Ambassador Meyer to the Secretary of State.
St. Petersburg, May 15, 1906.
Sir: I beg leave to report that on May 2 Count Witte’s resignation was accepted and the Czar named Goremykin to succeed him.
Since then all the ministers have resigned, and the cabinet is now made up as follows:
[Page 1337]Stolypin, late governor-general of Saratoff, a conservative bureaucrat with a good past. The Liberals in the Douma are said not to object to him as minister of the interior.
Schwanebach, imperial controller. Formerly had a controversy with Witte by espousing the cause of a silver standard. Has been minister of agriculture.
Major-General Schaufuss, minister of ways and communications, late chief of administration of railways.
Stishinsky, minister of agriculture, late political secretary to the Czar, son-in-law of Plehve. Considered a strong man, something like Trepoff.
Izvolsky, minister for foreign affairs. Former minister at Copenhagen. This appointment has been foreshadowed for some time.
Kokovtzeff, minister of finance. Held same position previous to Witte being named premier. Well known, and has been instrumental in placing the last loan.
Kaufmann, minister of education. Served in the imperial chancery, a senator, and during the war was representative of the Red Cross. His father a well-known general.
Scheglovitoff, minister of justice, known as an able lawyer and eloquent speaker, said to be liberal.
Prince Shirinsky-Shikmatoff, Holy Synod, master of the court, senator, connected with many societies.
Admiral Birileff continues to be minister of marine, as does General Rediger minister of war, and Baron Fredericks remains minister of the imperial court.
I have, etc.,