New-York tribune., 1904-09-18

fortress, and the attempt ~NEE
would have been about as sue \W&8&54,
cessful in the as in
the other ~ L,
His attitude was entirely favor Grand DUN
able and he said that ne
reason why Russia should not be
mt ,Ipon the same basis the other Governments
mentioned When l suggested putting the facts IN
the form of a written memorandum he SAID he would
he pleased if would do So he then could discuss
the matter more inteIigently with his ministers
He gave me understand that unless some obstacle
then unforeseen should arise all the privileges asked
for would be extended and that II | would remain
in St Petersburg for week would receive formal
notification 10 that effect
Instead of terminating the interview, he continued
TO talk on other topics including the traditional good
relations between the United States and Russia He
EXPRESSED repeatedly his desire that those relations
should be preserved and ccmented, saying that they
were the great young growing countries OF the
world there existed reason so tar as he was
able 10 observe, why they should clash but every
r,ason why they should work together for the better
rnent Of mankind He talked freely about the IN
ternal affairs of Russia and impressed me as a man
most sincerely desiring and purposng to do whatever
Law in his power for the bcttcrmcnt OF the condition
Of his people Many of the difficulties that he
encountered in his work explained and he
smoke with great freedom of the diplomatic contest
then going on between Japan and Russia, saving
that he sincerely hoped that the problem could be
solved without appeal 10 war and adding that he
would do all that ne could consistent with srespect
to bring about such solution.
a
frrnness and decision and it transpired certainly
eynced those qualities in regard to the censorship
against the pronounced opposition of de PlchNe
He is not in any a wcakllng, has been re-
peaedlv declared in print but man OF strong const
tuition and great posc II has been my good fortune
10 meet in audience several sovcrcguS and believe
that with the possible exceptions of the Emperor OF
Germany and the King of England he IS the strongest
monarch in Europe 1t is great mistake TO suppose
that he is weak in any way. There are clements IN
the Russian scheme of government that tend to
the Emperor The facts that he has cOordinated
ministry there jealouses at play at all times
between his departments, and not only Jealouslcs
there but iealousies in the royal household well,
make it exceedingly difficult for him to centralize
the power of the Government would suppose an
autocrat might do.
The conversation in English, which he speaks
without any of foreign accent, his tutor having
been an English clergyman. 1t is also the prescribed
issued while was in St. Petersburg that all the
attendants upon the royal family should speak that
language
At the conclusion of the audience l escorted
back over the intermnabe way by which | had
come and entering the carriage driven to
leave the seven cards according to CUSTOM for the
Master of Ceremonies, the Minister of the Palace the
Minister Of War and four other high officials Within
five hours all these calls returned person by
card
Despite the favorable views expressed by the
Emperor l did not feel that his consent at all a
certainty. De Plehve's opposition still to be
reckoned with and its result yet to be deter
mined
had had a conversation with de Plehve the
subject of the censorship previous to this audience
and while he noncommittal he expressed grave