New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-03
RUSSIA AGAINST THE WORLD.

One Of the most significant features Of the
controversy in the Far East is the friendless-
ness Of Russia. In her aggressions upon China,
Corea and japan she literally has not the sup
port Of a single nation. but is acting against
the sentiment the sympathies and the convic-
lions OF the whole civilized world. We cannot
recall another case in modern history, unless
IL be that Of the closing days OF Bonaparte's
empire, in which a great power involved in
great controversy completely isolated
from mankind. That does not, Of course. mean
that Russia would necessarily stand alone in
case of a war involving a number Of powers
Considerations of policy and OF balance Of
power" might impel one or more nations TO
take the Russian side against their own sym
pathies, though it would not be through ap-
sproval of her course so much as through fear
OF letting others gain too much power by con-
quering her. But the impressive fact is that
lsn the present controversy no nation has given
ITS moral or diplomatic influence in favor of
Russia, or has given her assurances Of its sym
pathy, or has sought TO Justify the attitude and
conduct Of Russia before the world, while on
the other hand, expressions favorabl 10 Japan
have been innumerable.
That is a circumstance OF which even the
most benevolent neutral observer cannot fail
20 take account. It must mean much We
may grant bTlLdan Is an
tagonistic 10 Russia, as she has cause 70 be.
and that Austria's desires and designs In the
Balkan have overcome the affection for Russia
(which she manifested half a century ago But
there is France. the actual ally of Russia
Neither from her people nor her government
proceeds any manifestation Of sympathy with
Russia in this quarrel. A word from France
20 Japan IN Russia's favor would have much
weight, but IL is unspoken. The appearance
of French fleet in the Baltic to take the place
OF the Russian feet dispatched 10 the China
seas would have much effect. but none is sent
There, too. is Germany, whose policy has long
been 10 cultivate Russian friendship. Nine
years ago she openly Joined Russia in coercing
Japan. To-day she speaks not a word I'm Rus
sia's favor So much for the official attitude.
The popular attitude in both those countries is
almost as strongly IN favor of Japan as it is in
the United Kingdom or in the United States.
II may, Of course be explained that these
powers are restrained from espousing the Rus
sian cause by the fact that the AnCIo,Japanese
treaty would make Great Britain the active ally
OF Japan in case any other power Joined Russia
II that he the reason, then, OF a truth Grea-
Britain is not the negligible quantity that some
have affected 10 regard her. We have no doubt
that that consideration would be particularly
potent II Il were necessary TO call It into ac-
count But we cannot perceive that IL has thus
been called into account Apart from f. and
before reaching IT, the nations appear TO have
concluded that Russla's course is morally I'm
defensible, and that Japan is entitled to the
sympathy Of civilization. Otherwise we NAV
he sure that German and French diplomatists
would have been making representations a,
TOXIC and in London on the Russian side Of the
question. Efforts 10 persuade Japan that she
ought Ia yield 10 Russia and 70 persuade Great
Britain that she ought not to encourage Japau
10 resist Russia would not have been n breach