The semi-weekly messenger., 1905-07-18
WITTE AND MURAVIEEE.


poleon: 90 man is everything" Never
was the truth Of this observation
more apparent than in Russia today.
The recall of NJ. Witte to power
end his designa ton as chief of the
Eienipotentiaries sent by the cZar to-
negotiate a treaty of peace with ia
pan. has Gone moro to establish con-
fidence ir the intentions of Russia
thar all the assurances that the Rus
sian government could give.
The world has confidence in Witte.
bee ause he is strong. and a strong man
is now what Russia urgently needs
Richmond Journal.
Neevr was there time in the his
tory Of the world when d country need
ed man as badly rs does Russia in
the present crisis. The truth of the
above quoted remark by Napoleon was
never before Sc clearly demonstrated.
What makes the present condition
still more remarkable is that Russia
seems tc hav. the man, but will not
give him the opportunity to exercise
his abilities in saving her from the
disasters which are awaiting the cul-
| mination Of the short-sighted, bigoted
| policy of the men at the head of the
government
If there is a man in Russia who
| can save her from herself it is NJ.
Witte. He seems to be far and away
| ahead Of any other Russian in true pa
| triotism and in ability as a statesman.
He belongs to what is known as the
peace party He realizes the true con-
| ditions prevailing in Russia and he is
anxious to avoid what he knows will
| be her inevitable ruin if the policy of
| those in control of public affairs is
| continued. Theirs is the rule or ruin
| policy and it is fast bringing the ruin
to the empire which can be avoided
only by radical changes in the conduct
of affairs and i'll the placing in power
Of such men as NJ. Witte.
When it was learned a few days
| ago that NJ Witte had been named
in the place Of NJ. Muravieff as Rus
| sian chief peace commissioner the gen.
eral public felt that Russia had taken
a step which would insure the settle
nient of peace on fair and just basis.
Muravieff has not reputation calcu-
lated to make him popular at home or
to inspire confidence among the peo-
pie of other nations who are anxious
to see the trouble between Russia and
Japan settled finally and to the best
| into nc-fc of nh
announcement Of the substitution Of
N. Witte for him gave general salts
faction. People thought this meant
that Russia was in earnest in the
peace movement. But yesterdays dis
patches show that Russia is not con-
tent to have this man settle the peace
terms. The war party is still in the
ascendant and if NJ. Witte is allowed
to take part in the peace negotiations
the latest indications are that his
hands will be tied and he will not be
able to carry out his ideas and incli-
nations. The car seems to have again
come under the influence of the war
party since his substitution of NJ.
Witte in place of NJ. Muravieff. There
is doubt as to NJ. Whites being willing
to accept the position as peace COM
missioner under the Instructions the
car wishes to give him. Russia's only
chance is to put this man at the head
OF her commission and give him carte
blanche to negotiate a treaty of peace
with the representatives of Japan. If
she goes into the negotiations deter
mined to resist Japan's demands based
upon what the latter thinks she is en-
titled to and to stand upon her dignity
she is lost and no peace treaty can
save her.
SAYS The High Point ENTERPRISE. "a