Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-06-13

stepped from my droschky and was ad-
mltted to the department by two stern
looking Russians, long haired and long
bearded, wearing top boots, and liyeried
coats which fell almost to the instep.
one of them helped me off with my
OverCOat, the other took my hat and
umbrella, and both directed me to the
top iloor There was no elevator, and
walked, hearing an electric bell ring
ing, announcing, as | supposed, my APP
proaCh. on the third floor | found more
ilunhes, in livery, and also a bright
young official In uniform, who spoke
English lluently, although he was q
Russian He told me that the minister
was expecting me, and a moment later
opened the door Of his eXcelencys Of
flee and asked me TO enter. ! did so,
and was In the presence Of the Russian
secretary Of the treasury,
Mr. White rose, came toward me and
held out his hand. He made me welcome
and gave me a seat near his desk and
then sat down himself and talked with
me through an Interpreter In response
20 my questions. / had a good chance 10
study him during the interview He Is
very impressive, but simple and unos-
tentatious. He talks quietly, does not
get excited and apparently has himself
well In check, He Is a big man, lie
stands six feet one In his stockings, and
his frame Is strong-limbed and muscu-
lar His forehead is very high and full,
with brown hair rising from It and
combed straight back without a part
lie has rich brown beard and brown
eyes rather thoughtful than otherwise
He was dressed in a morning suit at
the time, but in asking for his signature
on photograph he wrote II on one rep
resenting him In his court dress, which
Is covered with medals and gold lace,
He smoked a cigarette as he talked
and ! noticed beside his chair a tea
table with a glass Of tea with a lemon
floating upon It, such as the Russians
drink everywhere
THE AMERICAN INVASION.
My first question was as to the Amer
lean invasion. | wanted 10 know some
thing as to the chances for American
capital and American goods in the land
Of the Czar His eXcelency said:
There are plenty Of openings here for
foreign capital in the way Of manufac-
lures. We already have some Amerl-
can factories, and others could be intro
duced at profit We have a vast mum.
Der Of people and a very large country,
and the growth must continue for a
long time to come. AS to the profits,
they Will depend largely on the manage.
ment Of the business Russia is glad
TO welcome foreign capital and 10 do
anything that will materially improve
the condition OF the country
rs capital safe in Russian" | asked.
1T is az safe as anywhere" said
Mr.. Witte. THE only qeustions are
those of management and business abll-
ity"
How about American trade with
Russia-can 1t not be increased?'
THAT is a difficult question" replied
the minister Of finance. Russia and the
United States are OF much the same
character. We both have an abundance
Of raw material, such as grain, lumber
and minerals. We have petroleum. and
SO have you The result Is you do not
need what We have to SELL and there Il
not that mutual exchange of commodi-
ties that forms the basis OF profitable
commerce. Nevertheless many Of youi
manufactures are in demand here. This
is especially so with your farming and
other machinery"
THE TARIFF.
How about the tariff which you have
recently put on American goods VIII
II affect our trade to any great eXtent?"
THAT tariff was one Of the necessities
OF the time" replied MIR. Wltte, 1T
relates only 10 certain classes Of Ameri-
can goods and does not touch others.
II VIII probably lessen the Importation |
OF some things, but other branches OF |
the trade viii continue to prosper. II
was a business necessity"
What is the feeling in Russia to- |
,varl tho Ifnita1 Statag9r