The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-02-24
Count WITTE
STILL RETAINS
PREMIERSHIP

St Petersburg Feb. 24-The reports
abroad that Premier Witte has resigned
and that his resignation had been accept
ed by Emperor Nicholas are discredited
here. No further changes in the cabinet
are expected AT present. and IL is proba-
BILE that NJ. Nemechaieff minister OF COM
muncations. will retain his portfolio for
the time being.
The successors Of Minister of Commerce
Timirazeff and Minister of Agriculture
Ilutler have not been determined upon.
The appointment OF NJ Krivoshieff for
mer minister of public works and rail
ways. as minister OF agriculture is re-
garded as only temporary. At the Witte
chancellery nothing is known OF the pre-
mier's reported organization.
All the organs Of the press are con-
trlbuttnR to the outcry over the dis
closure OF the governmental subsidies 10
the Gapon organization, and a liberal
amount Of mud singing is directed
against Count Witte and Fr Gapon, who
are charged with having arrived at a cor
rupt understanding TO buy of the labor
leaders and break up the force OF the
liberal movement among the wordngmen
But the evidence actually warbs out in
their favor. lt shows that Gapon did
not receive any Of the money contributed.
while Count Whites action I'm authorizing
NJ T1mirazen 10 furnish funds for the
legitimate expenses OF the conservativ
organization Is regarded as a justinable
counter move 10 the financing OF the Pos
tai Telegraph union and other political
strike organizations by the League OF
Leagues.
According to a signed statement OF the
central committee OF the Gaponites. the
author or the revelations was himself eN-
PEELED from the organization for accepting
brlbes. The whole odlum OF the trans
action Is thrown on NJ. Matushensky.
Gapons assistant and director OF the
combination. who fg said IN
false 10 both sides and who embezzled
the bulk OF the funds OF the committee.
lie promises, however. to account for
every dollar received. and saws:
The best answer TO the charge that
we wero subsidized 20 play an unworthy
role In the struggle Is the fact that we
are not allowed 20 meet. that our club
houses are still closed and that Gapon
was unable 10 obtain amnesty and was
forced to Zee abroad"
I'm view OF an article published ves-
terday In the official afternoon organ
established by Premier witte. i'm which
reference was made TO the extreme
measures necessary 10 raise n sum 10
cover the budget deficit. which excited
considerable apprehension I'm financial cir
cles here and abroad. Finance Minister
Shipoff today explained that tho phrase
was poorly chosen, No extraordinary
measures for securing money arc CON
10 Is realized In the present financial
condition OF Russia that the terms for
any loans secured must be considerably
more onerous than those OF the loans con-
cludcd prior 10 the outbreak Of the war.
only In this sense could the measures
be termed extreme Though not TAX
Ing too rosy view OF the financial sit
uation. Shlpor said he considered that Il
had been greatly amelloratcd.
The minister WAS unable 10 specify
when the foreign loan negotiations would
recommence, but he intmated that the
United states and Great Britain would
be invited TO participate with the
steady Improvement In internal condl-
tions there was every hope of contiued
Improvement IN tho financial condition.
There is no foundation for the report
That gold payments have been suspended
The financial committee OF the council
OF the Empire at It's session today ac-
cepted tho project 81 enecting an inter-
nal loan of the lottery basis. the bonds
~ which. instead OF interest. have
chances 10 draw prizes az annual draw
ings. The bonds will be issued I'm as
small denominations as SIS I'm order 10
attract small investors The project
awaits The emperors approvel