New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-23
A PENULTIMATUN9

The latest Japanese note TO Russia is, we are
told, not an ultimatum. But if reports concern
ing it are true, it seems to be what might be
called a "penultimatum." 1t is, that is to say,
a message the reply to which is likely to be
either such concession as will lead to peace
full settlement or such a defiance as can scarcely
avoid provoking ultimatum. Which it will
be it would be rash to prophesy. There can be
no doubt that strong international influences
are being exerted in favor of peace The Ger
man government is said to have advised German
capitalists not to loan money for war purposes
TO either Japan or Russia. Now, both those
powers would need money in case of war.
though it is not certain that lack of money
would restrain them from war. 1t is proverbiaI
that silver and gold are the 'sinews of war"
Yet We remember hearing it authOritatively
said that lack of funds never yet kept ma
ton from war when the warlike spirit was
aroused
Russia has of course, no warlike spirit among
the people. There is no popular opinion or
public spirit in that country. The government
and the ruling classes are probably averse to
war at this time. They are not ready for it.
They would much rather postpone the "irre-
pressible conflict a few years more Japan.
the other hand, has a we'll developed and
most intelligent and judicious public opinion.
determination turned toward war, unless Rus
STA shall recede greatly from her present posi-
ton. There is reason TO believe that upon that
point the people and the government of japan
are in entire accord. That is partly because
Japan realizes that she cannot yield to Russia's
monstrouS demands without most gravely COM
promising her own future security and welfare,
and partly because it is seen that if Japan must
fight Russia at any time the sooner she does it
the better.
Complicated as the issue between the two
countries at first seemed, it is now perfectly
simple. 1t all turns upon the question whether
Russia will concede to Japan the same rights
in Corea that Japan comedies to Russia in Man
churia. Japan is willing that Russia shall con-
troll Manchuria, provided she opens the ports of
it to the worlds commerce. She asks that
Russia will give her as free hand in Corea
Manifestly Japan's title to Corea is far stronger
than Russia's to Manchuria But to that eouita
bic proposition Russia is understood TO denur
She wants absolute control of Manchuria for
herself, and she wants in addition an eoual
share Of Corea with Japan. To that japan does
not seem inclined to assent and there need be
no hesitation in saying that she should not as
sent to it.
Russias claim upon COrea is purely Fictitious
She has never had to invade that country for
the restoration Of order, as she did Manchura
Corea has never given her offence. But some
time ago Russia sought and secured the privi-
lege OF cutting timber along the Yalu River
which forms the boundary between Corea and
China. Having secured that she presently pre-
tended that 1t gave her suzeraInty over the
whole Yalu Valley, to the crest OF the mountains
separating it from the rest Of Corea 1t was as
though the United States, getting the privilege
- Al
Grande, should forthwith assume proprietorship
Of Coahuila, Chihuahua and all the northern
States OF Mexico drained by the Rio Grande
1t though the United States In the old
days when Louisiana belonged to Spain, having
secured permission to cut timber on the western
bank Of the Mississippi should have claimed
ownership or control of the whole Mississippi
Valley, clear to the Rocky Mountains. OBJ
viously, Japan cannot yield TO such pretensions,