Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-03-14
COUNT WITTE OF
RUSSIA IS DEAD
Premier of First Cabinet and Man
Who largely Made the New
Russia, Dies in Capital.
WAS IIL oNIY FOR OWE WEEK

LONDON, March 1s.--Count Ser
gius yuiovich w'tte, Russia's first
prime, minister. died last night, says
q PetSogrhd dispatch 10 Reufsr'a fel-
egram company, Count Witte. who
was born June 20, y1s4s, at Tiflis,
was one ot the Russian pieaipoten-
tiaFies At Portsmouth. N. H. in the
negotiations for peace with Japan IN
1906. He aftetwRrd was made a
count and appointed president OF the
new ministry, but retired In 1905
and held no important post after that
time. Count witts was taken sick
week ago.
Count Witte was regarded as IN some
respects one OF the most remarkable
men his country had produced. but his
reputation was even greater abroad than
at home. Throughout his career. during
which he accomplished much for Russia.
he had many and powerful enemies, al
though his great ability and remarkable
capacity for work never were ques-
toned. Regardless OF his work as a
statesman. mis- chief fame in Russia rests
upon his DEVELOPMENT of manufacturing
industries. the expansion of RAILROADS and
the placing OF the monetary system upon
q gold basis
Although always q firm supporter OF
the monarchy, he recognized the power
OF the people and had democratic tenden-
cies. On his fathers. side, his family was
OF COMMON origin. but his mother was a
descendant OF the Ruriks. the old rulers
of Russia before the election OF the Ro-
manoff dynasty.
Becomes Minister of Railroads..
After his graduation srom the Univor-
sify Of Odessa, Witte entered the railroad
service in the shipping department Hs
mastered the question OF tariff rates and
his, advancement was rapid. In the mean
time he bad married a sister Of General
Fadieff He first attracted attention At
the capital during the Russo-TufIriah war
BY the administrative capacity no dis
played IN the movement OF army sup
pliea. he went to Petrograd in 1873 and
was given increasingly responsible posts
In the railroad service Alexander III ap-
pointed him minister Of railway and COM
munieatlon IN 1892, and soon afterwards
mlulster OF finance. Il, was then that he
|peean % develop his great scheme for the
erettlon OF home manufactures and ths
Nid1 extensIon Of Russia's railway sys-
tslA. which eventually took the Siberian
road to the Pacific.
In his efforts along these lines wItte
used every power Of the state He gave
subventions and government orders until
factories and mills were running full
blast, Then he had the state take over
the private railroads. the state treasury
guaranteeing the bonds To do ali thin
he Borrowed immense sums IN France.
Under the plea OF regulating the LIQUOR
traffic he had the state take over the
vodka business OF the empire. thus vastly
increasing the government revenue. His
crowning achievement was regarded.
however. as the establishment OF the sold
standard. As minister Of finance In iseS
he reached the height Of his power
Negotiates Peace Treaty.
His policy In regard TO Manchuria,
which he desired TO develop only from q
commercial and not from political view
point resulted IN powerful, intriRuea
against him, which resulted IN his 70
moval IN ioo8 a. minister Of finance. He
went for a time to Paris, but returned 10
Petrosrad when the RussO-Japeness war
was IN full swing. He neither Offered nor
was asked FOR advice IN regard 10 the
conduct Of the struggle. but wien Theo-
dore Roosevelt. the president OF the
United States. prevailed upon the emperor
Ccohttnnad on Page VouF. Column TWo.5