New-York tribune., 1905-08-03
PEACE ENVOY HERE
". WITTE"S BIG WELCOJIE.
Russians and SIars Unite to Greet
Him-His statement.

NJ Sergius ]. Witte. Fussia's chief peace pIen-
ipotentiary. president OF the Cars Council OF
Ministers and ex-NIinister of Finance arrived
yesterday in this city board the steamship
Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse accompanied by his
advisers and secretaries. The big liner was
nearly day late in arriving. having been de-
tanned by fogs at Cherbourg-
From early yesterday morning until = o'clock
in the afternoon. when the steamship arrived at
Quarantine, crowds of NJ. Whites compatriOts.
augmented ny sympathetic SIavs. waited anx-
iously to greet Russia's man Of destiny" His
reception down the bay, where he was met by
Consul General Ladygensky and members of the
Russian diplomatic and consular corps, was en-
thusiastc. but his reception at the pier in Hobo
ken was demonstrative, even Americans joining
in the noisy welcome. 1t with great diff
Guilty that Detective Sergeants Foye and Dow
ney, of the Central Office. assisted by the Ho-
boken police, cleared a way to M. Whites car
riage, which took him, to the St. Regis Hotel
> Reporters who elaInhered over the side OK the
Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse at Quarantine were
received by the Cars representative with sol
emn cordiaHty. NJ. Witte does not speak Eng
iish but through Professor de Martens. teacher
of international law in the University OF St
Petersburg. who acted as interpreter. he en-
phaticaIIy denied a statement attributed to him
in a wireless dispatch that he believed Japan's
peace terms would be intolerable and that the
Portsmouth conference would not last more
than a week.
There is not one word Of truth in it," he said.
ENJOYS FORMAL STATEMENT.
Professor de Martens then produced written
statement dictated by the pIenipotentiary. which
he read aloud to the assembled reporters Many
Of the passengers listened to the reading at tha
conclusion of which they vigorously aPplaudea
the sentiments expressed by NJ. Witte- He
doffed his hat in acknowledgment
The statement of the Russian envoy was fun
of feIicitous expressions OF friendship Tor thu
United States and the American people. Even
for the Japanese. the foemen Of his country.
he had a kindly word. referring to them as the
gallant foe" and expressing the hope that the
two nations that for year and a half have been
ENGAGED in a desperate war might becor.a
friends.
His statement that the Czar consented TO ap-
nofnt a mission to negotiate for peace because
of the friendship of the American people, was
accented as a declaration that Russia was not
suing for peace and only for the intervention or
President Roosevelt would continue the war
70 fts hitter termination But not one word OF
ranroof or vfndictiveness did NJ Witte utter
about the japanese
The full statement Of the peace pleniPotenuary
appears in another part Of the paper
Another wireless interview that was Fepudt-
ated by NJ Witte was one from London IN
which he was quoted as saying that he consid-
cred himself a mere courier NJ Witte. 1t was
announced. comes with fun plenIpotentiary
mowers. even 70 the authority OF agreeing to an
indemnity or the cession of territory As a
matter Of course. however. the ratification Of the
Car is necessary to any agreement entered into
by his emissary-
PEACE HIS ONLY MISSION.
ON the trip up the bay TO the Hoboken pier.
NJ. Wftte stood on the upper deck. staring
steadily at the tall buildings in the lower para
of New-York. wondering apparently what ths
New World held out for him Speaking OF his
arrival on American soil. NJ. Witte said: 'sI
am happy TO visit America, which country am
most anxious TO know Ny only regret is that
I cannot speak English. as ] should like thor
oughly to appreciate the country whose progress
and development are SO interesting and IN
structive. shall also be glad To have personal
intercourse with President Roosevelt, who has
reached such a prominent position states
man. and to present 10 him the greetings OF
Emperor Nicholas.
1t has been stated that am TO test the ground
for floating Russian loan in America and dis
cuss the relations between the two countries.
especially regarding commercial affairs. My
only commission is the negotiations for peace:
but am quite ready 10 express my personal
opinion ON questions affecting the relations be-
tween Russia and America. with a view 10 fur
ther strengthening the traditional friendly feel
ing between 81. Petersburg and Washington.
As soon as the steamer was made fast to the
nier F2aron Rosen Ambassador at Washington.
anc associate peace envoy. went aboard and
greeted his colleague. Baron ROsen then intro
dueed tn NJ Witte the members OF his stan who
accompanied him. Including Mr.. Hansen. first
secretary of the embassy. and Colonel RaspopoH.
military attacht NJ Witte and Baron ROseR
drew aside and remained in earnest eonversa-
uon for fifteen minutes. after which thsy rsS