New-York tribune., 1908-11-15
tInuously since his retirement from the supreme
direction Of the navy which ne had held LOT
twenty-four years.

tNcIiIS -AONA SS"AN'
st Petersburg Nov. 1.-THE news of the death
in paris OF the Grand Duke Alexis was received IN
St Petersburg this afternoon. II has made litue
impression on Russian society. The grand dcko'
since his retirement from supreme control OF the
navy had dropped entirely out of the public notice
He had resided chiefly abroad, and he visited 81
Petersburg only for the family anniversaries at
which All the members of the imperial family are
expected b. present. His role in the disastrous
naval campaign with japan has long since been put
into the background by the more important queS-
tons of social reorganization that have arisen since
the war.
Court mourning for three months has been or
dered. The hunt In progress in the vicinity OF
Peterfof was abandoned to-day. on account OF tne
death of the archduke, and the imperial theaties
have been closed The death Of Alexis was an
nornced to the Douma during the election OF
president for that body and at the suggestion OF
NJ KhomyakoH the members rose as marx OF
respect.
The body Of the grand duke VIII be placed tenn
porariIy in the fortress of SITS. Peter and Paul
Tb. late Duke Alexandrovitch Alexis was the
fourth son OF Czar Alexander II. who was the
victim of a bomb IN 1881. lie born on January
"a 1850 in St Petersburg, and educated for
the navy, which he entered at an early age and
In which he held many important pos.'ions In
conjunction with his brothers, Grand Duke~ ser
gius and Vladimir and Grand Duke Alexander
Michael brother-in-law Of the Gar, he ruled Mich
olas II for many years and pluudered the people.
After the severe naval reveTscs in the war with
Japan he was one of those marked for assassina-
ton by the Terrorists. and when his brother Ser
gius died from bomb he sought safety away
from Russia.
When only twenty years old Grand Duke Alexis
fell in love with one OF his mothers maids Of
honor Mile de Reutern and persuaded her to
elope with him. She became bis morgauatic wife,
but after two years spent on the Riviera and In
Italy the Gear broke eff the union and sent the
grand duke on tour around the world. This
was in 1872 and he came 10 this country on the
warship Sveltana- The friendly feeling in this
country toward Russia because OF her attitude tow
ard the Confederacy In the Civil War added 20
the popularity OF the prince. and he had a cordial
welcome. one of the diversions provided FOR him
was buffalo hunt in the West under direction
of General Sheridan. He had hearty social well
come. and was always enthusiastic over this coun-
try.
Grand Duke Alexis became commander In chief
OF the Russian navy and head OF the Ministry OF
Marine with the rank OF chief admiral II
1859 he was involved In a scandal with a countess
and had a quarrel with some Frenchmen In a res
taurant, and deprived of his hOnOrs and
into exile at Vladivostok by the Gar Later he
was recalled and restored TO rank, being put in
supreme control OF the Russian Marine and made
president Of the Admiralty Council. As commander
In chief OF the Russian navy he was the guest OF
the French nation in 1893 A few years later there
were charges OF ineficiency and mismanagenient OF
the navy under Grand Duke Alexis. and there wero
public demonstrations against him. especially I'm
the French Theatre in St Petersburg. in 1904 when
the audience Kissed him from the building He
spent much of his time in Paris and there were
many unfriendly comments in the French papers
account OF his absence from Russia when she
was involved in distress. In June. 1906 Grand
Duke Alexis resigned from the post of head OF
the navy, which he had held nearly a quarter OF
q century. The chief charges against his admin
istration were of extravaganza the construction
of ships. Besides his naval rank. Grand Duke
Alexis was a general in the Russian army and
honorary colonel of the 9Th Regiment of Russian
Hus9ars and OF the 39th Austrian Infantry He
had the reputation Of being the handsomest prince
in Europe, well amiable, easy-going man
OF the world.