The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-07-14
NJ Witte Succeeds MuraVief as
Chief PIenipOtentiary
IS A LEADING STATESMAN
Baron Rosen Is Presented to Presi-
dent Roosevelt and Mr.. Taxa.
hira viii Pay His Respects
to President Today.


peror Nicholas has signed the appoint
ment of NJ Witte, president of the COM
mittee of ministers, to be chief plenipoten-
tiary representing the Russion govern
n ent in the peace negotiations to be con-
Quoted next month in the United States.
The appointment which was signed after
midnight, clothes M. Witte with peni-
potentiary powers.
K Official notification of the designation of
M. Witte to head the nilsson was for
warded to Washington this morning M.
Wtte will take passage on the North
German Lloyd steamer Kaiser Wilhelm
Der Crosse which sails from Cherbourg
July 26.
1t has been intimated that Japan for
mally objected TO certain utterances at
tributed to NJ. Muravieff rejecting upon
The japanese nation but inquiries made
here have failed to obtain any confrma-
tion of the rumor.
Peace Party Is overjoyed.
The peace party is overjoyed at the fact
that the negotiations have been placed in
NJ. Wtte's hands. 1t is the firm belief that
this not only insures a successful termn-
alton of the negotiations, but that M.
Wittee will secure the best possible terms
for his country. Some of the grand dukes
and courters of the Emperor's encourage.
however, are reported TO be furious at
NJ. Witte's selection.
The remarks which Japan is said to
have complained of were made when NJ.
Muravieff was president of the arbitration
| IL t,l. lA1
against Venezuela the claims of the block
ading powers for preferential treatment.
After the delivery of the decision Nj.
Muravieff reviewed the decision and said
the arbitration begun in times of peace
mad ended amid the sinister acts OF war,
which yeas terrible obstacle In the path
CT light and progress In spite OF all good
will no one was secure against an unex-
pected hostile attack A nation was Obliged
to accept war when the Legitimate defense
of honor and liberty was involved. The
lust providence which ruled over battles
would distinguish between right and un-
founded pretensions. AT the end OF thls
war between an European and an Aslatc
peonle the right would shine ont afresh.
The Japanese minister at The hague
asked his government for instructions IN
regard to NJ Muravieff's speech. but the
outcome of this step has never been made
known.
Leading Statesman of Russia.
Sergius Witte. the Russian plenipotenti-
ary, may be regarded as the leading lib
eral statesman Of Russia. For the last
thirteen years he has been one of the
strongest personalities in the Russian
beaurocracy, although his present for
tunes suffered a setback when he was
| compelled to resign the portfolio of min
! lister of finance In August, 1905. and again
| when after being appointed president oil
the council of minister in the same month
his office gradually lost its Importance un-
| til rumor of his intention to resign and
go abroad had been persistently circu-
lated.
witte is about Sc years old and has
steadily worked his way up from the po'
| sition of an under-pald railroad clerk
/ who occasionally acted as porter to many
| of the leading statesmen or Russia, In
| spite of the fact that his enemies are
numerous and include some of the most
powerful men In Russia. A man of large
stature, big-limbed ane muscular. stand.
ing over six feet high, Witte has the rep
utation of being harsh TO his subordinates
but his honesty and ability have never
been doubted even by his worst enemies
He was created a count In 1901.
Familiar with Eastern Question.
| NJ Witte is thoroughly familiar with
! the far eastern question in all of i's
bearings. lie underwstands the japanese
position and fully realized before the
| war that the aggressive policy being pur-
sued under the lead of Viceroy Alexieft
and NJ Bezobrasoff, president Of the Yalu
Timber company, and the coterie of adj
venturers connected with them would
cause Japan to take up the sword. At one
| time Witte talked over the situation with
the Marquis Ito. president of the japanese
privy council, and one of the leading
| statesmen OF Japan. Practically 1t was
Witte's disapprovaI of Russia's far east
ern policy and the creation of viceroy
| In the far east which caused his downfall
| as minister of finance.