New-York tribune., 1905-07-14

Count sergius witte is regarded as the lead
ing Liberal statesman Of Russia For the last
thirteen years he has been one Of the strongest
personalities IN the Russian Bureaucracy. al
though hts political fortunes suffered a setback
vae1 he was compelled 10 resign the portfolio OF
Minister Of Finance in August, 1902 and again
wher scter 5eing appointed President OF the Cnun-
I'll % ministers IN the same month, his Office
gradually lost its importance UutI rU-nors OF his
intention 10 resign and 90 abroad had been per
slsrerrly circulated
n Wttte is about hfty-six years old and
worked his way Up from the position Of an under
PAD railroad clerk who occasionally acted as
porrer 10 that Of the leading statesman Of Rus
s-s- II spite cs the fact that his enemies are
numerous and include some OF the most powerful
De- -u Russia man OF large stature, big
tEsoS and muscular. standing over six feet high
= WitHs has the reputation Of being harsh TO
hs E-bCr6inates and extremely high tempered
These facts have not increased his popularity.
He is what is known as wei hated man. but
his honesty and ability have never been doubted
even By lis worst enemies
ore ot the reasons for his unpopuIarity is the
fact thar u. WiJUe is only remotely Russian His
fstae- was Of Dutch descent and ne himself was
born az THIS, Caucasia. the headquarters OF the
present revolutionary movement IN that part Of
ths empire n Witte was created a count in
1901 but he has generally been referred 70 II
A-rre He IS thoroughly familiar with the Far
Eastern question IN al its bearings. He under
srsrcs ne japanese position ana fully realized
before the that the aggressive policy being
pursued under the lead OF Viceroy AlexieT and
IL bezo6razo1. president OF the Yalu Timber
Company, ard the coterie of adventurers connected
with them. would drive Japan 10 take up the
sword
A. oae tine N witre talked over the situation
Ttrh tie Marquis Ito. President Of the Japanese
Prvy Council and ore q the leading statesmen Of
japan Practically. It was Il Whites disapprovaI
o-E rhar n
Flce-oyalry in the Far East which caused his
co"otal rs Minister ot Finance.
n the course OF his trip 10 Port Arthur in 1893
N Nttte was invited by the Japanese government
10 Tlzit Japan which would indicate that the
Japanese probably VIII welcome HE selection 10
conduct the peace negotiations IN behalf Of Russia
AnoH-ag that they wiz be dealing with the Russian
statesman who best understands the situation. and
"ao Is most likely 70 reach agreement mutually
acValrsgeous-
81 Angurien formerly AZ assistant Of n VVftts
undertook the defence OF his former chief in May
issl against the charges that he was IN any man
-+si responsible for The ManchUr1an adventure or
lAe events which brought TIE war. "a. Angurfeff
pIoFec oy means OF unpublished documents that N.
"ll1e opposed the Nanchurian plans throughout in
ne most energetic manner. Ii AngurteR said that
= NE hrst place IL Wirte was not Responsible for
He sioer1an Railroad. its conception and execu-
'- 0eiougec 70 MS predecessor as Finance Min
80 81 ~ychnegradsh M Witte was opposed 10
e seizure of Port Arthur IN 1855. but was over
80 oy TIE advice OF the late Count Muravten
80 vas then Minister for Foreign Affairs and
80 submitted alleged proofs that Great Britain