The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-11
RQJESTVENSKY HAS
BUT FEW FRIENDS
He is Not Popular Among His
Officers
DICTATOR IN THE NAVY
Always Insists Upon Strict Discipline
and Is Hard to Pleasantly
the Sailors Liked Him
on Board.
DICTATOR IN THE NAVY
From Various Sources.

From Various Sources.
Vice-Admral SinoVi Petroryiteh Ro-
5estvensky, ON whom the hopes of Rus
STA rested is about 81 years of age, and
was personally appointed to the command
of the Baltic fleet by the Car.
The appointment was made because of
the thoroughness with which he had
done his work as chief of the head
quarters naval staff and the head of the
intelligence department of the Russian
navy. He was regarded as one of the
most efficient officers In the service He
distinguished himself during the Turk
ish-Russan war in 1877 by attacking a
Turkish ironclad with the little gunboat
vesta.
His appointment last summer to COM
mand the Second Pacific squadron Gre
ated no jealousy, as he was recognized
as the most fitting man. Other high
ranking officers did not seek the com
mand because Of the dangers attending
the taking of great fleet 1900 miles to
the far east.
Given the command. Rojestvensky never
faltered. lie appreciated the difficulties
he would encounter, but believing i'm
plicitly in his own ability, he announced
on assuming command that he would
take his fleet through if he had to in
volve every neutral power along the
route in war,
His friends in the service. though they
believe in him. did not like him This
caused Rojestvensky no worry, as he
had been accustomed TO working out his
own salvation Self-reliant. he organ
lied and personally superintendent the
equippng of his fleet
In the navy he was known as an alb
solute dictator. He was not man of
many words or friendships His only
diversions were long swims. which he
took alone, and solitary cruises in a small
yacht which he could manage himself
He was not popular among his officers.
They said they could never do anything
to please him. Bitterly sarcastic and
ironical in his reports and reprimands,
he was impartial in publicly criticising
officers and men.
There was none of the bluff heartiness
always associated with a seaman about
Rojestvenslty. He never failed to pun
ish for fault, vet never expressed APP
proval of anything well done.
Sailors Liked Him.
The sailors of the navy like Roiest-
vensky, although he was uncommuni-
cative, reserved and unappreciative to
them. He was a redresser of grievances
zealously guarding any right or liberty
of his own men from interference by
another. Had he lived between decks
instead of in the admirals cabin he
would have been n frst-rate ''sea law
YER
He did not do this because of great re-
gard for his men, but because he be-
lieved they had certain rights. and that
II deprived of them 1t interfered with
their doing their duty. He personally in
spected the sailors uniforms, their ham
mocks, and tasted their food for the
same reasons. If everything was not
right. and 1t was the governments fault
he never ceased referring to 1t in his
official reports until the matter was rec
titled.
Neatness of person and Immaculate
uniforms he considered as essential as
seamanship and gunnerv. He was al
ways irreproachably uniformed and in
sisted upon his officers and men follow
ing his example. II was nothing unusual
for Rojestvensky. in full uniform wear
ing all his decorations. to visit the en-
gine rooms Of his warshp or the mess
hall and spend hours picking his way
among sooty bags of coal or greasy cases
OF meat inspecting, in the hope of finding
something wrong.
Rather under medium height the adj
niral was far from being imposing. but
what he lacked in height he made up in
gorgeousness of uniform. He was slen-
der. and had the air rather of a doctor
or a lawyer than a sailor.
Office Like Boudolr.
His office in the navy department at
ST. Petersburg resembles more bou-
doir than a workshop. Its walls are
covered with photographs, mirrors, rel
les of old friendships and objects Of art
which he picked up on his many cruises.
To Rojestvensky's logged determine
ton is due the fact that he succeeded In
getting his fleet through. His crews
were green and inefficient, and the Of
fieers no better, when he started on his
long trip. To this fact was due the FIR
ing on the North sea fishermen. which
strained relations between his govern
ment and Great Britain.
He kept the officers and men drilling
>'rnost constantine from the time they
"A