Sagamore Hill

Oyster Bay, New York

August 1905

The sun infused the chauffeured car with a relentless heat. Sergei Witte, the prime minister of Russia, took out a silk cloth and wiped his brow. Witte felt relief when he spied the main gate at Sagamore Hill. The car coasted to a stop in front of a uniformed guard.

The guard ran a quick check and waved the car past. A few moments later, the car approached the mansion. Several darkly clad individuals waited for Witte on the front porch. No doubt, they represented the famous U.S. Secret Service.

The car stopped. An agent opened the door and let Witte out. At six-feet-six-inches tall, he towered over the agent, noting with pleasure that the man had to look up when saying, "Welcome to Sagamore Hill, Mr. Straub."

The Straub identity had been a necessary contrivance to conceal his true identity. The plan he was about to propose could be thwarted if the Tsar became aware of this visit.

The agent invited Witte to proceed up the porch stairs. "President Roosevelt is expecting you and will join you shortly. He asked that you be escorted to the study." The Secret Service agent dutifully logged the guest's assumed name in his register at the door and then escorted Witte to the president's study. "Please have a seat. I'll inform President Roosevelt that you're here," he offered.

As the agent departed, Witte strolled over to the window and gazed out over Long Island Sound. The sunlight shimmered on the blue water, creating the picture of a beautifully peaceful summer day with many sailboats on the sound. What a pity that his business, his reason for visiting Sagamore Hill, would potentially ruin the president's day. This possibility was clear from the moment Witte had requested the clandestine meeting with the young American president.

As he waited, Witte wondered how this all could have happened. How could things have gotten so out of hand? How did he, the prime minister of Russia, end up sitting here in the summer home of the president of the United States, waiting to discuss a topic so sensitive it could never be recorded for history's sake? History might call the topic treason, but Sergei Witte knew it was the only way to preserve Russia. With much sadness, he reflected on the events of the past year. It had been a nightmare. Mother Russia was being ripped apart by revolution, a senseless war, and utterly ineffective leadership by the supreme autocrat of Russia, Tsar Nicholas II.

As Witte stood, perusing the many books lining the mahogany shelves of the president's study, the door opened and in bounded President Theodore Roosevelt. His very presence radiated energy and confidence. Witte towered over Roosevelt, but the president shook Witte's hand so vigorously that the prime minister winced.

"Welcome to Sagamore Hill, Mr. Witte," he exclaimed. "I am honored by your visit, but I am equally confused. Please be seated and we'll chat." They sat in the two facing leather chairs, and the president began the conversation almost immediately in his animated style.

"Mr. Witte, I truly appreciate His Excellency the Tsar's willingness to send you as his representative. I must say, however, I'm a little surprised and confused by your request for this visit. We'll both be in New Hampshire tomorrow for the beginning of the peace negotiations. So, this matter must be very urgent. As requested, you are listed on the official guest roster today under an assumed name. No one other than the two of us will ever know that this meeting has taken place. Now, having said all of this, you must tell me, what urgent matter do you wish to discuss?"

"Mr. President, I'll get right to the point," replied the Russian. "These negotiations will not succeed. Tsar Nicholas will never enter into any agreement." He paused for a moment to gauge the young president's reaction. Roosevelt sat stone-faced as Witte continued. "I felt that you needed to know this reality before the whole process began."

Roosevelt stared past the older man for a few seconds. He then looked at him directly as he responded, the muted anger in his voice very apparent.

"Then why are you here, Mr. Witte? Why did Nicholas send you? If an agreement is not possible, why waste everyone's time? You are well aware that the eyes of the world are upon us! Japan is here in good faith and ready to negotiate. Your message is both unsettling and infuriating!"

The president stood up and, with his hands folded behind his back, walked over to the large picture window overlooking Oyster Bay. After what seemed to Witte an eternity, the president returned to his chair, sat down, and stared hard at the older man.

"Be frank with me, Mr. Witte. I have the feeling that something else is going on here. What is it? Why did you want this meeting?"

"Mr. President, you must believe me when I tell you that I believe in peace, and I believe that this senseless war must end." After recounting the events of the past year for the younger man, he paused and then sighed. "Mr. President, Russia is on the verge of collapse. The people are on the verge of rebellion. We will lose the support of the people entirely if we don't end this senseless war and, more importantly, surrender to their demand for a form of representation in our government. Even a limited form of a Duma, analogous to your House of Representatives, would be acceptable, but Nicholas has refused this solution. I have begged him to accede to the demand, but he absolutely refuses. Every day, more demonstrations and more strikes occur. The country's industries are paralyzed. If we could reach a peace agreement in Portsmouth, it would be helpful, but it would only delay the rebellion. Without a Duma, Russia is doomed to anarchy."

"Again, Mr. Witte," began Roosevelt, "why are you telling me this? Russia's internal affairs are its own, and—"

"Mr. President," interrupted Witte, "a group of us in the highest levels of the government believe in the future of Russia, believe that our country can be spared from the horror of the upcoming rebellion. We have a plan, and we have the will to act. We believe it is our only hope. That is why I'm here in total secrecy.

"The Tsar's uncle, Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich, is totally sympathetic and is willing to do whatever is necessary. He is the commander of the Petersburg garrison, and the military is devoted in its loyalty to him. This man will become the new leader of Russia. He will grant the Duma. Our new government will solidify its power while actually listening to the people, all of the people." He put an emphasis on the word all, knowing that it would appeal to the idealistic Roosevelt. "This plan has been discussed and approved at the highest levels of the Russian government. The Imperial family, of course, knows nothing about it. This approach is our only hope, Mr. President. And we need your help. Of all the world's leaders, you are the one we appeal to in secrecy."