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Show HEAD OF RUSSIA'S ARMY IS DEPOSED Grand Duke Nicholas, Master Mas-ter of Strategy, Given Minor Position. SPECULATION IS RIFE Doubt Expressed That Czar Will Himself Direct Troops' Operations. LONDON, Sept. 8, 2:50 p. m. Grand I'uke Nicholas of Russia, who had been acclaimed as one of the greatest strategists strate-gists of the war for his masterly retreat re-treat in the face of the Austro German onslaught, has been relegated to the comparatively unimportant post of loader of the Russian forces opposing the Turks in the Caucasus. Nominally the graud duke is succeded by the em peior. What military man or what general gen-eral staff will in fact assume it he active leadership of Russia's hard pressed forces is not announced in tho emperor's order relieving the grand duke of his important pott. On Thlirs.lsV. IflCt r'.nnaf-al AUl,.,- was appointed chief of the grand duke V stuff. Some military commentators hazard the guess that' upon his shoulders shoul-ders will fall the chief responsibility. Tho removal of Grand IHike Nicholas came as a great surprise to England. With winter approaching it was believed be-lieved that, with a shortage of 'ammunition 'ammuni-tion and other difficulties, he had accomplished ac-complished all that was humanly possible possi-ble in the circumstances. His t'ransfer, therefore, was from a clear skv and marks the most important chnnge of command in any army during the great war. Alexiev May Take Lead, It is the general impression here that Emperor Nicholas will not determine personally upon the strategic formula to be followed, but will entrust tthe destinies desti-nies of his armies to the chief of the general staff. As the religious head of the Russian nation, the emperor's move, it is point fed out, should prove to be a great moral stimulus to his troops. It is also re garded here as disposing effectuallv of Nimors that Russia contemplates conclusion conclu-sion of a separate pea-e. Tn relieving the grand duke, the emperor em-peror addressed a communication to him which read : At the beginning of the war t waa unavoidably prevented from following the Inclination of my soul, to put myself my-self at the head of tha army. That was why I Intrusted vou with the commandershlp in chief cf all the land and sea forces. Under the eyes of all Russia vour imperial highnesa has given proof during the war of a steadfaat braverv which has caused a feeling of profound pro-found confidence and called forth the sincere good wishes of all who followed fol-lowed your operations through the inevitable in-evitable vicissitudes of war. Places Country First. been intrusted to me by God, impels me today, when the enemy has penetrated pene-trated into ihe interior of the empire, to take supreme command of the active ac-tive forces and to share with the army the fatlgnie of war and to safeguard with It Russian soil from attempts of the enemy. The ways of Providence are inscrutable, but my duty and my desire determine me In mv resolution for the good of the state. The Invasion of the enemy on the western front, which necessitates the greatest possible concentration of civil and military authorities, as well a a the unification of command in the field, has turned our attention from the southern front. At this moment I recognize the necessity of your assistance as-sistance and counsels on the southern front, and I appoint you viceroy of the Caucasus and commander In chief of the .valiant Caucasian army. T express to your imperial highness my profound gratitude and that of the country for your labors during the war. |