Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-07-21
RUSSIAN ENVOY TALKS
DESIRES PEACE ON FAIR TERMS
M. Witte Says Russia Can still Fight
Situation Not Understood BY
Western People.

st. Petersburg. July Ism. Witte.
the senior Russian peace plenipoten-
tiary, received the correspondent OF
the Associated Press yesterday. In ac-
cording the honor OF an interview he
expressly desired 1t stated that he
had declined all previous requests OF
journalists for interviews ands would
decline all future requests.
He further said that he made an ex-
ception In the case OF the Associated
Press, as II was the representative 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 particular sympathy he
felt toward that great country.
NO, no." said he. Strengthening up
In his chair. and speaking slowly and
distinctly as II weighing the value OF
each word. ''In the first place. have
been designated by the Emperor Us his
ambassador extraordinary for pour
parleurs with the Japanese plenipoten.
tiaries to ascertain whether IL Is pos
sible to conclude treaty of peace. My
personal views are OF secondary impor-
lance. but my ideas are In entire ac-
cord with those OF my friend. Count
l.nmsdorn.
In serving my Emperor. have re-
ccIyed express instructions from his
majesty and shall follow them. The ul.
innate decision remains In the hands
OF the Emperor and IL Is for him to de-
eide the destinies Of Russia. The En-.
peror is the friend Of peace and desires
peace. but very much fear that tho
Japanese terms will be such that We
will be unable TO reach an accord.
Secondly. the world should disabusc
it's mind OF the idea that Russia wants
peace at any price. There are two
parties In Russia. One OF them fayors
the continuation OF the war to the last
cxtrcmity-this Is a large and infiu.
entail party. The other. to which l be-
long. fayors peace. ! ayow IL frankly.
because telling the truth has always
been my rule In politics. I was for
peace before hostilitics broke out.
when tho war began. tho situation
changed.
Even though there are those two
parties ms to the advisabiii,y OF ending
the war In the present circumstances.
both would be united II the Japanese
demands wounded tho amour proprc Of
the Russian people or jeopardisa our
future ns n nation.
Il am sure II report that the con.
ditIons OF Japan cannot be accepted.
Russia will acccp, the verdict and the
Russian people will be ready TO con.
tinuc the war for years. II necessary.
Thirdly. Russia IN not crushed. ak
the foreign press has led the world to
believe. The interior situation IL very
serious. do not deny. bu, In Europe
and America III. true significance OF
what Is happening IL no, understood.
Correspondents come here and talk
with few people in 81. Petersburg
and Moscow. tnisinicrprct what ID
happening. and nil the world with
false impressions as TO Russia'a fu.
turc.
Russia has little resemblance to
western countries. To know Russia.
TO undcrstana the soul OF the Russian
people. Il IL necessary that one should
have been born here. or lived many
years In Russia. The customs. hia.
tory. the mental psychology OF tho
people arc entirely different from
those OF western nations and RS'ss!a
cannot bc judged by western sipnd.
ards. II Is such an immense country.
composed o, divers elements anS In.
tcrcstR. yet the Russian people. arc
like a great family. At prcscn; they
arc torn by internal disscnsions. but
these divisions would disappear should
the people really feel that the integrity
OF the country and its future destiny
were at stake.
Russia is not on the verge OF dis.
solution as great power and is.no.
Obliged TO accept any conditions of.
forcd. in spite OF the military rcvctscs
she has sustained.
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 n few years R'issia
will again take her place as pre-
pondcrant power in the European
concert"