Los Angeles herald., 1905-07-18
WITTE BREAKS
LONG SILENCE
GIVES OUT FIRST AND LAST
STATEMENT
NOT sANeUlNE AS TO PEACE
says Decision Rests Solely with the
Gear, but That All Russia Would
Oppose Acceptance Of Hu-
initiating Terms
BY Associated Press.


ST. PETERSBURG, July I'm.
witte, the senior Russian peace pleni-
potentiary, received the correspondent
of the Associated Press at his villa on
iYelagin island today. In according the
interview he said he expressly desired
1t stated that he had declined all pre-
vious requests Of Journalists for inter-
views. and would decline all future re-
quests of the character
He authorized the statement that he
made an exception in the case of the
Associated Press, as 1t was the repre-
sentative of the press of the United
States, of which he was about to be-
come the temporary guest, and as he
desired to mark the sympathy he felt
toward that great country.
M. witte spoke in French. After
greetings, which were cordial, the con-
versation gravitated quickly to the high
mission with which the Russian states
man is charged, and the disposition Of
the foreign press to interpret his ap-
pointment as an indication that Russia
had decided to make peace at any price
mo, no. said he, strengthening UP in
his chair and speaking slowly and dis
tinctly, as if weighing the value of each
word. I'm the first place, have been
designated by the emperor as his am
bassador extraordinary for pour par
leurs with the Japanese plenipoten-
tiaries to ascertain whether it is pos
sible to conclude treaty of peace. My
personal views are of secondary i'm
portance, but my ideas are in entire
accord with those of my friend, Count
Lamsdorff. sa oF
Decision Rests With Gar
IT have received express instructions
from his majesty and shall follow
them.
"The 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 such
that we will be unable to reach an
accord.
secondly the world should disabuse
its mind of the idea that Russia wants
peace at any price. There are two par
ties in Russia. One of them favors
the continuation of the war a routranee,
and this is a large and influential party.
The other, to which belong, favors
peace. / avow it frankly. because tell
ing the truth has always been my rule
in politics. 1t was before the war
began. 81,
Even though there are those two
parties, both would be united If the
Japanese demands wounded the amour
propre of the Russian people or jeop-
ardized our future as a nation.
"I am sure that. If report that the
conditions Of Japan cannot be accepted,
Russia will accept the verdict and the
Russian people will continue the war
for years If necessary. tih as
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 few people in st. Petersburg
and Moscow, misinterpret what is hap
pening and fill the world with false
impressions as to Russia's future.
Russia Much Misunderstood
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 there or have lived
many years in Russia. The customs
and history of the people are entirely
different from those of western nations
and Russia cannot be Judged byfwest-
ern standards. 1t is such an immense
country, composed of divers elements
and interests, yet the Russian people
are like great family. At present they
are torn by internal dissensions. but
these divisions would disappear should
the people really feel that the integrity
OF the country and it's future destiny
were at stake.
Russia is not on the verge Of disso-
luton as great power and is not
obliged to accept any conditions offered
in spite Of the military reverses she
has sustained.
I'VE are passing through an internal
crisis, which has been marked by many
grave events. and which may have
others stin IN store. but the crisis win
pass, and IN a few years Russia will
again take her place as a preponderant
power in the European conrts."