Omaha daily bee., 1905-07-18
FEARS CONFERENCE W.. Be A FAlLUR
Believes Terms Of japan Will Be Such thai
Cannot Be Accepted
RUSSIA EXPECTS AlO FROM EUROPE
Statement that Powers VIII BrinE
Pressure 20 Bear on Victors TO
Prevent Humiliation of
MuscOvltes.
IITIoN OF RussIA

ST. PETERSBURG, July I'm witte the
senior Russian peace plenipotentiary, re-
ceived the correspondent OF the Associated
Press at his villa on Yelagin island today.
In according the honor of an interview to
the Associated Press, he said he expressly
desired It stated that he had declined all
previous requests of journalists for inter
views and would decline 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 ne was about to be-
come the temporary guest OF the United
States, and also as a mark of the par
tioular sympathy he felt toward that great
country
NJ. witte spoke in French. After greet
ings. which were cordial, the conversation
gravitated to the high mission with which
the Russian statesman is charged and the
disposition Of the foreign press to interpret
his appointment as an indication that Rus
! sia had desired to make peace at any price
mo. no." said he, Strengthening up in
his chair and speaking slowly and distinctly
as If Weighing the value OF each word I'm
the first place 1 have been designated by
the emperor as his ambassador extraordi-
nary for pour parlers with the Japanese
plenipotentiaries to ascertain whether 1t is
personal views are Of secondary import
A ance, but ~my ideas are in entire ac-
cord with those of my friend. Count Lams-
dorff
'ln serving my emperor 1 have received
precise instructions from his majesty and
shall follow them.
ultimate DecisiOn with Nicholas
THE ultimate decision remains in the
hands Of the emperor and it is for him to
decide the destinies Of Russia. The en-
peror is the friend Of peace and desires
peace, but very much fear that the Jap
anese 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 favors the continuance of the
war outrance-this is a large and in
nuential party, The other, to which
belong, favors peace. / avow It frankly.
because telling the truth has always been
my rule in politics. was for peace be-
fore hostilitles broke out. When the war
began, the situation changed.
Even though there are these two par
ties as to the advisability Of ending the
war in the present circumstances, both
would be united If the Japanese demands
wound the amour proprie of the Russian
people or jeopardized our future as a ma
ton
II am sure II / report that the conditions
of Japan cannot be accepted, Russia will
accept the verdict and the Russian peo-
pie will be ready to continue the war for
years II necessary.
Russia is Not Crushed,
Thirdly, Russia IL not crushed, as the
foreign press has led the world to believe
The interior situation is very serious. 1
A. vaaN
the true Significance of what is happening
IL not understood. Correspondents come
here and talk with few hundred people
In St. Petersburg and Moscow, misin-
terpret what is happening and I'LL the
world with false impressions as to Rus
sia's future.
Russia has little resemblance to west
ern countries To know Russia TO under
stand the soul OF Russian people it is neces-
sary that one should have been born here
or lived many years in Russia. The Gus
toms history. the mental psychology Of the
people are entirely different from those of
western nations and Russia cannot be
Judged by western standards. It is such
an immense country, composed of diverse
elements and interests yet the Russian peo-
pie 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 dlssolu-
uon as great power and is not Obliged
20 accept any conditions offered in spite OF
the military reverses It has sustained
I'VE 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 win pass and
In few years Russia will again take its
place as preponderant power in the
European concert"
Expects Aid from Russfn,
The Novoe Vcemya today prints the fol-
lowing statement OF Russlas position.
which may be inspired;
Russia can consent only. TO such peace
as VIII not affect the dignity or vital inter-
ests OF the empire. To act otherwise would
be fatal 70 Russia and would threaten ali
Japah's assurances that il win NOT restrict
Eur2pean interests in the far east Even
N england and America the voices OF
moral ihstigators can be heard in favor or
lhe Indirect interference Of the powers 20
lnoueIate JapsNs demands. Our plenipo-
tenuaries must remember that they must
aetend the interests not only OF Russia
a1d aS 9sS tbsy UI Nm fhs s other Caucasian powers
nh fails, Washington and perhaps even
N London; our army in the held Is much
stI0nger than II was fifteen months ago
Ihe Hamburger Nachrichten proposes
that Europe Intimate 10 Japan that extreme
demands Will be resisted by Europe In
general, especially Germany This is a
valuable statement. We must ascertain
the acceptable maximum of our Concessions
70 Japan from the European Doint OF view,
and act accordingly
Tho report that NJ. shipoff. director OF the
Treasury department, would not accompany
the Russian pesce commission TO Washing
ton Is incorrect
Witte 10 Sail July 20.
WARRINGTON, July l7-Amhassador
Meyer has cabled the State department
that NJ. Nitte, the Russian chief plenipo-
tertiary to the peace conference. will SAN
from cherbourg on July s5.
N. ROutlxowski May Come.
LONDON, July I'm. Routkowski the