New-York tribune., 1905-08-03

tired to the saloon where they talked privately
for some time and read over several official
looking documents.
In the mean time. a struggling crowd waited
for NJ witte to come ashore. There large
delegation from the Slavic Alliance who went TO
express their sympathy With the Russian cause.
Russians VINO wished to pay tribute TO their
foremost statesman and Americans who were
curious 10 see the who is TO figure so
prominently in the peace negotiations. Just be-
fore he disembarked two japanese newspaper
men went aboard the vessel and caused some
apprehension to the compatriots Of NJ. Witte.
The Russians were assured that the Japs were
Just harmless journalists
WELCOME AT THE PIER.
on the pier there were loud cheers from the
crowd. who forced their way close TO the Russian
Statesman Notwithstanding the efforts OF the
police TO keep his path clear The courtesy OF
the port had been rendered To the party SO
there was no examination Of baggage.
According 10 the Slavic custom Of welcoming
6 stranger. there were presented by the Slavohc
Alliance & loaf of bread and some salt, which
were on silver platter. There was brief ex-
change Of addresses Mr.. Capek. OF the alliance
speaking in English, and NJ. Witte replying in
Russian. Mr. Capek said
More than half a century ago Slavonian i'm
migrants came 10 the United States TO seek
refuge here The first to arrive were Bohemisns
and Poles; later these were followed by otner
Slavs. first from Austria-H Hungary ana theh
from other Slavic countries. AT present every
branch Of the great Slavonic family OF nations,
numbering some I25,000,000 souls. is represented
on American soil
As American citizens we welcome you TO our
adopted country, and assure you that, as here
tofore we shall watch with deep soicitude and
follow with warm sympathy the fortunes Of the
ours. The pursuit OF peace IS the nopiesl
heritage Of Slavonians. You come here with a
message OF peace We welcome YOU Russian
brothers. and wish you godspeed-
The ceremony over. new start was made for
the waiting carriages, but the frantic efforts Of
nearly every one surrounding NJ. Witte 70 shake
his hand made the progress slow. The two
ENJOYS n Witte and Baron Rosen, were nearly
carried off their feet by the enthusiastic SlaYs
and Russians. ". Witie stood ii good naturedly
as long as he could, and then turned and fed.
finally reaching his automobile, which sped on
its way TO the ferry. Last night NJ Witte and
his staff were the guests Of Baron Rosen at the
Union club.
SENIOR ENJOYS APPEARANCE.
n wiJte is nearly six feet tali, with broad,
deep shoulders He walks with a military car
risEe He looks nlore than his fifty-foUr years
His beard is gray. although his mustache is
deep head brown eyes that are penetrating. and
a firm mouth He is democratic in manners
though always dicnifed He wore yesterday
suit Of gray Panama hat and dark brown
suede gloves His shoes We're of the brogan
pattern.
His fellow passengers on the Kaiser Wilhelm
der Crosse were charmed with his manner. He
moved freely among the passengers. going into
the smoking room for his cigar and conversing
with al who spoke French.
II Witte is 4 reforner in politics and believes
in the abolition Of graft He also favors more
liberal laws His Importance in the politics Of
his country is best shown by the fact that the
same coterio Of political intriguers who a few
years ago accomplished his downfall have urged
on the Car the wisdom Of his appointment as
peace envoy. II wss said that II was with some
hesitation. and after considerable pressure had
been brought 10 bear. that n. Witte accepted the
mission. which At best is regarded as a thankless
undertaking. His substitution for NJ. Muravief,
who was first chosen as chief plenipotentiary-
and vho was Withdrawn. IS regarded as tri-
umqh for the peace advocates Of Russia. Of
whom ne is the leading spirit. No man in Russia
has a larger following than N. White. and his
political reinstatement. IL is believed. is har-
binger Of an early peace. which might not have
been the case had II. Nuravieff been sent TO
Portsmouth
n Witte has risen TO his present eminent
position by his ability alone. He began life as
q purchasing agent for a railroad company and
became president Of the road. Because Of his
knowledge OF railroads thus gained, the Gar
made him Minister Of Railroads, from which
Office he promoted 10 the Ministry of
Finance. IN this office he proved himself an
able hnancier and statesman n. Witte is
accompanied by the following suit: j. Shipof,
Director Of the Treasury Department; Major
General YermOlen Military Attache at London
NJ. Naboukoff Of the Foreign Office; Jean E.
Korotoyitz, formerly Secretary Of the Russian
Legation Al Pekng: Georges PlPncon. formerly
Russion Charge dAfairss at Picking; General
" X. Samoi, of the Russian Foreign Office,
and Professor de Martins. He will be Joined
later by D. .. Pokotilon. Russian Minister in
Peking. and naval attache
Tomorrow. NJ Witte. accompanied by Baron
I2osen, viii visit President Roosevelt at Oyster
Bay.
Some of the members Of the Russian peace
delegation have visited America before. Pro-
fessor de- Martens said il real pleasure
10 him 70 return TO America 1T in the
United States ia October, 1901, he said. 'on the
occasion Of ha wing conferred upon the degree
of Doctor Of Laws by Yale University, together
with President Roosevelt, Chief Justice Melville
W. Fuller. Marquis Ito, Mark Twain and the
late Secretary OF State Hay, that had the privi-
lege Of making the personal acquaintance OF
President Roosevelt Everywhere the most eX-
Quisite hospitality extended to me- and the
most distinguished American citizens arranged
IN my honor large and fine dinner at the
Metropolitan Club in NeW-YOrk ] also visited
the principal American cities. and in Boston l
the guest Of President Eliot of Harvard
University. OF that sojourn in America 1 re-
tanned such a grateful memory that 1 gave an
account of il in article under the title OF
American Impressions published in New-York.
! received the best impression Of all classes OF
American citizens. and / am especially indebted
70 Chief Justice Fuller who my colleague
at Paris during the great arbitration Of 1899
between Venezuela and England