New-York tribune., 1903-05-04
AMERICA IN MANCHURIA.

News concerning Manchuria is increasingly
hopeful. The Russian Government has formal
ly and in the most positive manner disclalmed
the intentions recently ascribed to It, and with
that disclaimer, suitably realized in acts, we
NAV well be satisfied. We may pass by the
question whether there was any ground for the
very circumstantiai reports of Russias demands
upon China. The essential thing is that such
demands. as well rs the news of them, are dis
tinctly repudiated by Russia and positive assur-
ances are offered that she will do nothing IN
contravention of our treaty rights. That as
surance. Loyalty executed, is all that can be de-
sired. Not the least gratifying feature of the
case is the patent fact that Russia has with
drawn from her extreme demands, or has re
Trained from making them, chiefly because of
the known opposition of the United States there
to. That fact seems to be recognized on all
hands and Is not resented even by Russia,
since she sees that our interest in Manchuria
is commercial rather than political. Technical
Iy of course the United States Government ad-
dressed itself to China insisting upon the fulfil
ment of that country's treaty obligations; and,
considering the friendly part America has
played toward China in the last few years,
there is no country on earth whose representa-
tons should have more weight with China But
America really addressed Russia over China's
shoulder and with Russia, too, the just demands
of America should have much weight
What will be the sequel to this interesting
episode is yet to be seen. There is reason to
hope that it will be something far better than
that forecast in the illogical mixture Of pessi-
mism and optimism which has here and there
been discerned. Russia, some faint hearted COM
mentators have told us, is certain TO have her
way If she does not grab Manchuria now she
will do so soon. It is impossible to stop her.
China is not able TO resist her. Japan will not
venture to intervene alone. Great Britain has had
enough of war to last her for some years The
United States will go no further than to make
some diplomatic inquiries and representations;
and France and Germany are on Russias side.
So much for the atrabilarious pessinist But
in the next breath he appears as cheerful
optimist. saying that ali that is needed is TO
procure from Russia promise that our rights
in Manchuria will be respected. and intimating
that for the sake of preserving American
friendship, Russia will grant to this country
full commercial freedom in Manchuria while
denying it to ali the rest OF the world.
It is probable that the pessimistic views
quoted are unwarrantably pessimistic. There
is ground for belief in the possibility of main
tanning treaty rights and obligations even
against Russia. 1t is practically certain that
the optimistic views quoted are vanity of Vani-
ties. Practically they mean that one broken
promise is to be atoned for by another promise
made by the same promise breaker. We do not
mean to arraign Russia as a promise breaker
II is TO be hoped and expected that she VIII
fulfil her promises. But IL the pessimistic views
we have quoted should prove correct and be
fulfilled she would be promise breaker. She
has categoricalIy promised this country that
she viii respect and maintain the "open door
I'm China She has explicitly promised China
that she will evacuate Manehuria. If now she
should close the "open door, and should re-
main in occupation and control of Manchuria,
she would be breaking both those promises
In such a case, what folly It would be to put
trust in any new promise which she might
make,
Not st all commendable, either, is the sug-
pestion that Russia might give America exclu-
sive privileges in Manchuria, leaving the door
open for Us while closing 1T against the rest OF
the world. Such an arrangement would be or
fensiye to America. This country does not
want exclusive privileges; it wants "a fair field
and no favor" 1t does not want TO sneak into