Albuquerque evening citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1905-1907, 1905-09-08
M. WTTTE

Mr.. witte is a remarkable man. but the American
people are beginning to doubt his greatness and to class
him with other Russian b~raggarts.
When the Japanese, under Instructions from the
mikado. met the ultimatum which was not his but the
imperative command Of his master. with the most mag
nanymous proposal ever eminating from victors to van
uuished, White came near bursting with the initiation Of
his own conceit. He gave an interview to the Associated
Press, which for selflaudation is unequaled in the record
of the ages. He said in effect and almost in so many
words, that no other man alive could have secured the
victory which he won. Yet everyone knows, or should
know, that the emperors alone were responsible for the
peace. the ENJOYS in the crucial conclusion being the
merest mouthpieces.
White subsequently gave another interview to the
Associated Press. in which he produced Illustration of
his marvellous diplomacy. He told how, when the Japan
csc terms were first submitted to him, with affected in
difference he threw them carelessly on the table, as
though they possessed not the slightest interest to him;
and how. following out this sublime diplomatic maneu-
yer. he finally arose and started away as thought the
fact that Japan had submitted her terms had passed en-
tirely from his recollection. When reminded that if he
left the paper lying there, others would learn what ia
pans conditions were before they had been discussed, he
picked it up carelessly and thrust it indifferently into
his pocket without even glancing at it. Such is his own
account Of his wonderful diplomatic ability-a story
which reads vastly more like child's play than a manifes-
tation of craftsmanship.
Today's press report represents him in even a YET
more ridiculous light, when in a New York interview, he
asserts: America and Russit are almost as must alike
as the far famed Siamese twins. Inc great countries o
the world are Russia and the United States, because they
both produce men and material. This is the secret OF
each nations success. Russia is better now than ever
After the war she viii get on her feet again and take
firm position. We have men, money and material. we
have the greatest undeveloped country that exists
The claim that Russia and this country are almost
exactly alike, is certainly one of the richest pieces of
irony. though White did not so mean 1t. to be found in
literature. This is a country of educated people, Russia
has 70 per cent of illiteracy. This is a land of tree
thought. free speech, free religion, free press, free meet
ings, free removals from place to place. Russia Is a
worse despotism even than Turkey. This is a govern
ment of the people for the people. Russia is governed
by the u~ntrammeled will of one man. for the less than
100000 members of the nobility. Yet Witte says the
two countries are almost as much alike as the Siamese
twins. who were as nearly alike as two ~black-eyed peas
No doubt Russia has "the greatest undeveloped
country that exists" It has remained undeveloped for
two centuries under auocracy, and will continue to re-
main so till autocracy shall be wiped out of that land
And here is another instance in which Mr.. Whites dis
covery of resemblance between Russia and the United
States is carried out. During these two centuries that
Russia remained undeveoped. the United States has ex
hibited the most marvellous development since time be
gan. Adios, Witte.