The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1905-02-10

never been inteud d for taat purpose. bur
was entirely for the protection OF several
large manufacturing enterprises which,
had recently been established Ia Russia
by American capitalists at ms invitation
re explained at great length his policy of
building up mechanical industries in Ieus-
sia by state assistance and by encouraging
state monopolies- lie is 3 man OF gruff.
manner and speaks with a frankness
which is sometimes oifenstTe, but no one
could spend ten minutes ia his company
without recognizing mis- great ability and
force of character.
De Witte srst attracted public attention
while manager of the government railroad
by disobeying orders. 1t was in a great
emergency; nc was compelled TO act
promptly; he had no time 20 explain. and,
being convinced that q mistake had been
made. py his superiors, he had the nerve,
to assume the responsibility of violating
positive orders from headquarters, which
is the most dangerous thing an offciaN
in Russia can do. 1t TUNED out all right
in this case, and De Mit.e received the
personal thanks of the car, but If the re-
suits had been otherwise, he would un-
doubtedly have forfeited his life.
mat illustrates the character and cour-
age OF De White, and IL he is placed IN
control of affairs at this great crisis that
characteristic viii no doubt be displayed
in a conspicuous manner.
There Is no better statesman in RUSSIA
-
honesty or his ability. and he has a pracI
tical rather than a theoretical method of
naa.n @lu .thS ~ ieih%es that e'e7
peoite OF RUSSIA are not III aor seH-goV-
~ ana VIM NOT consent 70 any e1-
reriments. He is a stern, unconpromis-
ing defender of the alltocracy, but at the
Same time is willing to concede 10 property
oNnstS ana u1NPaNcfs a voice III local atlHg
ploNlacla, AFFAIRS. for that reason ne was
eetecteu ny me ear TO confer with me
committee OIL the ZemstNos or proNi.G1as
asSehao!es' composed OF representatives
Niecte" by the househoiders and landed
tioPiiStofs lhfoueaout the empire. me
zHHlstVG fs IN force IN thlrty-lour prov
noes. IN 1908 the number OF electors was
ic,lN2 boyars, or land owners, l96. I7S peas
ant lessee land owners and 4S,U9l taXpay-
efs IN the cities, which is o veiH small
pfopoftlon OF the population OF l4l,VUo.Vo
souls composing the Russian emitre.
ne Wltte mas no religious prejudlees- He
IS equally friendly to the Moharn1nedan.
tlle jew, me PROTESTANT, the Roman Cath
ole or the orthodox Greek, and he has
been a stubborn opponent of religious per-
secuthons ana determinations. His atl-
tli'ie on that question, particularly his
friendly disposition toward the Jews, was
one of the causes Of the active hostility of
Pobiedonosteff, the procurator of the holy
synod, and other member of the hier-
archy- re regards the Jews as one of the
most valuable elements of the population.i
because of their frusality, industry and
talents for business; he believes that they,
should be cultivated.and encouraged in
stead of being condemned, because they
are capable of constituting more than
any otaer class to the wealth of the en-
pre-. lie was opposed TO the war with
Japan. because he believed that it would
Interfere with the agricultural and COM
merclal development of Asiat!c Russia and
the territory tributary to the Siberian
railroad, of which he was the most promi-