Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1905-07-19
WITTE INTERVIEWED.
First and Only One That He Will
Give Out.
HONORABLE RESULT.
RussiGn Statesman Says His Country
Prefers That the War Continue
Rather Than Have DiAaon.
orable Peace.

ST. Petersburg. July is.-M. witte.
the senior Russian peace plenipoten-
tiary. received the correspondent Of
the Associated Press at his villa on
Yelagin island Monday. In according
the honor OF an interview TO the Asso-
ciated Press he said he expressly de-
sired Il stated that he had declined all
previous requests Of journalists for In
teryievs and would decline all further
requests. He further said that he
made an exception In the case Of the
Associated Press. as II was the repre-
sentative OF the press Of the United
States. and as he was about to become
the temporary guest OF the United
States. and also as a mark OF the
sympathy he felt toward that country.
NJ. Witts 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 disposi-
tion of the foreign press 10 interpret
his appointment as am indication that
Russia had decided TO make peace at
any price.
NO mol" said he. Strengthening up
In his chair and speaking slowly and
distinctly as II weighing the value OF
each word. In the first place. I have
been designated by the emperor as
his ambassador extraordinary for pour
psrleurs with the japanese plenipoten-
tiaries 10 ascertain whether u Is possi-
bic 10 conclude a treaty Of peace. My
personal views are OF secondary i'm
portance. but my ideas are In entire
accord with those OF my friend. Count
Lamsdorn
In serving my emperor. have re-
ceived precise instructions from his
majesty and shall follow them.
"The ultimate decision remains In
the hands Of the emperor and Il Is FOR
him TO decide the destinies OF Russia.
The emperor II the friend Of peace and
desires peace. but very much fear that
the japanese terms win be such that
We VIII be unable 20 reach an accord.
Secondly. the world should disabuse its
mind OF the idea that Russia wants
peace at any price. There are two
parties On Russia. one favOrs the con-
tinuation 81 the war outrance-this
is large and influential party
4 he other. 90 which I belong. favors
peace. / svow Il frankly because. tell
ing the truth has always been my rule
ia politlcf ! was for peace before hos
tilities broke out when the war began
the situation changed
Even though there are these two
parties as 10 the advlsability Of end
ing the war in the present circum-
stances. both would be united n the
japanese demands wounded the amour
propre Of the Russian people or ieop-
ardlzed our future as "a nation.
I am sure II ! report that the con-
ditious OF Japan cannot be accepted
Russia viii accept the verdict and the
Russian people viii be ready 20 con-
tlnue the war FOR years II necessary.
Thirdly. Russia Is not crushed as
the foreign press has led the world 90
believe. The interior situation II very
serious, l do not deny. but In Europe
and America the true significance OF
what Is happening Is not understood
Correspondents come here and talk
with a few hundred people In ST. Pc
tersburg and Moscow. misinterpret
what II happening and fll the world
with false Impressions as to Russia's
future"