The San Francisco call., 1905-06-16
Russian High Admiral,
Uncle Of the Gar,
Resigns.
Press CIamors for Ac-
counting Of Funds
Of Navy.
Admiral AveIIan also
RetIres From Post
Under Fire.

ST. PETERSBURG, June Is, $500 a. m.
The sensational announcement was
made shortly before midnight that
Grand Duke Alexis, the High AdmirAI,
who is an uncle of the. Emperor, and
Admiral Ayellan, head Of the Russian
Admiralty Department, had resigned.
This announcement was followed a few
minutes later by an imperial rescript
relieving the Grand Duke of the su-
preme direction of the navy, which he
had held since the days of the Emper-
or's father, Alexander III, when Russia
resolved to enter the lists q first
class sea power and to build up a great
navy, the remnants of which were de-
strOyed in the battle of the Sea of JR-
pan.
Although from time to time since the
war began there have been rumors that
the Grand Duke would retire on account
of 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 bolt
from the blue. 1t was not preceded 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 immedi-
ately came to the surface.
DIVERSION OF NAVAL FUNDS.
Among those sojourning late in the
cafes and hotels the editorial in the
Nassa Shish yesterday, demanding an
accounting of the popular funds sub
scribed for the rebuilding of the navy
and declaring that great names are no
longer guarantees" was instantly re-
called
The wording of the rescript gives no
hint of imperial anger. and the real ex-
planation probably will not leak out for
several days, but the instant disposition
was to regard the retirement of Grand
Duke Alexis and Admiral Avellan as
concession to public opinion, following
the crowning tragedy of the Sea of Japan
Charges of mismanagement and tales of
corruption, and even worse against the
marine department have been rife for
years After the war was begun they in
creased tenfold, and lately regular cam
paign against the department has been
openly conducted in the newspapers.
Some startling revelations have been
made in this campaign, and Captain
Clado, who was one of the leading critics
Of the conduct of the navy, was dismissed
from the service for his persistence
1t was felt even in quarters where
charges of corruption were not enter
tanned, that ii would be unwise to entrust
the building of the navy to the hands
which were responsible for the helpless
fleets of the past
GRAND DUKE FEARS ASSASSINS.
Grand Duke Alexis did not escape per-
sonal attacks, and scandal was so busy
with his name that he was several times
the subject of public demonstrations The
name of the Grand Duke was high on the
list of those condemned by the terrorists,
and after RED Sunday" january % lasD
it was reported that he had fed abroad,
but it developed that he was merely keep
ing closely within his palace. Recently
than usual in a closed carriage. A corre-
spondent saw him on Wednesday last.
driving down the Neva Quay In a low,
drosky drawn by fast trot-
ting Orloff stallion. which was going like
the wind. The driver, it was noted. did
not wear the imperial livery. The Grand
Duke who was nervousy glancing to
right and left, kept his hand deep in the
pocket of his military overcoat, and was
graspng 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
Choukmn, commander of the Black Sea
fleet, are mentioned among those likely
to succeed Admiral Avellan.
REsCRIPT REVEALS NOTHING.
The Emperor accepted the resignation
Of Grand Duke Alexis in the following
rescript:
His imperial Majesty, my father, high