New-York tribune., 1905-07-14
AN ENVOY FOR PEACE.


vief from the Russian Peace Commission, for
reasons which at present are permitted to re-
main obscure might on some accounts be re-
GREETED. Aside from the question of his 1T
ness for the post which was generally ac-
knowledged il creates an unfortunate impress
sion to have so much hesitancy and division OF
counsels displayed by the Russian government.
At all times and above all, at time like this,
it is desirable for nation TO present an un-
hesitating and an unbroken front to the world
In spite of these considerations, however. the
sequel to Mr.. Muravieff's withdrawal is one
upon which Russia is to be congratulated and
in which the world will rejoice. for it Is indica-
tive Of the dominance of a sane policy in Rus
sia and is auspicious of speedy peacemaking
on a substantial basis Of justice and mutual
advantage.
The place vacated by Mr.. Muravief has been
filed by the appointment Of Sergius Witte. the
man Of all men best fitted and most logically
entitled to lead the Russian Peace Commission
Mr. Witte-or Count Witte. for he has the title
though he seldom cares to use it's, like many
of Russias most competent statesmen. not OF
Russian blood He is a Holland Dutchman
and possesses many Of the finest qualities, in
Guiding the integrity, the practically, the indus
trial commercial and financial genius and the
diplomatic foresight of that remarkable race
These gifts and all his energies he has devoted
to the service of Russia with singular fidelity
and efficiency, so that it has become common
place but we'll advised remark that he has done
more for the material advancement of Russia
than any other man of his time. He would
have done much more had his policy not so
often been hampered, and even thwarted, by
the reactonary party. He would have kept
Russia out Of her ill-conceived Manchurian ex-
plot; or. Russia having got into 1t against his
advice. he would have had her keep her prom
ise to the world and withdraw from that coun-
trv He would have cultivated the friendship
of Japan, and would have sought an alliance
with her. instead of despising and trying to
crush her In brief, he would have kept the
peace with honor and profit instead Of pmnging
into this disastrous war. But for time his
enemies were too strong for him. Alexiefr
Bezobrazoff and the rest Of the speculative war
party succeeded in ousting him from office and
shelving him. as they thought and then pushed
on their reckless schemes of conquest History
records few more impressive incidents than
this summoning of Mr.. Witte to rescue the
empire from the plight into which they have
plunged IT,
His appointment, with the plenary power
which he presumably demanded as indispensa-
BILE and which we have from the beginning
assumed the ENJOYS Of both governments must
have means that the peace party is at last
triumphant. II means tnaI even Inore Indu luo
appointment of Mr.. Muravieff did, for, while
the latter is a sincere friend of peace, he has
not been so conspicuously identified with the
peace policy as has Mr.. Witte. AS to its in1-
cations concerning the domestic affairs Of Rus
sia we may not speak so confidently. But 1t
is known that Mr.. Witte is one Of the most
outspoken advocates Of progressive reforms in
the imperial government, and that he not long
ago had the courage to tell the Gar plainly
that If he did not grant the reasonable requests
of the people the people would transform them
into demands and would fulfil them by force,
Consistency would seem to require, then that
since Mr.. Witte is to have a free hand IN
making peace with Japan, the domestic policy
of the empire shall not be permitted to diverge
widely from his well known principles. 1t is
scarcely conceivable that he would be sent
10 make peace abroad and that at the same
time his enemies would be permitted to pro-
woke revolution at home In both foreign and
domestic affairs, therefore his appointment is
TO be regarded as making distinctly for peace.