The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-06-14

ment director or rallroadS. lie TeVlSeu the railroad tariff. reorganized the routes. rebuilt many of the lines and showed himself to be the ablest railway man of the empire. He was then put In charge of the board of public works and rail- ways. the position now held by Prince Hikoff and a little later on was made Minister of Finances or by far the most important officer in the cabinet Of tho czar.
 This was eleven years ago, and since then Witte has almost revolutionized the financial condition of Russia. He has pushed its trade into all parts of Asia. and has reorganized the business at home. He has completed the trans-Siberian road, has extended the roads in Turkis- tan, has put Russia on gold standard and has filled the treasury without or- pressing the people. He is today full of new ideas for the improvement of the em- pire, and he Is slowly but surely better ing the country In commerce and indus try along the lines of modern develop ment.
 How Sergius Witte Looks.
 It was through the American Ambassa- dor to St. Petersburg that got. access to Mir Witte. He received me in the finance department, a great brown building not far from the Nevski on Moika Street. He is busy man, and o'clock had been fixed for the appointment
 At five minutes before that hour l step ped from my droschky and was admitted Ito the department by two stern-looking Russians. long haired and long-bearded, wearing top boots and liveried coats which fell almost to the instep One or them helped me off with my overcoat. the other took my hat and umbrella, and both directed me to the top floor. There was mo elevator. and I walked. hearing an electric bell ringing announcing. as l
 
 floor l found more fiunkies, in livery. and also a bright young official in uniform, who spoke English fiuently, although he was a Russian. He told me that the Min fster was expecting me, and moment later opened the door of his excellency's office and asked me to enter. l did so, and was in the presence of the Russian Secretary of the Treasury.
 Mir. Witte rose, came toward me and held out his hand. He made me welcome and gave me seat near his desk and then sat down himself and talked with me through an interpreter in response to my questions I had good chance to study him during the interview. He is very impressive but simple and unostentatious He talks quietly. does not get excited and apparently has himself well in checK' He Is a big man. He stands six feet one in his stockings, and his frame is strong limbed and muscular. His forehead IS  from it and combed straight back With out a part. He has a rich brown beard and brown eyes rather thoughtful than otherwise. He was dressed in morning suit at the time, but in asking TOT ms signature on a photograph he wrote II on one representing him in his court dress, which is covered with medals and gold lace.
 He smoked a cigarette as he talked, and T noticed beside his chair a tea table with a glass of tea with lemon noaung unon it such as the Russians drink eV- anywhere.
 The American Invasion.
 My firbt question was as to the Amerl- can invasion. I wanted to know some thing as to the chances for American capital and American goods in the lana of the Czar. His Exceliency said:
 "There are plenty of openings here for foreign capital in the way of manufac- lures, We already have some American factories, and others could be introduced at a profit, Russia is on the edge of its development. We have vast number of people and very large country, and the growth must continue for long time to come. As to the profits they will depend largely on the management of the busi- ness. Russia is glad to welcome foreign capital, and to do anything that will ma IeIldHy lAipAONC Ii4S SoAiNitiS4A SA NAAO country"
 ''Is capital safe in Russia ?" I asked.
 Tt is as safe here as anywhere" said MT Witte. "The only questions are those of management and business ability"
 How about American trade with Rus sia-can it not be increased?"
 That is a difficult question" replied the Minister of Finance Russia and the United States are of much the same char -a 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 is not that mutual exchange of commodities that forms the basis of profitable com merce. Nevertheless many of your man ufactures 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 Will 1t affect our trade to any great extent?" That tariff was one of the necessities of the time" replied MT. Witte. "It re- lates only to certain classes of American goods and does not touch others It will probably lessen the im- portation of some things but | other branches of the trade will continue to prosper. It was business necessity" The Russians Like Us. What is the feeling in Russia toward | the United States?
 Politically it Is the best possible. The two governments are on the friendliest l terms. Commercially our relations may be somewhat strained. but that is the out come of conditions which Russia could not control"
 What is Russia doing In Manchuria | your excellency?" said I. Tt Is charged | that you are colonizing the country and | intend to hold it."
 ] That Is net true" replied the Minister 1 of Finance We are doing nothing of F the kind. and 1t Is the intention of the Russian government to refrain from ex- l tending It's rule in that direction. We have a dozen times asserted that We will give 1 the government over to the Chinese just as soon as we possibly can. and this we l expect to do.''
 | The Future of Russia. Your excellency is considered the most 1 advanced statesman in Russia It is gen | orally conceded that within the past ten years you have done more than any oth- CT man for your country and people along broad political lines. I would like to ask you what you hope for the Russia of the | future"
 The future" replied Mir. Witte. after thinking moment the future Is in the l hands of God and destiny. What it will I