The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1905-07-20
RUSSIA Is NOT
YET CRUSHED
ALL RUSSIA DOES NOT FAVOR
PEACE.
WHITE EXPECTS DEADLOCK
Fears japanese Terms Will be Impos-
slblc for Russia to Accept. Emper-
or Wants Peace, But Willing to
Continue War.

nioi AouooldH peace plenlpOJentlary.
received the correspondent of the As
soclated Press at his villa. In accord.
inc the honor Of an interview to the
Associated Press he said he expressly
desired 1t stated that he had declined
all previous requests Of journalists
for interviews and would decline all
further requests He further said
that he made an. exception in the case
Of the Associated Press as it was the
representative of the press Of the
United States and also as a mark Of
the sympathy he felt toward that
country. M Witte spoke in French
After greetings, which were cordia,
the conversation gravitated quickly to
the high mission with which the Rus
sian statesman is charged and the dis
position Of the foreign press to inter
pref his appointment as an indication
that Russia had decided to make
peace at any price.
mo, no." said he strengthening up
in his chair and speaking slowly and
distinctly as if weighing the value of
every word.
In the first place, / have been des-
ignated by the emperor as his ambas-
sador extraordinary for pour parleurs
with the japanese plenipotentiaries to
ascertain whether it is possible to con-
clude treaty Of peace. Ny person
all views are Of secondary Importance,
but my ideas are in entire accordance
with those my friend. Count Lams-
dorff.
In serving my emperor, have re-
ceived precise instructions from MS
majesty and shall follow them.
"The ultimate decision remains in
the hands of the emperor and it is for
him to decide the destinies Of Russia
The emperor is the friend Of peace
and desires peace, but [ very much
fear that the japanese terms will be
such that we will be unable to reach
an accord. Secondly, the world should
disabuse its mind of the idea that
Russia wants peace in Russia. One ia
vors the continuation of the war a
outrance-t this is a large and inhuen-
tial party. The other, to which | be-
LONG. favors peace. I avow it frankly
because telling the truth has always
been my rule in politics. | was for
peace before hostillities broke out.
Given though there are these two
parties as to the ACCESSIBILITY Of end
ing the war in the present circum
stances, both would be united if the
japanese demands wounded the amour
propre of the Russian people or Jeop-
ardized our future as nation.
II am sure if report that the con-
ditions of Japan cannot be accepted,
Russia will accept the verdict and the
Russian people will be ready to con-
tinue the war for years if necessary
Thirdly, Russia is not crushed, as
the foreign press has led the world to
believe. The Inferior ,ituation is very
serious, / do not deny, but in Europe
and America the true significance OF
what is happening is not understood.
Correspondents come here and talk
with few hundred people in St. Pc
tersburg and Moscow, misinterpres
what is happening and fill the world
with false impressions as to Russia s
future.
"Russia has little resemblance to
western countries. To know Russia
to understand the sould Of the Rus
sian people it is necessary that one
should have been born here or Lived
many years in Russia. The customs.
history and mental psychology Of the
people are entirely different from
those Of western nations and Russia
cannot be judged by western stand
ards. It is such an immense country,
composer Of diverse elements and in
terests, yet the Russian people are
like a great family. At present they
are torn by internal discussions, but
these divisions would disappear
should the people really feel that the
integrity of the country and its fu-
ture destiny were at stake.
Russia is not on the verge Of dis
solution as a great power, and is not
obliged to accept any conditions offer
ed in spite of the military reverses
she has sustained.
1--WE are passing through an inter-
nal crisis which has been marked by
many grave events and which may
have others still in store, but the crisis
will pass and in few years Russia
will again take her place as prepon-
derant power in the European con-
cert. .
nn~n~ Y4o~ ryAa&aA