The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-07-18
WITTE FEARS TERMS WILL BE TOD SEVERE
AFRAID JAPAN. AND RUSSIA WILL RE UNABLE TO
 REACH ACCORD.

Takes Emphatic Exception to Interpre-
 tation Placed on His Appointment as
 Peace Envoy-Russia Will Not Make
 Peace at Any Price--WorId should
 Disobuse Itself Of This Idea-op-
 posing Parties Would Unite for Con-
 tinuation of War If Japan's Demands
 Wounded Russian Dignity or Jeop-
 ardized Her Future.
 St. Petersburg, July HIM. Wittel the senior Russian peace plenipotenti- ary, received the correspondent of the Associated Press at his villa oil Yela- gin Island at 9:S0 o'clock this morn- lng.r
 M. Witte spoke in French. After greetings, which were. cordial, the con yersation gravitated quickly to the high mission with which tile Russian statesman is charged and the disposi- tion of the foreign press to Interpret his appointment as an indication that Russia had decided to make peace at any price.
 No No!' said his esdmrlne " straightening up ill hi
 speaking slowly and dist
 Weigning the value of each them toi the first place, have been deslg by the emperor as his and5assador . traordinary for pourparlers with the Japanese plenipotentiaries to ascertain whether 1t is possible to conclude a treaty of peace. My personal views are of secondary importance, but my ideas are in entire accord with those sof my friend, Count Lamsdorf (foreign min- ister1.
 In serving my emperor, have res ceived precise instructions from his majesty and shall follow them.
 "The ultimate decision remains in the hands of the emperor and it ia for him to decide the destinies of Rus sia. The emperor is the friend of peace and desires peace, but very much fear that the Japanese terms wjl8 be such that we will be unable to reach an accord.
 Secondly, tae world should disabusA its mind of the idea that Russia wants peace at any price. There are two parties in Russia. One fayors the con- tinuation of the war entrance -this is large and influential party. The other which I belong, favors peace. T avoW it frankly, abeeaals cling the truth has always bef fI3 my rule In r,c,i-l ties. was for peace before hostilitiea broke out. When the war began, the situation changed.
 'Fven though there are these two par- l ties, as to the adyisability of ending the war in the present circumstances, both would be united if the Japanese de- mands wounded the amour propre of the Russian people or jeopardized our future as nation.
 T am sure if report that the cons ditions of the Japanese cannot be ac-s cepted Russia will accept the verdicu and the Russian people will be readyy to continue the war for years, if ne~ cessary.
 Thirdly, Russia is not crushed as the foreign press has led the world tnN4 believe. The interior situation is verye 1 serious, do not deny; but in Europe and America the true Significance of what is happening is not understood. Correspondents come here and tall1s with a few hundred people in St. Pe- tersburg and Moscow, misinterpret what is happening, and fill the world with false impressions as to Russia & future.
 Russia has little resemblance to western countries. To know Russias to understand the soul of the Russian people, it is necessary that one shouId have been born here or lived many years in Russia. The customs, history and mentality of the people are entire- l ly different from those of western na- ttons. and Russia cannot be Judged by western standards. It is such an ina~ mense country, composed of diverse elements and interests, yet the Russian people are like great family. At present they are torn by internal dis- sensions, but these divisions would disappear should the people really feel that the integrity of the country and it's future destiny were at stake Russia is not on the verge of lisso- ] lution as great power and is nof obliged to accept any conditions offer- ed, in spite of the military reverses she has sustained.
 F 5''We 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 will pass, and in a few years Russia. will again take her place as a preponderant;s power in the European concert. Es E+7 -, |