Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 March 1901 — Europe’s Great Statesman. [ARTICLE]

Europe’s Great Statesman.

By a curious coincidence Henry Norman’s fifth article on Russia, in the March Scribner’s, deals with the career and economic triumphs of Serge Yulievich Witte, the Russian minister of finance, whose recent tariff measures have brought consternation to some American manufacturers. The author’s reference to M. de Witte’s tariff war with Germany in 1893 is especially interesting in view of the present American episode. In that contest he showed rare powers for handling colossal economic issues with boldness and determination. “Since that time,” says Mr, Norman, "his high tariff neighbors have taken good care to give him no ground for reprisals.” Many Americans will be surprised to learn on such good authority that M. de Witte is "probably the ablest and most far-seeing statesman in Europe today, and certainly no other exercises so great an influence as he upon the course of events.” He is 52 years of age and has had a noteworthy career. His father was of German descent and his mother belonged to one of the oldest families of Russian nobles. After graduation from the university of Odessa he entered journalism for a time and then accepted a modest post on the Odessa railway. Here he rose rapidly from grade to grade, at length becoming manager of several railways. While acting in this capactiy it became his duty to accompany an imperial train that met a terrible disaster at Borki, in which the czar and his family narrowly escaped death. M. de Witte’s action in this crisis won the admiration of the czar, and he was ordered shortly afterward to come to St. Petersburg and take the post of director of railways. By the beginning of 1893 he had risen by his unaided ability to the place of minister of finance, the highest administrative post in the Russian empire.

necessary funds will be secured without difficulty. The last resting place of the sturdy old patriot was viewed one day last week by many of the visi tors to Lincoln Park, and the need of a memorial was apparent to all. Drifted snow and barren trees gave a barren look to the spot which in summer is one of the most attractive in the park.