The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-07-18
PEACE, IF IT
 IS HONORABLE Russia Will Not Accept Unreasonable Terms. INTERVIEW WITH WITTE Gives Insight Into Attitude
 of Bear. Rather Than Agree to Anything Unjust to Her, the Csar's Nation Will
 Fight on for Years to

St. Petersburg. July 17.--M. Witte, the senior Russian peace plenipoten- tiary. received the correspondent of the Associated Press at his villa at Yelagin Island today. In according the honor of an interview to the Associated Press, he said he expressly desired 1t stated that he had declined all previous re- quests of journalists for interviews and would decline all further requests. He further said that he made an ex- ception in the case of the Associated Press, as 1t was the representative Of the press of the United states. and as he was about to become the temporary guest of the United States. and also as a mark of the particular sympathy he felt toward that great country.
 M. Witte spoke in French After greetings, which were cordial, the con- versation gravitated quickly to the high mission with which the Russian statesman Is charged and the disposi- ton of the foreign press to interpret his appointment as an indication that Russia had decided to make peace at any price.
 his chair and speaking slowly and dis tinctly, as if weighing the value of each word. 'In the first place. have been designated by the Emperor as his ambassador extraordinary for pour par leurs with the Japanese plenipotentia- ries to ascertain whether 1t is possible to conclude a treaty of peace. My per- aonal views are of secondary import ance. but my ideas are in entire accord with those of my friend. Count Lams- dorff.
 Tn serving my Emperor. have re- ceived precise instructions from his majesty and shall follow them The ultimate decision remains in the hands of the Emperor and 1t Is for him to de- eide the destinies of Russia. The Elm peror is the friend of peace and desires peace, but very much fear that the Japanese terms will bc such that we will be unable to reach an accord,
 "Secondly, the world should disabuse It's mind of the Idea that Russia wants peace nt any price There are two par ties in Russia. One favors the con- tlnuance of the war. This is a large and influential party. The other to which I belong. favors peace. I avow 1t frankly because telling the truth has always been my rule fin politics. I was for peace before hostilittes broke out When the war began. the situa- tion changed.
 Would Unite, if Necessary.
 Even though there are these two parties, as to the advisability of end ing the war in the present cfrcum- stances bOtH pO uhAtS1 sA Shc ~o- panese demands wounded the amour propre of the Russian people or Jeopar- dized our future as a nation.
 "I am sure if l report that the con- ditions of Japan cannot be accepted. Russia will accept the verdict and the Russian people will be ready to con- tinue the war for years if necessary.
 Thirdly, Russia is not crushed. as the foreign press has led the world 70 believe. The interior situation is very serious, do not deny. but in Eu- rope and America the true significance of what is happening is not understood. Correspondents come here and talk with few hundred people in St. Pe- tersburg and Moscow. misinterpret what is happening and fill the world with false impressions as to Russia's future.
 Russia has little resemblance to Western countries. To know Russia. to understand the soul of the Russian people. 1t Is necessary that one should have been born here or lived years in Russia The customs. history and men, tai psychology of the people are en- tirely different from those of Western nations, and Russia cannot be Judged by Western standards. It is such an immense country. composed of divers clements and interests; yet the Russian people are like a great family At present they are torn by internal dis sensions but these divisions would dis appear should the people really feel that the integrity of the country and it's future destiny were at stake.
 Russia is not on the verge of disso- lution as a great power. and Is not obliged to accept any conditions offered. in spite of the military reverses she has sustained.
 We are passing through an internal crisis which has been marked by many grave events and which may have oth- CTS still in store. but the crisis will pass and in few years Russia will a gain take her place as a preponderant power In the European concert"