New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-25
FEARS FOR N. DE WITTE.
His ReUeIations Nag Preclude His
Return to POUer.

It is 10 be feared that NJ de Witte although
ne may be Increasing prestige abroad. is damaging
MS prospects Of return TO power at home, by al
lowing his name to be identified with the several
ndlcontent parties in the Muscovite Empire as
Their Champion II was only the other day that the
TACT was made known abroad in the most
tnoTitative manner that the count had bitterly
opposed the adoption Of the present policy of the
crown toward the grand duchy OF Finland, and
at a meeting of the Council OF the Empire had.
whlie stil Minister OF Finance. vigorously de-
rouneee the project of the Minister OF the In
terror, NJ Plehwe. to modify in any way the rights
OF autonomy and self-government guaranteed to
the Films by their constitution and by the oath
which every Gar takes on his accession.
An almost verbatim report OF the speech dev-
cred on that occasion in behalf OF the grand
ouchy was printed far and wide just before Christ
mas. and now comes equally authoritative in
timaton, which can only proceed from NJ. de
Witte or from his confdants. to the effect that he
had equally strongly opposed the law OF last June
which provided for the sequestration by the gov
ernment Of the s6O,ooo,00o OF property OF the Ar
menian Church. act for which NJ. Plehwe
end NJ PobiedonostZefT. the Procurator OF the
Holy Synod. are mainly responsible, and which
has had the effect OF intensely embittering the
entire Armenian people against the Russian gov
eminent The property was corhscattd on the
deniable ground that it was being used not merely
for the purposes for which it intended. name
". the endowment OF schools. charitable institu-
tons and Of churches but likewise for revolution
ary political propaganda.
Nevertheless, it may be questioned whether the
confscation either timely or polite, and, Of
course, widespread sensation has been created
by the announcement in a letter signed by NJ
HagOpian. president Of the Armenian Patriotic AS
ISOLATION. who. declaring that he speaks with
authority insists that at the meeting Of the
Council OF Ministers. under tho presidency OF the
Gar at which the confscation was decided. NJ
de Witte vehementy opposed il, and exerted him
self most actively but in vain. 10 procure the re-
lection or the postponement Of the measure.
While these stories arc undoubtedly true, yet IL
is dicut to see how It can serve the interests OF
N. de White in his country. that they
should be made thus widely known, especially
abroad and st is be feared TINT this action indi-
Gates that the so frequently announced return to
power OF NJ. de Witts. the most enlightened and
progressive Of Russian statesmen, IS more remote
than we have been led TO believe until now. A
statesman IN Russia who courts popularity at home
and abroad at the expense OF his government may
be regarded doomed IN Tar as the prospects
of his return power are concerned, and the pub
lcation OF tho condolences regarding the political
leanings Of the count especially resented at
this juncture. when Russia IS eatened. In the
event OF war being declared against her by Japan.
with rsings alike in Finland and in that portion OF
the Caucasus where the Arneuians predominant.
Let add that it is mistake to imagine that
the widowed Empress Of Russia shares the views
OF NJ. de Witte, has been repeatedly stated.
Quite the reverse is the case. Her sympathes are
all with NJ Pehwe, who for a time connected
with her household ana in charge Of her charities
Indeed. he his advancement largely to her
good VIII and interest