Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1905-07-21
RUSSIA'S Chief
ENVOY TALKS

st. Petersburg, July 19.-M. White,
the Russian plenipotentiary, received
the correspondent of the Associated
Press at his villa on Yeligan island.
In according an interview, he said he
expressly desired it stated that he had
declined all previous requests of jour
nalists for interviews and would de-
cline all future 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 as he is 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.
M. White spoke in French. After
greetings which were cordial. the con-
versation gravitated quickly to the
high mission with which the Russian
statesman is charged and the DISPOSE
ton of the foreign press to interpret
his appointment as an indication that
Russia had decided to make peace at
any price.
"No, no., he said, Strengthening up
in his chair and speaking slowly and
distinctly, as if weighing the value of
each word. "In the first place, have
been designated by the emperor as his
ambassador extraordinary for pour
parleurs with Japanese plenipotentiar-
les to ascertain whether it is possible
to conclude treaty of peace. My per-
sonal views are of secondary import
ance, but ideas are in entire accord
with those of my friend, Count Lams-
dorff.
In serving my emperor, however, /
have express instructions from his ma
esty and shall follow them.
1.-The ultimate decision rests in the
hands of the emperor, and it is for him
to decide the destines of Russia. The
emperor is friend of peace and de-
sires peace, but 1 very much fear that
the Japanese terms will be such that
we will be unable to reach an accord.
Secondly, the world should disa-
buse its mind of the idea that Russia
wants peace at any price. There are
two parties in Russia. One of them
favors the continuation of the war.
This is large and influential party.
The other. to which l belong, favors
, peace. / avow it frankly, because tel
} ling the truth has always been my rule
in politics. l was for peace before
hostilities broke out. When the war
began the situation changed.
EVEN though there are those two
, parties, both would be united if the
+ Japanese demands wounded the amou
3 propre of the Russian people, or jeo-
pardized our futureas a nation.
II am sure if report that the con-
+ ditions of Japan can not be accepted
= Russia will accept the verdict, and the
Russian people will be ready to con.
b tinue the war for years, if necessary.
Thirdly, Russia is not crushed, az
e hte foreign press has led the world tc
C believe. The intreior situation is very
serious, / do not deny, but in Europe
C an America the true significance OF
what is happening is not understood
Correspondents come here and tall
with few people in st. Petersburg
; and Moscow, misinterpret what is hap
pening and fill the world with fals'
/. impressions rs to Russia's future.
|. Russia has little resemblance t,
western countries. To know Russia
to understand the soul of the Russian
. people, it is necessary to have beel
born here or lived many years in Rus
STA. The customs and history of tn
people are entirely different from thos
;: of western nations, and Russia can no
=: be judged by western standards. 1t
such an immense country, composed o
G diverse elements and interets, yet tn
h Russian people are like great family
"At present they are torn by interns
is dissensions, but these divisions woul
disappear should the people really fee
lie that the integrity of the country an
V its future destiny were at stake
Russia is not ON the verge of dissC
A luton as a great power and it is nc
1 obliged TO accept any conditions G
peacei spite of the military reverse
she has sustained. We are passin
through an internal crisis, which ha
Is been marked by many grave events
le and which may have others still i
at store, but the crisis will pass, and
re few years Russia will again take he
" place as an preponderant power in tn
u European concourse.