Gilpin observer., 1905-07-20
RUSSIAN ENVOY TALKS
DESIRES PEACE ON FAIR TERMS
M. Witte Says Russia Can still Fight
Situation Not Understood by
Western People.

st. Petersburg. July Ism. Witte,
the senior Russian peace plenipoten-
tiary, received the correspondent of
the Associated Press yesterday. In ac-
cerding the honor of an interview he
expressly desired it stated that he
had declined all previous requests of
journalists for interviews and would
decline all future requests.
He further said that he made an ex-
ception in the case of the Associated
Press, as it 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
mark of the particular sympathy he
felt toward that great country.
mo, no." said he, Strengthening up
in his chair, and speaking slowly and
distinctly as if weighing the value of
each word. "In the first place, have
been designated by the Emperor as his
ambassador extraordinary for pour
parleurs with the Japanese plenipoten-
tiaries to ascertain whether it is pos
s1ble to conclude treaty of peace. My
personal views are of secondary impor-
tance, but my ideas are in entire ac-
cord with those of my friend, Count
Lamsdorff.
In serving my Emperor, have re-
ceived express instructions from his
majesty and shall follow them The ul-
innate decision remains in the hands
of the Emperor and it is for him to de-
eide the destinies of Russia. The EN-
peror is the friend of peace and desires
peace, but l very much fear that the
Japanese terms will be such that we
will be unable to reach an accord.
Secondly, the world should disabuse
its mind of the idea that Russia wants
peace at any price. There are two
parties in Russia. One of them favors
the continuation of the war to the last
extremity-this is a large and infiu-
entail party. The other, to which be-
long, favors peace. l avow it frankly,
because telling the truth has always
been my rule in politics. l was for
peace before hostilities broke out
When the war began, the situation
changed.
Even though there are those two
parties as to the advisability of ending
the war in the present circumstances,
both would be united if the Japanese
demands wounded the amour propre OF
the Russian people or jeopardize our
future as nation.
Il 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 to
believe. The interior situation is very
serious, do not deny, but in Europe
and America the true significance of
what is happening is not understood.
Correspondents come here and talk
with few people in st. Petersburg
and Moscow, misinterpret what is
happening, and fill the world with
false impressions as to Russia's fu-
ture.
Russia has little resemblance to
western countries. To know Russia.
to understand the soul of the Russian
people. it is necessary that one should
have been born here, or lived many
years in Russia. The customs, his
tory. the mental psychology of the
people are entirely different from
those of western nations and Russia
cannot be judged by western stand
ards. 1t is such an immense country
composed of divers elements and in
terests, yet the Russian people are
like great family. At present they
are torn by internal dissensions, but
these divisions would disappear should
the people really feel that the integrity
of the country and its future destiny
were at stake.
Russia is not on the verge OF dis
solution as a great power and is not
obliged to accept any conditions Of
fered. in spite of the military reverses
she has sustained.
I'VE are passing through an inter-
nal crisis, which has been marked by
many grave events. and which may
have others still in store. but the crisis
will pass. and in few years Russia
will again take her place as a pre-
pOnderant mower in the EurOnean