Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-07-18
wi7rE NOT SURE OF PEACE.
Chief Russian Peace Envoy Takes
Gloomy View of Situation.

gloomy View OF SlIuASloHs
st. Petersburg, July 1S.-M. Witte,
the senior Russian plenipotentiary, re-
gceived the correspondent Of The ,Asso-
aciated Press at his villa on Yolagin
island yesterday. In according the hon
or Of an interview to The Associated
Press, he especially stated that he de-
gclined all previous requests Of Journal
lists for interviews and would decline
III future ones. He further said that
he made exception in the case of The
i Associated Press as 1t was the repre-
sentative OF the press; Of the United
States, and also as mark of the par
ticular sympathy he felt toward that
great country.
M. Witte received the correspondent
III, the cabinet of his villa, which over
looks vast park In front OF which
runs the sweeping Neva. His morning
coffee was still before him and he was
already deep in the mass Of mail upon
his desk. a memorandum in front OF
him was filled with engagements,
showing how crowded the hours will be
before his departure. #
With his big frame, and high, narrow
forehead, from which the scant hatr
was brushed straight back; emphasize
& ca by the strong ines of the face, NJ.
Witte would be instantly recognized
as a man Of power and energy and 9
born leader Of men.
M. Witte spoke in French. After
greetings, which were cordial, the con-;
yersation gravitated quickly to the Ing.
high mission with which the Russian
statesman is charged and the dispo-
sition of the foreign press to Interpret
his appointment as an indication that
Russia had decided to make peace
at any price.
s.rlo. no. he said, Strengthening up
~ his chair, and speaking slowly and
/ sdistinctly. as il Weighing the value OF
each word. I'm the first place, have
been designated by the emperor as his
s.ambassador extraordinary for pour
.parlers with the Japanese plenipoten-
I fiaries to ascertain whether 1T is pos
aif,ie to conclude a treaty OF peace. MY
personal views are OF secondary im-
nortance. but my ideas are in entire
s acssnrd with those Of my friend, Count
Lamsdorff.
SaTn serving my emperor { have re-
ceived precise instructions from MS
majesty and shall follow them.
- s75 Fears Japanese Avarice. :
.sThe ultimate decision remains ~
the hands OF the emperor and y IS TOT
him to decide the desires OF RUSSIA.
The emperor is the friend OF peace anu
desires peace, but very mucn rear
that the Japanese terms will be such
that we will be unable to reach an
agreement.
secondly, the world should disabuse
ats mind Of the idea that Russia wants
peace at any price. There are two par
ties in Russia. One favors the con-
tinuation of the war to the end. This
As a large and influential party. The
other, to which belong, favors peace.
81 ayow it frankly because telling the
truth has always been my rule in poll
itics. / was for peace before the war
broke out When the war began the sit
guation changed.
gwen though there are these two
parties. as to the advisability of end
ing the war in the present circum-
stances. both would be united if the
Japanese demands wounded the amour
nropre of the Russian people or jeop-
ardized our future as a nation.
II am sure II i report stHit tue COLI
ditions Of Japan cannot be accepted,
Russia will accept the verdict and the
Russian people will bel ready to con-
tinue the war for years;if necessary.
Russia Is Not Crushed.
..Thirdly, Russia is not crushed. a s
the foreign press has led the world to
believe. The interior situation is very
serious, 1 do not deny, but in Europe
and America the true significance of
what is happening is not understood.
come here and talk
with few hundred people in st. Pc
fersburg and Moscow, misinterpret
what is passing and I'LL the world with
false impressions as to Russia's fu-
ture.
Russia has little resemblance to
western countries. To know Russia,
to understand the soul Of the Russian
people. 1t is necessary that one should
have been born here or lived many
1Hars In Russia. The customs, history