The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-07

the first time In the history OF
- Russia. one Of the highest officials
of the nt-indeed. 10 less a
person than the minister of the interior,
NJ. Won PleEve-a few days before his
death consented 10 be interviewed in
extenso and on subjects that always
have been considered as forbidden
ground in the land of the Great White
Gar
The Russian secret pOlice-around
which so much romance has been writ
ten. Nihilism. Tolstoy and the politico-
sociaI-economic conditions affecting the
government and the people were the
subjects most under discussion, and 1t
is only fair. at the outset, to state that
this remarkable favor shown TO the
men Of letters" as the newspaper men
here are fiatteringly termed, is due, IN
a large extent, TO the American press
invasion so daringly accomplished by
Melville Stone.
In America. one can have no adequate
idea Of. the conservatism of the Russian
official as affecting matters for publica-
ton. and so it is impossible TO convey
anv proper impression Of the liberality
of mind that now is displayed in this
regard.
Hard to Get Interview.
The government officials are now alb
sorbing the thought that the truth IS
wiser than fiction, that articles concern
ing Russia are bound to reach the for
eign prints, and that persistent official
silence on all matters affecting the pub
lie policy is bound 10 lead to specula-
tive comment that will be injurious.
Not that the men in the governmental
Offices are unavoidable or communica-
tive on all matters. From the American
standpoint, quite the reverse is the case,
for Notwithstanding the hberality OF
mind OF M Won Plehve, it took Just
little more than two months OF time TO
secure an audience with him. In which
period seventeen letters passed between
the writer and various under secretaries.
and in which were introduced 1--WE letters
OF Endorsement as to the honesty OF
purpose and general character and
standing Of the ''suppliant
Brilhancy of Plehve.
But at last matters We're arranged,
and II was worth the wait and the red
tame TO talk TO a man blessed with the
mentality Of Won Plehve. He was not
man OF very marked personality, but he
bore himself with a dignity, a reserve
and an exquisite poIiteness, that stamped
him at once as an aristocrat, and gen
tIeuan OF most sensitive culture.
PIehve's mind worked quickly, indeed,
with lightning-like rapidity. HIS an
syvers were immediate, so much so that
they sounded at times perenptory He
never qualified. His mind threshed out
a problem in a second, ana the oeciSlon
was final. He grasped your questions
Of OLLGn
before they were uttered.
Hair Stood Straight.
The minister's iron-gray hair was
worn brushed back from his forehead
until II stood almost on end. II waved
trregularly, and resembled bent wire
more than hair.
Yet Won Plehve did not look fierce;
his face was round, his body stout-you
might say fat-he was big man with
big brain. and those who knew the more
personal side of his character, say with
p big heart He was the personal friend
and most trusted conhdant Of the Gar,
the man who knew more OF the projected
destiny Of his country than any living
being and. beyond all doubt the most
powerful man behind the throne Of Rus
Knew All About 1t.
you wish 10 gather some authentic
information regarding my police. the
natural enemy Of government. the Mill
list the political conditions surrounding
the people Of Russia" said Won Plehve.
He said this after the manner Of an
announcement rather than in an inter
rogative sense-then-"will you not seat
yourself?''
I had hoped 10 lead the minister gent
" 10 talking on these subjects. but II
soon became evident that he was fully
familiar with every detail Of the desired
interview. a bundle OF papers fastened
together with red silk that lay on his
desk. and which before he spoke further.
he closely examined, ! learned, later,
referred exclusively 10 the subject mat
ter he had at hand.
Copies OF the letters sent 10 and from
the department Of the interior, secret
police reports. and other documentary
evidence OF a similar nature were ar
ranged in logical order. and the result
was a perfect knowledge Of the situa-
ton on the part of Won Plehve.
There even was a portrait--presumably
Of myself-among the reports. The Rus
sian makes no mistakes from overcon-
hdence.
Questioner Questioned.
Tell me something OF your govern
ment your people. your freedom. your
Institutions" remarked the minister.
Was he trying % turn the scales. and
interview the Interviewer He listened
attentiYely 20 an outline OF the Ameri-
can system OF national election. the
elective JudiciaTy-in which he was
most interested-the rights Of States. and
their local police jurisdiction. the pow
ers OF the governors Of States. the
National Guard. the State legislatures
the method OF election 20 the United
States Senate. the veto powers of gov
ernOrs and Of the President; but IL was
evident he was familiar with all Of these
things, Cor he punctuated every remark
with q nod OF his head and a lowly
spoken Eyes. know" or yes. 1 Sec;
or y understand, yes, yes" Then he