The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1906-05-02
DOWNFALL OF WITTE
Still UNCONFIRnED
ONLY FEW DOUBT THAT HEH4S
SURRENDERED THE
REINS.

Premier as Silent as a Sphinx ON the
Subject--Acceptance May Not be An
nOunced Until After the COnvocation
of the National ParIfament--Great
Statesmen Said to Have Been Be-
trayed by One of His Confidantes.
st. Petersburg, May 1.-Absolute con-
firmation of the reported retirement of
Premier Witte, which has been the sale
topic of conversation in political cir
cles to-day, is still lacking, but in St.
Petersburg only a few skeptics who
have heard the cry of wolf with refer
ence to the premier's resignation too
often, express doubt that the once pow
erful premier has surrendered the reins
Count Witte himself is as silent as the
sphinx on this subject, and, baked by
his grim reticence, an attempt to draw
him out was made to-day by a caller
t. whom he has frequently given his
confidence.
In the course of conversation re-
garding business matters an official
Ventured to remark to the premier:
THE papers this morning are full Of
rumors of the retirement of your ex-
cellency."
The suggestion evoked no answer ex-
cept the non -committal "Indeed" and
when a flattering reference to the
weakness caused on the Moscow and
the st, Petersburg bourses by the re-
port Of the resignation had shared the
same fate the visitor desisted
A strong intimation was given to-day
that the acceptance of Count Whites
resignation will rot be announced until
after the convocation Of the national
parliament, and the plausible theory
was advanced by people at court that
Count Whites dismissal is not a move
in the direction Of reaction, but really
is due to the desire on the part of En-
paror Niyholas to put himself in line
witt, the result Of the election, and that
his PURPOSE is to reorganize the cabinet
to meet the new conditions by the in
cluson Of some constitutional demo-
cratic ministers. The leadership of the
ministry will rest In the hands of man
of she emperor's own choice.
Though this suggestion is a novel one,
certain straws tend to show that 1t is
not at all impossible. Close observers
will not be amazed by the retirement
of Minister of the Interior Durnovo, as
well as of Premier Witte. The liberal
leaders, however, are nonplussed by the
remarkable change of commanders at
this crucial instant and the inclined to
interpret it as showing that reaction
has obtained the upper hand, These
prophets predict the dissolution of the
national parliament and all sorts of
retrograde movements.
The town is full of stories furnishing
reasons for the emperor's sudden de-
termination to accept Premier Whites
resignation, one attributing it to tale
bearing by the vice-director of the gen.
darmerie, M, Rotchkoffffsky, who was
favored with Count Witte's confidence
and repeated to the emperor unflatter-
Ing remarks made by the premier re-
garding his sovereign
There is much speculation as to the
probable successor of Premier White.
Count Ignatiff, who generally is re-
garded as one Of the leading spirits in
the reactionary movement, but who,
during the debate preceding the adop-
tion of the national parliament law on
September 10, 1905, showed that he
could be liberal when the necessity
arose, Is mentioned instead of FORMER
Finance Minister Kokovsiff, who, how
ever, was received to-day by Emperor
Nicholas at Tsarskoe Selo.
London, May IA dispatch to the
Exchange Telegraph company from St
Petersburg says 1t is reported there
that M. Goremykin, former minister of
the interior, will succeed Count Witte
as premier.