Omaha daily bee., 1905-07-13
His Experience in Diplomatic Matters Does
Not Qualify Him for Post,
INsURES SUCCESS OF NEGOTIATIONS
Selection of NJ. Witts Will Increase Conf
dsnoe of Japan.
CHINA AGAIN DEFINES ATTrTUBt
CelestiRls serve Notice that They
Will Not he bound by Any ActIoh
that Disposes of Chinese
Territory.

ST. PETERSBURG, July 1919 a. m-
NJ. Muravieff has resigned his position as
chief peace plenipotentiary. IL may be re-
garded as practically certain that he will
be replaced by NJ. Witte, president OF the
committee OF ministers, who all along has
been considered the Russian statesman pre-
eminently qualified to undertake the ditfi-
cult task of negotiating peace with Japan.
Though the emperor on two previous oc-
casions has fatly declined to accept NJ.
Witte, he has now indicated his readiness
to make the appointment The commits
sion, which, however, will not be actually
signed until Foreign Minister Lamsdorff,
who throughout has been NJ. Whites warm
supporter. has had an audience of the
emperor today. To that extent only the
matter may be regarded as unsettled Moth
Ing being certain in Russia, as a promi-
nent diplomat remarked last night until
the emperor's signature has been affixed.
NJ. Whites selection undoubtedly will be
hailed as practical assurance of peace.
While 1t would be a mistake TO denominate
him as peace at any price" man. NJ.
Witte earnestly believes that the struggle.
should be ended and should be succeeded
by an understanding between Russia and
Japan which would ensure peace in the
far east for half a century. Indeed he
is personally believed TO be in favor of a
Russo-Japanese alliance.
The conduct Of negotiations by NJ. witte,
1t Is felt by the peace party here, would
inspire instant confidence in Japan.
The only handicap under which NJ witte
lahors is his lack of familiarity with the
English language, as the only foreign lam
guages he speaks are German and French.
Reason for the Change.
M. Muravien's retirement, ostensibly ow-
ing to reasons Of i'll health, is in reality due
to the fact that the emperor became con-
vinced that the negotiations might be jeop-
ardized If he went to Washington. NJ.
Muravieff himself, upon consideration,
frankly recognized his lack OF diplomatic
training and his want OF acquaintance with
the questions involved, and with equal
frankness expressed satisfaction that he
had been rclieVed.
Neither the Washington nor the Toxic
government has yet been officially advised
of NJ. Muravieffs withdrawal, the Foreign
office probably preferring to announce the
name of his successor at the same time.
The change in the chief of the plenipoten-
tiaries does not involve any postponement
of the date Of the sailing of the peace COM
mission for Washington.
May Result in Duel.
The newspaper criticism Of NJ. Muravieff's
fitness for the post may result in a duel
between NJ. Skaalkovsky of the Novoe
Vremya and Prince Ouktomsky, editor OF
the st. Petersburg Viedomosti. The former
has not been sparing in his attacks on NJ
Muravieff and yesterday Prince Ouktomsky
took NJ. SkaalSovsky personally to task in
the Viedomosti. whereupon NJ. Skaalkovsky
assaied Prince Ouktomsky in a fashion the
prince can hardly overlook. He says in so
many words that Prince Ouktomsky is a
fool but uses Victor Hugos observations,
while every man has the right TO be a
fool he should not abuse the right"
NJ. Skaalkovsky proceeds personally to
arraign Prince Ouktomsky for the alleged
subsidies which he receives from the gov
ernment, saying: 'I am not Prince Ouk-
tomsky Nobody grieves for me. l have
no sinecures, subsidies or interests in rail-
roads and fantastic mongolian gold mines
which compel me out of gratitude to COM
pose servile panegyrics"
Captain ROusine Coming.
VLADIVOSTOK, July 12-Captain Rou-
sine has left Vladivostok for Washington.
where he will participate in the peace nego-
tations.
China Again Defines Attitude.
PEKING, July 2.-Afternoon.-The Chi
nese government recently notified the Rus
sian, Japanese and also the other lega-
tions that China would refuse TO recognize
any arrangements made at the approaching
peace conference in the United States re-
garding China unless that government was
considered in the matter. The governments
replied, plainly intimating that the notihca-
tion received from China would in nowise
affect the plan of action adopted by Japan.
No reply has been received from Russia.
ST. PETERSBURG, July 12-According
to information obtained at the Foreign
office it seems that China did not ask for
actual representation at the Washington
conference, but simply notified Russia and
Japan that II It was not apprised Of the
conference and its consent secured to any
stipulations to a treaty affecting Chinese
territory 1t would not consider itself bound
70