choice, which is regarded as scandalous, is significant." "The extreme right-wing deputy (A.I. Savenko, a leader of the Black Hundreds) could declare at the session of the Duma on February 29, 1916: A strongly prevailing opinion that Rasputin was the actual ruler of the country was of great psychological importance. Alexei Khvostov and Iliodor concocted a plan to kill Rasputin. Khvostov created the rumour suggesting that Alexandra and Rasputin were German agents or spies. Evidence that Rasputin actually worked for the Germans is flimsy at best. Rather paranoid, Rasputin went to Alexander Spiridovich, head of the palace police, on 1 March. He was constantly in a state of nervous excitement. Khvostov had to resign within a week and Boris Stürmer was appointed in his place. In the same month Minister of War Alexei Polivanov, who in his few months of office had brought about a recovery of the efficiency of the Russian army, was removed and replaced by Dmitry Shuvayev. Because of the stresses of war on an inefficient government and at random politics, bureaucracy, zemstvos. In two months of office, Stürmer succeeded in making the public want Goremykin back. According to Maurice Paléologue he had a taste for history, particularly the anecdotal and picturesque side of history. Again according to Paléologue Stürmer consulted Anna Vyrubova about everything. The French ambassador was aghast, depicting Stürmer as "worse than a mediocrity – a third rate intellect, mean spirit, low character, doubtful honesty, no experience, and no idea of state business." From then everything went down, according to Alexei Khvostov. For War Minister Alexei Polivanov - who both had to leave politics in March 1916 - it was the beginning of the end. Stürmer took over the Ministry of Interior. After he was simultaneously acting as Minister of the Interior and Minister of Foreign Affairs, he was regarded by Rodzianko as a "dictator with full powers". Under his administration, the country suffered drastic inflation and a transportation breakdown, which led to severe food shortages. Russia's economy, which had been growing until the beginning of the Great War, was now declining at a very rapid rate. Stürmer was inclined to peace negotiations but his appointment was received with consternation, as an open affront to the whole nation. In June the Tsar had to decide on the question of Polish autonomy. Stürmer and most of his colleagues were more hostile to the idea than