The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-18
M. WiIte Says World Has Been Filled With False Impress
 sions About Russia
COUNTRY IS NOT ON THE
 VERGE OF DISSOLUTION
if Japan's Conditions Cannot Be Ac- cepted He Is Sure Russians Are Willing to Fight on for
 Years If Necessary.

St. Petersburg July I'M witte, the ceived the correspondent of the Associated Press at his villa on Yelagil island to- day. In according the honor of an in- terview to the Associated Press he said he expressly desired to state that he had declined all previous requests of journa- lists for interviews, and would decline all further requests. He further said he made an exception in the case of the Associated Press, as 1t was the represen- tative of the press of the United States, and he was about to become the tenn porary guest of the United States and also as mark of the particular sympathy he felt toward that great country. M Witte spoke in French. After greetings, which were cordial, the conversation graviated quickly to the high mission with which the Russian statesman is charged, and the disposition of the foreign press to interpret his appointment as an indi- cation that Russia had decided to make peace at any price.
 Personal Views Secondary.
 ''No, mo-" said he, strengthening up in his chair, and speaking slowly and dls- tinctly as if weighing the value of each word Tn the first place l have been designated by the Emperor as his am bassador extraordinary for pour parleurs with the JapanFse plenipotentiaries to as certain whether it is possible to conclude a treaty of peace. My personal views are of secondary importance, but my ideas are in entire accord with those of my friend, Count Lamsdorff.
 Tn serving my Emperor I have re- ceived precise instructions from his ma jcsty, and shall follow them
 In Hands of Emperor.
 "The ultimate decision remains in the hands of the Emperor, and it is for him to decide the destinies of Russia. The Emperor is the friend of peace and de- sires peace. but l very much fear that the Japanees terms will be such that we will be unable to reach an accord. Sec ondly, the world should disabuse it's mind of the idea that Russia wants peace at any price. There are two parties in Rus sa One favors the continuation of the war and outrance-this is large and in- fuential party. The other, to which belong, favors peace. l avow it frankly because telling the truth has always been my rule in politics. I was for peace be- fore hostilities broke out. When the war began the situation changed.
 Even though there are these two parties as to the advisabilty of ending the war in the present circumstances. both would be united if the Japanese de- mands wounded the amour proper of the Russia people, or jeopardized our future as a nation.
 Will Accept His Verdict.
 'I am sure that if 1 report that the conditions of Japan cannot be accepted, Russia will accept the verdict and the Russian people will be ready to continue the war for years if necessary.
 Thirdly Russia is not crushed as the foreign press has led the world to be- lieve The interior situation is very serious, I do not deny but in Europe and America thS true significance of what is happening is not understood Cor respondents come here and talk with a flaw hundreds of people in St. Petersburg and Moscow, msinterpret what is hap pening. and i'll the world with false i'm pressons as to Russias future.
 People Ar, Entirely Different.
 '.Fussia has little resemblance to west ern countries. To know Russia, to un- derstand the soul of the Russian people, il is necessary that one should have been horn here or lived many years in Rus sa. The customs, history and mental psychology of the people are entirely diff ferent from those of western nations, and Russia cannot be judged by western standards It Is such an immense coun- tty, composed of divers elements and in- tsrests, yet the Russian people are like d great family. At present they are torn by internal dissensions, but these divi- sons would disappear should the peo- pIe really feel that the integrity of the country and it's future destiny were at stake.
 Not on Verge of Dissolution.
 Russia is not on the verge of dissolu- tion as a great power. and is not obliged to accept any conditions offered in spite of the military reverses she has sus- tained.
 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 a few years Russia will again take her place as preponderant power in the European concert.
 Peary Passes Through Boston.
 Boston. July l7.-commander Robert E. Peary. the Arctic explorer. arrived in