COUNT DE WITTE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12643, 2 November 1905, Page 5

COUNT DE WITTE.

THE SECOND MAN IN THE EM-

PIRE.

RESPECTED BY THE CZAR AND>

OFFICIALS

(Per Sonoma at Auckland.)

ST. PETERSBURG .September 28. M. de Wifcte arrived here to-day, andE was accorded a very hearty welcome by a large crowd of officdials and others. Im a brief speech, replying to an address^. M. de Witee showed clearly that he.was* deeply touched by tlhe reception. WheEfc he left here in July, a small delegation:: attended him. to the railway station— There was no public demonstration _ To-day there were many officials, despite? the early hour of arrival, and five or sis: hundred enthusiastic people. They collected where M. de Witte would desoendL from the train, and -when he appeared,, broke into long and loud cheers, to wtocfe M. de Witte bowed Ihis acknowledgments. The. spokesman then read the* following address, all standing bareheaded :—" You have accomplished youc~ diffioult task, and the notion is gratefut to you. You have given credit for yoursuccess to the Emweror Nicholas, President Roosevelt, the Emperor William?-, of Germany, and to the press. You;. have forgotten only yourself. We, however, fully appreciate your services to> your country. The tree you planted!. at "the Washington 'homestead at Mounfe Vernon will serve as a mark oa: tokens of union between the" two nations. Vote have done much. For ourselves, and te" those who are absent we will once more? shout a hearty huraialh." M. de Wifate, who was deeply moyed,-l-espionded as follows: —"I w-as so little*prepared for this kind of reception thafe I must ask pardon for it'he incoherence of? my words. I 'have performed my dutjr well because I have strictly obeyed h&. Majesty's instructions; 'because circum— stbances favoured rate; 'because the worldfe is weary of this bloody iwa,r ; because eiM classes of American society, from President Roosevelt down, were in sympathy-, with my and your cause; because I was--truo to my country and her and your* intesrests." " "

M. de'Witte was at once suimmonecE to meet the Emperor on boei*d the Imperial yacht Polar Star.

OoWbec 2.

The position of Chief of the Minis— terial Cabinet, the creation of which "iss called .for by itihe instditutdon of the Imperial Duma, ■witih right of interpolataoit was offered to Count de Witte on Friday by the Emperor, according to gen— emal understanding, Count de Witte to— da^ deolined to confirm the report, butr» it is known that at the Emperor's request he has abandoned his plans forgoing; abroad in order to assist in the:eilaborataon of a project for a Cat»net_ An official very close tio Count de Witte> said the announcement of his nomination as Chancellor migfht be expected witlhin a montih.

The Emperor, it is said in Court circles, recognises fully the great service rendered by Count de Witte, and? entertains the fniendiliest sentiments towards him. Count de Witte occupies a? commanding position in t<he Russian? official world, -which' ds manifested bythe long lines of equipages drawn in?. front of his residence, and to» officials -who call to pay their respecter to the second man 'an the Empire.