Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1905-07-22
RUSSIA'S Chief
ENVOY TALKS

st. Petersburg, July 19.-M. Witte,
the Russian plepipotentiary, received
the correspondent of the Associated
Press at his villa on Yeligan island
In according an interview, he said he
| expressly desired it stated that he had
declined all previous requests of Jour-
nalists for interviews and would de-
cline all future requests. He further
| said that he made an exception in the
case of the Associated Press, as it was
the representative of the press of the
United States, and as he is about to
become the temporary guest of the
United States, and also us mark of
the particular sympathy he felt toward
that great country.
NJ. 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 DISPOSE
ton of the foreign press to interpret
his appointment as an indication that
Russia had decided to make peace at
any price.
No, no, he said, Strengthening up
III his chair and speaking slowly and
distinctly, as if weighing the value of
each word. I'm the first place, | have
been designated by the emperor as his
ambassador extraordinary for pour
parleurs with japanese plenipotentiar-
les to ascertain whether it is possible
to conclude treaty of peace. My per-
sonal views are of secondary import
ance, but ideas are in entire accord
with those of my friend, Count Lams-
dorff.
In serving my emperor, however,
have express instructions from his ma
esty and shall follow them.
The ultimate decision rests in the
hands of the emperor, and it is for him
to decide the destines of Russia. The
emperor is a friend of peace and de-
slres peace, but | very much fear that
the Japanese terms will be such that
we will be unable to reach an accord.
Secondly, the world should disa-
buse 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.
This is large and influential party.
The other. to which | belong, favors
peace. / avow it frankly, because tel
ling the truth has always been my rule
in politics. | was for peace before
hostilities broke out. When the war
began the situation changed.
Even though there are those two
l,t l.
japanese demands wounded the amou
propre of the Russian people, or jeo-
, pardized our futuTeas nation.
81 am sure if | report that the con-
ditions of Japan can not 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
hte foreign press has led the world to
believe. The intreior situa zion is very
serious, | do not deny, but in Europe
an 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 hap
|
impressions as to Russia s future.
Russia has little resemblance to
western countries. To know Russia,
to understand the soul of the Russian
people, it is necessary to have been
born here or lived many years in Rus
STA. The customs and history of the
people are entirely different from those
OF western nations, and Russia can not
be judged by western standards. 1t is
such an immense country, composed of
diverse elements and interets, yet the
Russian people are like a great family.
''At present they are torn by internal
discussions, 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 disso-
luton as great power and it is not
obliged to accept any conditions of
peacei n 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 others still in
store, but the crisis will pass, and in
few years Russia will again take her
place as an preponderant power in the
European cOncourse,