The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-02
WITTE. IS DISGUSTED
ASKS GEAR TO CHOOSE BETWEEN
 HIM AND DCRNOVO.
story Tn Circulation To the Effect That Already the Emperor Has Accepted the Hesignatien of the
 Premier.

 Associated Press is unable to absolutely confirm the story that Emperor Nich- olas has accepted Premier Witte's res ignAtion. 1t can he affirmed that Count witte has again asked the Emperor to choose between him and Interior Minister Durnovo.
 The correspondent of the Associaf- cd Press moreover called tonight at the Premier's residence in the winter pal ace. Count Witte was dining out and M. Vountch. the chief of the chancel- lory, was suspiciously evssive when questioned regarding the report of the approaching retirement of his superior. T can say nothing, was all he would say. Such a reply in itself may be re- garded as partial confirmation of the rumor.
 Rumors of Count witte's retirement, coupled with the assertion that the em- peror would appoint him president of the council of the empire, have been current since Saturday; but they have been so frequently put in circulation of late that they have attracted but little attention especially in view of the fact that Count Wltte was believed to have definitely downsd his rival. M. Durnovo.
 It appears. however, that Premier Witte's enemies have been only sham ming until the loan negotiations could be finished and that with the con summation of the loan the court in- trigue for the overthrow of the pre- mier and the restoration of M. Durnovo to power were resumed. One of the chief points of Count Witte's strength during his long struggle for supre' macy was the emperor's firm belief that no financial aid would be given Russia by foreign bankers if the pre- mier retired
 With the loan made, Count witte's enemies instantly set to work to con. vince Emperor Nicholas that his use. fulness was ended and that he could be discarded like an old boot.
 The Associated Press is in position to state that Count Witte is utterly disgusted with the turn of events and especially with the possibility that the Emperor might not redeem his promise to dismiss Minister Durnovo before the assembling of the National Parliament and that within a few days the Pre- mier offered the Emperor the alterna- tive of Durnovo or himself. Acord ing to the story Emperor Nicholas Is lending his ear to Premier Wittes foes, but instead of permitting him to drop out of public life. wants him to accept the presidency of the Council of En- pire a position of dignity. but like the
 
 him in 1903. without power.
 The Reich, the organ of the Constitu- tional Democrats, will tomorrow pub fish q story of the acceptance of Pre- mier Witte's resignation. the editor of the paper. Professor Milukoff, claiming to have direct information that the Elm pcror has released Count witte. If M. Witte retires at this critical juncture. M. Kokovsof. formerly min fafar nf "a n urh fa lxy anxious for the premiership. Is likely to succeed him. NJ. Kokovsoff who is also in favor at court. Is a man of lit- tie depth, but suave talker. The re- actionaries believe that such a man is needed to face the national parliament.
 The threatening attitude of the peas ants In the Volga provinces is indicat ed in a telegram received today by Premier witte from M. Stoiypin, Gov ernor of Saratoff. saying that if the national parliament Is dispersed with out settling the land question he will wash his hands of responsibility for what may happen in the provinces. The telegram Is all the more remarka- ble as coming from one of the old Achool of provincial officials whose views are so close to those 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 supplant- ed by a new council one half of the members of which are elective, was held today. Very few members hold over and the emperor is having trou- hle In filling out the number of appoint ed members Nj Guttchkon, Senator Konl and several others decline to accept the seats rendered them on the ground that they should be the gift of the people and not of the crown. The composition of the new council of the empire is largely undetermined. though it will meet on the same day as the re- presentative chamber.
 The great desolate region in the vi- cinity of Yakutsk has been selected AS new Sakhalin to which high politi- cal offenders will be banished The site has been selected because It IS sparselv settled. remote from railroads and escape is considered almost innpos- stble