Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-07-18
Coming With Express;
Orders from Nicholas
To Discuss Peace With laps
Gear VIII Then Decide.
II laps Terms An Excessive, Russia wiz
Fight for Years.

ST. fttctHDutks July I'm. nttes
the senior Russian peace plenipotentia-
~. received the correspondent OF Tbs
Associated Press at hts villa on YeIa-
gin Island. Mt go o'clock. this morn
ing. In according the honor OF an inter-
view to The Associated Press. he said
he expressly desired Il stated that he
had declined all previous requests or
journalists for interviews and would
decline all future requests. He further
said that ne made an exception 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 to-
ward that great country.
After greetings. which were cordial,
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 was inclined to make
peace at any price.
mo. no. said his excellency.
Strengthening up in his chair and
speaking slowly and distinctly. as IL
weighing the value of each word.
I'm the first place. / have been des-
ignated by the Emperor as his ambas-
sador extraordinary for pour parlers
with the Japanese plenipotentiaries to
ascertain whether it is possible to con-
clude d treaty of peace. My personal
views are of secondary Importance. but
my ideas are in entire accordance with
those of my friend, Count Lamsdorff.
foreign minister.
'In serving my Emperor. have re-
ceived precise instructions from His
Majesty and shall follow them.
1.-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 ac-
cord.
Secondly, the world should disabuse
its mind Of the idea that Russia wants
peace at any price. There are two
parties in Russia. One favors the con-
tinuation of the war a Toutrace-this
is a large and influential party. The
other. to which belong. favors peace.
truth has always been my rule in pol
itics. was for peace before hostilities
broke out. When the war. began, the
situation changed.
"Even though there are these two
parties as to the ACCESSIBILITY Of ending
the war in the present circumstances.
both would be united II the Japanese
demans wounded the amour propre OF
the Russians or jeopardized our future
as a nation.
IL am sure II the report that the
conditions Of Japan cannot be accept
ed. Russia will accept the verdict and
the Russian people will be ready to
continue the war for years IL neces-
sary.
Thirdly, Russia Is not crushed. as
the foreign press has led the world to
believe. The interior situation Is very
serious. 1 do not deny; but in Europe
and America, the true significance OF
what Is happening Is not understood.
Correspondents come here talk with a
few hundred people i'm st. Petersburg
and Moscow, misinterpret what is hap
pening 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 soul Of the Russian
people, 1t Is necessary that one should
have born here or lived many years In
Russia. The customs. history and men,
tally of the people are entirely differ
ent from those of Western nations and
Russia cannot be judged by Western
standards. 1t is such an immense
~ I'll xtn
and interests. yet the Russian people
are like great family. At present.
they are torn by internal dissensions.
but these divisions would disappear
should the people really feel that the
Of the country and its future
destiny were at stake.
Russia is not on the verge of dis
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