The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-29

Sxar' VINO suggested the hague Pca0o
Tribunal. Saved From n Serious Crisis
by the First Important Use OF This
Tribunal-France's Appeal to Him ON
This Ground Ell ectIye--C0mmission Of
Inquiry, Provided For in the Hague
Conventions. to Ascertain the Facts
London Thinks II peace with HONOR
Special Cabs Despatch 10 THE SUN.
LONDON, Oct. 2s.-The war crisis has
passed for the time being. Russia and
England have agreed to arbitrate the ques-
ton OF the responsibility for the North
Sea outrage. With unexampled magma
nimity. Great Britain has consented to make
use OF the machinery Of The Hague Tri-
bunal to determine, not the settlement Of
the controversy, but the facts which UNDER
lie it.
As Mr.. Balfour clearly indicated in his
speech at Southampton tonight these
facts are really beyond dispute. The sole
object in submitting the evidence to an
international board is to keep within the
jurisdiction of diplomacy an issue which
otherwise would plunge two great Powers
into war within another twenty-four hours.
1t happens therefore with peculiar ap-
propriateness that the first important uss
OF this instrument which the Car created
is to save his empire from the swift ruin
which the folly of his Government was
inviting.
FRANCE GAVE GREAT AID.
This result has been achieved only with
the greatest difficulty, and it is due largely
to the earnest unofficial intercession of
France. 1t is suggested to-night-and st.
Petersburg reports seem to bear out the
, suggestion-that NJ. Delcasse, the French
Minister Of Foreign Affairs, appealed to
the Cars vanity by urging that the situa-
ton afforded him signal opportunity Of
d, nonstrating the practical value OF The
Hague institution in safeguarding the
peace OF the world in grave emergencies.
No other plea could have been so effective.
The Cars imperial duties are a heavy
and unwelcome burden upon him. Tho
Hague Peace Conference was almost the
only important public matter which ever
aroused his genuine interest and pride.
1t Is easy to believe. therefore, that an
appeal to use IL In averting a war other
wise inevitable would arouse In him suf-
ficient courage and determination to enable
him to thwart the arrogant advisers 70
whose will he usually yields
CARS ACTION RESENTED BY ADvIsHRs.
There are signs that his action Is deeply
resented by the truculent cabal which
still controls Russian destinies. Count
Lamedorff Is more or less openly deepissd
and fouted by the directors OF both naval
and military departments, who will do
everything in their power to rob the present.
con oession to British demands Of any prae-
teal effect
1t is quite true, as noted in one ST. Peters-
burg despatch, that they regard the hating
Of the Baltic fleet for the purpose OF an
inquiry into the North Sea incident as con-
shutting In itself a greater disgrace and
humiliation to Russia than anything that
has happened in the Eastern campaign.
These are the fire-eating gentlemen who
sent out the feet with orders sweeping
enough to justify it in firing at any vessel
which happened to lie in its path or which
dared approach it on the high seas.
PuNIsHMENT MAY Re THE CHINESE. SORT.
In the hands OF these men will lie the
duty OF Furnishing such officers as may be
held responsible for the outrage. 1t IN
more than probable that the discipline in
such case will be Of the Chinese descrip-
ton, where the victim is nominally punished,
but really rewarded. The British Govern
ment probably is under no decisions upon
this point The reference to an interna-
tonal tribunal by no means disposes Of
the demand for punishment in addition
to apology and indemnity.
But the chief object Of the reference,
and the point now definitely gained, has
been the postponement Of the whole Issue
until the intense passion which has been
aroused in both countries has time to cool.
That having been accomplished, it is OK
tremely improbable that the future refusal
or neglect Of Russia to carry out her implied
pledge OF retribution will again bring tho
two countries to the verge OF war
CHANCE OF WAR NOW VERY REMOTE.
The incident in a word, is not closed.
but it will probably be kept within the
field Of diplomacy. Other disturbing Incl
-L.l< A,,A Itr.l4
macy can deal successfully with 20 gross
an outrage as this there Is good reason
for hoping that all future complications In
the course OF the present war may be