The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1905-02-10

Gage in shutting out Russian sugar, had
never been intend d for that purpose. but
entirely for the protection of several
manufacturing enterprises which
had recently been established in Russia
by American capitalists at his invitation.
He explained AT. great length his policy of
hnildils up mechanical industries in RUS
sit by state assistance and by encouraging
state monorolics. He is a man of grutl
manner and speaks with II frankness
which is sometimes offensive. but no one
could spend ten minutes in his company
without recognizing mis- great ability and
force of character.
DE Witte first attracted public attention
while manager OF the government railroad
by disobeyins orders. 1t was in a great
e~mergcncy; he was compelled to act
promptly: he had no time to explain, and,
being convinced that a mistake had been
made by his superiors, he had the nerve
to assume the responsibility of violating,
positive orders from headquarters, which,
is the most dangerous thing an official
in Russia can do. 1t turned out all right
in this case, and De Witte received the
personal thanks of the car, but ii the re-
suits had been otherwise. he would I'M
doubtedly have forfeited his life.
That illustrates the character and cour-
age of DE White, and If he is placed r.
control of affairs at this great crisis that
characteristic will no doubt be displayed
in a conspicuous manner.
There is no better statesman in Russia
today; there is no question as to his
honesty or his ability, and he has a prac-
teal rather than a theoretical method OF
thinking and acting. He realizes that the
people of Russia are not fit for self-gov-
eminent and will not consent to any ex-
periments. He Is a stern, uncompromis-
ing defender of the autocracy, but at the
same time is willing to concede to property
owners and taxpayers a voice in local ana
provincial affairs. For that reason he was
Selected by the czar to confer with the
committee OF the zemstvos or provincial
assemblies, composed Of Representatives
elected by the householders and landed
proprietors throughout the empire. me
zemstvo IS in force in thirty-four prov
inces. In 1909 the number of electors was
0.172 boyars. or land owners. 1861 peas
ant lessee land owners and 4S,09l taxpay-
ers In the cities, which is a vely small
proportion of the population of 14l,OOO,WO
souls composing the Russian empire.
De Wittc has no religious prejudices. He
is equally friendly to the Mohammedan.
the Jew. the Protestant, the Roman Cath
Ole or the orthodox Greek. and he has
been a stubborn opponent of religious per-
secutions and determinations. His att
tude on that question, particularly his
friendly disposition toward the Jews. was
one of the causes Of the active hostility OF
Pobiedonostcff. the procurator of the holy
synod, and other members of the hier-
archy. He regards the Jews as one of the
most valuable elements Of the population,
because OF their frugality. industry and
talents for business: he believes that they
should be cultivated and encouraged IN
stead Of being condemned. because they
are capable OF constituting more than
any other class to the wealth of the en-
pire. He was opposed to the war with
Japan. because he believed that 1t would
interfere with the agricultural and COM
: mercial development of Asiatic Russia and
: the territory tributary to the Siberian
railroad. Of which he was the most promi-
nent promoter.
During his term as minister of finance
T he devoted his great ability and intense
: energy to securing the commercial su-
f prelnacy OF Russia in China Mongolia.
Turkestan, Persia. Afghanistan and other
countries of Asia. Had he been left In
power, he would have avoided war with
e Japan and made commercial instead of
f territorial conquests. Blu when he was
driven from the ministry because of his
: stern and uncompromising hostility to the
speculatiors, corruption and grating OF
the grand ducal ring that surrounds the
emperor. the government drifted rapidly
Is into political complications and war. The
If grand dukes of the imperial family and
If their favorite subordinates, who were
l. robbinG the treasury in every undertaking
found De Witte the chief obstacle to thu
he success of their schemes, aud for that rea
Z, SUI tllty pO-SOIltd liz lllllo u III CLdl
IS against him and secured his remova
Sc eighteen mouths ago.
" While we do not know how far De Witt,
is sympathizes with the proposed reforms
4. because he has not expressed himself OF
10 that subject, his previous record %justific
the opinion that he would not favor a con
lie stitutional government. Judging from hi
1T policy and utterances, While minister o
- finance. it might be expected that h
al would attempt to console the zemstvos b,
l. giving them an intelligent. honest an
economical government and by encour
1t aging the development Of the resources o
I'd the empire. The newspapers have severa
ee times announced that he had been Sc
in lected TO succeed Sviatopolk-Mirsky a
re minister Of the interior, because the LAT
lg ter is too liberal IN his views. and to
IN much in sympathy with the reformers t
he suit the grand dukes and the rest of tn
ry imperial family, but the appointment ha
We not actually taken place.
e. Dc White is what is called a state sc
r ciallst, like Bismarck. He believes in stat
nd ownership of all public utilities. includin
on banks, manufacturing industries. as we
he as railways and navigation lines. He G!
tablished government banks in Persia. Pr
kin. Shanghai, Hankow, Seoul and all tt
at large cities of interior Asia. He wanted
buy up all the iron mills in Russia for Il
he government, which already owns most
Ii the iron mines. 1t was his idea to ha,
ID, the government control the manufactul
and sale of liquor and tobacco. both
he which habe been profitable enterprises. al
on during his administration many large ii
as tcrests. including the telegraph and tel
phone systems, were converted into sta
he monopolics.
n Perhaps the most far-reaching schen
ng that De White ever proposed was that
an establishing a fixed price for wheat |
as international treaty. At his suggestit
ct, the Russian government invited the Uni
to ed States, the Argentine Republic, Indi
to Canada, Egypt and other whe
thy growing countries to join in an agreeme
m to maintain prices and thus protect tt
ley farmers from the fluctuations caused
as speculation and the irregularity of supp
In and demand.
the -
no
in T.