Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-07-18
RUSSIA PREPARED
TO CONTINUE WAR
Significant interview With NJ.
Witte, the Cars Senior Peace
Plenlpotentiary.
INSTRUCTIONS FROM EMp0ROR
Japan's Antagonist is Not for Peace at
Any Price and Will Accept Nothing
That VIII Jeopardize the Russian
People as a Natlon-criticizes For
eisn Press.
tI,y AssncInted preas.,

ST. PETERSBURG, July I'm.
Witte, The senior Russian peace pleni-
potentiary, received the correspondent
of the Associated Press at his villa,
on Lelagin Island. today.
NJ Witte spoke in French. After
greetings, which were cordial, the COIL
versation gravitated quickly to tho
high mission with which the Russian
statesman is charged and the disposi-
ton of the foreign press to interpret
his appointment as an indication that
Russia had decided to make peace mt
any price.
Now" said he. Strengthening up in
his chair and speaking clowly and dis.
tinctly. ms If weighing the value of
each word, I'm the first place, have
been designated by the Emperor as
his ambassador extraordinary for
Pour Pnrlers with the Japanese plen-
potentiary to ascertain whether it is
possible TO conclude treaty of peace
My personal views are of secondary
Importance, but my ideas are in ell
tire accord with those of my friend,
Count Lamsdorn.
Received Precise Instructions.
In serving my Emperor, have re-
ceiyed precise instructions from his
majesty and shall follow them
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
all accord.
Second, 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
continuance of the war A outrancc-
this is large and influential party.
The other, to which belong, favors
peace. l avow it frankly, because
telling the truth has always been my
rlue in politics. ! was for peace be.
fore hostilities broke out When the
war began the situation changed.
Even though there are these two
parties ms to the ACCESSIBILITY of end
ing the war in the present circum-
stances, both would be united il the
japanese demands wounded the amour
propre.. of the Russian people or
jeopardized our future as nation.
Il am sure if | report that the con.
litinnS of Ionop aon,ot H.
Russia will accept the verdict and the
Russian people will be ready to con.
tinue the war for years if necessary.
Russia Not Crushed.
Thirdly, Russia Is not crushed as
the foreign press has led the world to
believe. The interior situation 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 "A few hundred people in st.
Petersburg and Moscow, nisinterpret
what is happening and fill the world
with false Impressions as to Russia's
future
Russia is not on the verge Of dlsso.
luton ms great power and is not to
accept any conditions offered in spite
Of the military reverses she has sus-
tanned.
we are passing through an internal
crisis. which has been marked by
many grave riots. and which have
others still in store, but the crisis
will pass, and in few. years Russia
viii 5iagain take her place as pre-.
ponderant power in the. European con-
cert.