The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-10-05
ALL. TINES FOR PEACE.

Objections to the presidents peace conference
proposal as ill-tmed such as are reported to be
made in the Russian press, are not well taken says
the New York Tribune The idea seems to be that a
peace conference while two great nations are at war
would be improper, and would seem to be an at.
tempt to medde between the belligerents. The lat
ter suggestion may be dismissed at once. There is
no thought of meddling America, in common with
other powers deplores the present war; and would
be glad to see it ended. 1t would doubtless be glad
restoring peace if such was the desire of the belig
erents But it has had and will have no thought of
intruding into the quarrel More than six years
ago this country gave European powers to under
stand that its controversy with Span then tending
ominously toward war, was one in which it could
not recognize the right of any other power to IN
tervene 1t accords to Russia and Japan the same
right to fight their quarrel out between them
selves without alien interference.
As to the idea that time of war is not suit
able time to talk of peace it does not appeal to rea
son. All times are fitting to talk of peace. 1t has
long been proverbial that in times of peace men
should prepare for war Logically, then, in time Of
war they should prepare for peace. Why notf A
peace congress would not be retroactive. 1t would
not meddle with war that began before it was
summoned, any more than did the former congress
at The Hague attempt to dictate a settlement of the
dispute between Great Britain and the Boer States,
which was then rapidly moving toward war. 1t
may be question whether Russia and Japan
would be willing to send representatives to be fel-
low members Of such congress, though no con-
vineing reasons appear why they should not do so
Just as they both send representatives to be fellow
ministers at various seats Of government With the
clear understanding that they would not be called
upon to compromise their independent standing asI
belligerents or have their conduct in the present
war called into question, there is really no good
reason why those two powers should not take part
in the proposed conference provided it is called
before their war is ended, as it may or may not be
Certainly we cannot subscribe to the theory that
no peace congress properly be held as long asI
there is war in the world.
bSSiHAuoNAA -
Noyost of st. Petersburg that international law is
polite myth of which every item is violated when
ever it suits the convenience Of some strong nation
@ do it. We are under no illusions concerning in
ernationa law, but have frequently pointed out in
hese columns its yagueness and the difficulty Of
Enforcing its putative provisions. Nevertheless we
,eleve it is true that many Of its important prin.
,iples are respected by civilized powers and are
,beyed by them, even to their own inconvenience.
We are certain that in the Spanish war this country
Dbeyed prescriptions of international law when it
would have been to its advantage to ignore them,
md we believe that in the present war both Rus
ia and Japan are doing the same. We are, more
ver, inclined to think that out of this war will
row more definite and explicit international code
or the regulation Of belligerent operations in fu
ure and that it will be accepted and respected by the
latons Of the world.