of the emperor in dealing with
vital questions of war
Replaces War Council
The existing council of war, which
has proved unsatisfactory will be sup
erseded by the new body. The step
is an extremely important one, for
which the events of the war in the far
east have shown the necessity, the
two departments failing to work to-
gether to the best advantage even when
actuated by the most harmonious feel
ings. and friction has been often mani
tested. Many opportunities for helpful
cooperation between the two arms Of
the service are constantly arising, and
If Vice Admiral Rojestvensky succeeds
in reaching Vladivostok and shaking
the Japanese mastery of the sea, the
council will play a very weighty roie.
At the same time the council is created,
not for the present war, but as per-
manent organization of the state, sub
ordinating the war and navy depart
ments and even overshadowing the
other ministries.
1t is understood the formation of the
new council means the definite aban-
donment of the plan of sending Grand
Duke Nicholas Nicholaievitch to the far
east to assume supreme command on
land and sea. General Linevitch and
Vice Admiral Birileiff will be left un-
hampered except as to the grand out
lines of strategy.