COUNT WITTE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8203, 28 July 1915, Page 8

COUNT WITTE.

RUMOURS CONCERNING HIS DEATH.

Currency is. given in /New York to a strange rumour about'- the death of Count Witte. The New York "Independent" .says:-— „ "It is being whispered about jn vari» ous circles that Sergius Witte did not die a natural ideath, but was put out of the way with the'connivance of the, Ifcussian Government. '

"As, the story goes, Count Witte went to Berlia, incognito about a,| month befoFO fus death to sound the; 1 Kaiser on tho possibility of concluding | a peace between Germany and' Russia; without regard to tho other Allies, and that he ..returned with terms so favourable as to greafl^y. encourage the peace party in Russia of which he was the leader. .-■<■■

"Quito probably this rumour of seoret assassination has no foundation whatever,,. but arose naturally .out of the fact .that- his death, was sudden and unexpected, 'since he was. only 66' and in good' health,!" and that it 6ccurred at a.; peculiarly, opportune tutie to the party: in power.;. Count Witte has always'beenl hated by the military and nobility .because of his ' humble birth, his-American ideas, and -his friendliness to the Jews." i

[A report has also been circulated that Count Witte committed suicide. The famous Russian statesman's death occurred • on. March 13 last, the news from Petrograd being that he died '•from an attack of influenza which lasted five* days.":!