New-York tribune., 1905-06-26

classes as well as with the peasantry in Russia,
but also everywhere abroad. Ii is necessary TO ex-
plain that the count is man of such masterfui
character that the Car fears that IL placed once
in a responsible position he would get out OF
hand and disregard both the directions and the
wishes of his sovereign.
These fears are probably well founded. For De
Witte has on more than one occasion allowed It TO
be known that ne considered the Emperor too
ceptible to influences variance with those of his
Ministers, and it is more than likely that If De
Witte to be invested with the powers of Mus
covite penpotentiary for the negotiation of peace
and he realized that by following certain course
he would obtain signal advantages for his country,
he would allow himself to be deferred therefrom
by any recommendations, or even directions. Of the
Emperor.
Then too while Nicholas has the highest regard
for the personal integrity Of De Wite he distrusts
the honesty his encourage. And there again the
Gear has grounds for sentiments OF this
nature For It cannot be denied that the salons OF
Nine De witte, at St. Petersburg, while her nus
band held the office OF Minister Of the Treasury,
were crowded with the leading fnanciers Of the
Russian capital, of her closest friends being
among the biggest operators on the Bourse, enc
naturally when they made particularly successtul
coups presumably the strength of early official
information, there disposition on the part OF
the numerous enemies of De Witte to attribute the
SUCCESS of these to state secrets obtained
either directly from De Wtte or from the countess
De witte has numerous enemies. He is rough
that suavty and somewhat Oriental srnoothness
that characterize the Russian Of patrician piTth
and breeding. Moreover he has profound con-
tempt for the corruption the dishonesty, the req
tape and official etiquette that hamper SO Hluch
all administrative activity In Russia, and being
man Of immense breadth Of view, be does not
conceal his disdain for everything that rs nsTro"
While many people admire him, the vast majority
OF those in authority in Russia especially the high
court dignitaries detest him, and never lose an
opportunity of trying do him bad turn by
putting the worst possible construction on every
thing that he does and says. And the Car, having
De Whites shortcomings constantly dinned into his
ears by his relatives, by his encourage and by
the leading statesmen in Office naturally has enoeo
by becoming distrustful OF his own prejudices In
De Whites favor That Is why De Witte is being
kept in the background
Not only the Japanese put likewise all those VINO
are interested in the success of the negotiations
for peace so admirably inaugurated by President
Roosevelt would however. do well 10 bring every
possible pressure bear upon Emperor NICHOLAS
to appoint as his plenipotentiary Count de Witte.
the only man in Russia who possesses the neees-
sary decision of character TO adopt definite
course in the negotiations accept or decline pro-
posals and If accepted to compel both his
sovereign and his government to conform thereto
De Witte once appointed plenipotentiary. would
not permit himself be repudated, whereas there
would be no guarantee that other Muscovite pleai-
potentiaries might not be dsavowed, on the preex1
that they had rnisconstrued their instructions