New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-19
INCREDIBLE, UNLESS


A current press dispatch from Toxic concern
ing Russia's reply to Japan must be regarded as
incredible. save on the basis Of some extraor-
binary hypothesis. II is 20 the effect that
Russia proposes TO deny the rights and privi-
leges Of the United States in Manchuria under
the treaty just made with China. The report
does not state ii SO directly. II INDUCES in
SINE eircumlocut;on. But the meaning is the
same. Russia we are told. will respect the
rights and privileges acquired by the powers
"in Manchura under existing treaties with
China, excepting the establishment OF foreign
settlements, and In so far these rights and
privileges are not prejudicial TO Russia's failure
relations with Manchuria." Our rights. that is.
are TO be respected, excepting one of the most
essential and fundamental OF them ALL when
Russia herself is enjoying in an extrenl" meas
IRE, and excepting such others of them as
Russia thinks may at some time Interfere WIN
some Of her future enterprises In that country.
Never was there more palpable case than that
would be Of keeping the word OF promise 10
the ear and breaking il to the sense. 1t is SIM
ply incredible that Russia has made a declara-
ton so hagrantly offensive and defiant TO the
United States and all other powers.
Unless, indeed, II has been put forth by hus-
sia's extraordinary representative at the Corean
L
bic explanation OF IT, II is. we have said. an
extraordinary hypothesis But then Mr.. raw
loft seems to be m extraordinary man. He has
already made some OF the most extraordinary
utterances in all this controversy. He has
been calling the Japanese "Superhcially civilized
mediaevals veneered with modernity." That
from one Of those OF whom it IS proverbiaily
said, Scratch him, and you will find Tartar!
He has also been predicting that IL the Jap
anese invade Corea they twill commit excesses
which will be charged to Russia Did the Jap
anese commit the excuses which were charged
TO Russia at Biagovestchenk, and at Kishinen.
and elsewhere? Finally. it is impossible, says
Mr.. Payloff. for civilized Russia TO see the Jap
anese dominate Corea, for lit is not light mat
ter TO have a free nation oblterated." In the
name Of Finland. and Of Poland. and Of North
ern Armenia! - free nation obliterated"!
Truly, no statement could be too extraordinary
for this extraordinary representative Of Russian
Jlngoism.
But it is not believable that the Russian gov
eminent. the government Of Nicholas ii and
Lamsdorf and Mouravieif and White, inspires
CT countenances such stuff, or contemplates for
a moment such denial Of American treaty rights
in China as is now reported On the contrary,
we should think these things must be decidedly
offensive TO it, being prejudicial TO its inter
ests. There is no feature Of the case more evil
dent than that Russia has failed 10 secure any
considerable sympathy from other nations in
her aggressions upon Japan, hut is isolated in
an exceptional degree. 1t can scarcely be pleas
Ing 10 the Cars government to have utterances
made, especially by its own agents, winch must
inevitably ALLEVIATE still more the sympathies
Of the civilized world.