The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-05-01
WITTE
 AGAIN RESIGNS Is Utterly Disguised with Turn
 of Events ENEMIES RENEW FIGHT
1t Is Claimed In St. Petersburg That Emperor Nicholas Has Accepted the Premier's Resignation.
 His Possible Successor.

His Possible Successor.
 St Petersburg, April 3O.-While the As- sociated Press Is unable absolutely to confirm the story that Emperor Nicholas has accepted Premier Witte's resignation It can be affirmed that Count Witte has again asked the Emperor to choose be- tween him and Interior Minister Dur novo.
 The correspondent of the Associated Press, moreover, called tonight at the premier's residence in the winter pal ace. Count Witte was dining out. and M Voultch, the chief of the chancellery, was suspicously evasive when ques- tioned regarding the report of the ap- preaching retirement of his superior.
 T can say nothing" was all he would say. Such reply in itself may be re- garded as partial confirmation of the ru- nor.
 Rumors of Count Witte's retirement coupled with inc assertion that the Elm peror would appoint him president of the council of the empire, have been cur rent since Saturday but they have been so frequently put h circulation of late tha. he. 'iaAe titraeted tNtftff as- tention. especially in view of the fact that Count Witte was believed to have detin- itely downed his rival, M. Durnovo lt appears. however, that Premier Witte's enemies have been only shamming un- til the loan negotiations could be hn- ished, and that with the consummation of the loan, the court intrigue Tor the overthrow of the premier and the restor- alton of M Durnovo to power were re- snmed One of the chief points of Count witte's strength during his long struggle for supremacy was the Emperor's hrm belief that no financial aid would be given Russia by foreign bankers If the premier retired. With the loan made Count Witte's enemies instantly set 10 work to convince Emperor Nicholas that his usefulness was ended, and that he eould be discarded like an old boot.
 Is Utterly Disguised.
 The Associated Press Is in a position to state that Count Witte is utterly dls- gusted with the turn of events and es- peciany with the possibility that the Elm neror might not redeem his promise to dismiss M. Durnovo before the assembling of the national parliment. and that within a few days the premier offered the Elm peror the alternative of DurnoVo or nm self According to the story Emperor Nicholas is lending his ear to Premier Witte's foes, but instead of permitting him to drop out of public Ire, "aiils him 10 accept the presidency of the coun- ell of the empire. position or olshi's' ' but like the one he occupied when FienVe nnhorsed him in 1903, without power
 The Reich, the organ of the constitution al democrats. will tomorrow publish etorv of the acceptance of Premier Witte's resienation. the editor of the paper, Fro lessor Milukoff, claiming to have direct, Information that the Emperor has re- leased Count Witte.
 His Possible Successor.
 If M. Witte r9tires at this critical june ture. M Kokovsoff formerly minister of inc interior. who is exceedingly anxious for the premiership, is likely to succeed him M. Kokovsoff, who Is also in favor at court Is a man of little depth, but a suave ta1ker The reactlonaries believe that such a man is needed to face the na- tional parliament.
 The threatening attitude Of the peasants in the Volga provinces Is indicated in telegram received today by Premier Wttte from M. Stolypin, governor of Saratvo' ca wing that if the national parliament is disnersed without settling the land ques- tion. he will wash his hands of responsi- bility for what may happen in the pro- vinces The telegram Is all the more remarkable as coming from one or the old school of provincial officials whose views are so close to this Of Minister Durnovo. that the court camarilla all but forced his nomination as minister Of the interior instead of M. Durnovo.
 The last session of the old council of the empire which Is to be supplanted by a new council. one-halI of the members or which are elective. was held today. Very few members hold over. and the Emperor ls having trouble in filling out the num- her of appointed members. M. Gutchkon. Senator Konia and several others declin- ing to accept the seats rendered them on inc ground that they should be the gift of the people, and not of the crown. The compostion of the new council of the emnire is largely undetermined, though If will meet on the same day as the rep resentative chamber.
 The great desolate region in the vicinity of yakutsk has been selected as new sakhaln. to which high political offenders will be banished. The site has been select ed because it is sparsely settled. remote from railroads. and escape is considered