Salt Lake Telegram | 1906-05-02 | Page 2 | Witte Quits Reins, is Current Belief

WITTE QUITS REINS, j IS CURRENT BELIEF ST. PETERSBURG, May l.-Absolute confirmation of the reported retirement of Premier Witte, which haa been the sole topic of conversation in political circles today, Is sUU lacking, but In St. Petersburg Peters-burg only a few skeptics express doubt that the once powerful Premier has surrendered sur-rendered the reins. ' Count Witte himself is as silent as the 8phlnx on this subjec. A strong intimation intima-tion was given today that the appearance of Count Wltte's resignation will not be announced until after the convocation of the National parliament and the plausible theory was 'advanced' by people at court that Count Wltte's desmissal . Is not a move in the direction of reaction, but really real-ly is due to a desire on the part of Emperor Emper-or Nicholas to put himself in line with the result of the elections and that his purpose Is to reorganise the Cabinet to meet the new conditions by the Inclusion of some Constitutional Democratic ministers, minis-ters, though the leadership of the ministry will rest In the hands of a man of the Emperor's own choice. ; . Close observers will not be amazed by the retirement of Minister of the Interior Durnovo aa well as of Premier Witte. The Liberal leaders, however, are non-pulsed non-pulsed by the remarkable change of commanders com-manders at the crucial Instant, and are inclined to interpret it as showing that rection has obtained the upper hand. These prophets predict the dissolution of the National parliament and all aprts of retograde movements. There is much speculation as to the probable successor of Premier Witte. Count Ignatieff. who generally Is regarded as one of the leading spirits In the reactionary reac-tionary movemept, but who during the debate de-bate preceding the adoption of the National Na-tional parliament law on September 19, 1906, showed that he could be liberal if the necessity arose, is mentioned Instead of former Finance Minister Kokovosoff, who, however, was received today by Emperor Em-peror Nicholas as the Tsarskoe-Selo palace. pal-ace. M. Goremykln, former minister of the Interior, and M. Akaymoff. minister of Justice, have anounced that they, are not In line for successor. Members of the National parliament are arriving by every train. The approaching session of that body will be chiefly concerned con-cerned with the solution of the acrartan question.- Agrarian troubles already have been resumed In several districts of the country. . Reports received here todav show that the penrntits In the vicinity of Atakarsk have risen, burning the residences resi-dences of the gentry and devaatlng es- 1 tates. J t