Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1906-02-21
CLOUDS GATHER
OVER PREMIER
THRICE WITTE HAS TRIED TO
RESIGN
Retirement Of Ministers kutIer and
Nemenhaeieff Finds Russia's Po-
lltieal Wlseaeres All at
Sea Over Events
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press
ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 2O.-The
day has passed without further an
nouncements Of designations from the
cabinet. The ministerial situation is
unchanged though all circles i'm the
capital are awaiting with keen atten-
ton new developments which are eX-
pected day by day. bordering the
meaning and Importance of the re.
markable shakeup.
The public has been preparing for the
fall of either M. White or Minister of
the Interior Durnovo, but the retire
ment of M. Kutler and NJ. Timiriazeff
from the ministries of agriculture and
commerce, respectively, and the ex-
pected withdrawal of NJ. Nememhacieff
from the ministry of communications
finds the political wiseacres all at sea.
Strong efforts, however, are being
made to induce M. Tlmiriazeff to with
draw his resignation and thus save
further disintegration of the cabinet
and enable it to weather the interval
until the convocation of the national
assembly.
Emperor Nicholas is said to be anx-
ious to retain Count Solsky at the
head of the council Of the empire but
there is slight probability of his be-
ing able to do so.
M. Timiriazeff informed the AS
ISOLATED Press this evening that he
has not yet received word of the ac-
ceptance of his resignation. He has
already, however vacated his suite in
the ministry of commerce, and today
he held a regular levee at his residence,
where he received the congratulations
of many prominent liberals.
Disapproves a Law
NJ. Timiriazeffs resignation, it tran
spires, was entirely voluntary and was
handed in at a personal audience
which he had with the emperor and at
which he explained he was withdraw
ing from the cabinet because of his
disapproval of the law extending sum-
mary court martial for the trial of
political offenses in all parts of the
empire, which was passed February g..
He said that his retirement was no
sign of lack Of zeal or of his love for
his sovereign, but was dictated by a
deep conviction that the step was
necessary as protest against a policy
ruinous to Russia, and as a travesty of
the constitutionalism which the en-
peror was seeking to introduce.
His majesty expressed regret at los
ing a faithful and Jealous servant and
offered him seat in the council of the
empire; but M. Timiriazeff pleaded
that that BODY was affected with the
same spirit as the ministry and said
he would better serve the emperor If
he were untrammeled by any bonds
connected with the present administra-
ton.
Clouds over Premier
The survival of both Count White
and M. Durnovo in the cabinet is
causing clouds to gather more omi-
nously over the head of the premier,
who, his enemies declare, can no
longer disclaim responsibility for the
repressive measures. An inspired
statement asserts that Count White
has thrice handed in his resignation,
and that each time the emperor has
refused to accept it, and that therefore
he is bound as a patriot to obey the
will of the emperor and remain at the
helm.
The withdrawal of M. Filossofoff
from the cabinet was announced I'M
der misrepresentation. M. Filossofoff
retires from the office of comptroller of
the empire, but is slated for transfer
to the place vacated by M. Timiria-
Jeff in case the latter shall not recon-
slider his resignation.