The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-09-14
Intervention Proposed.

The interparliamentary union at St.
Louis yesterday adopted resolution
looking to the immediate intervention
of the powers, jointly and separately, in
the Russo-Japanese war. Such inter-
vention is deemed urgent by the dele
gates of fifteen national parliaments in
both hemispheres.
The resolution reflects the sentiments
Of the Gar Nicholas own proposal to
the powers in 1898, which brought about
the international conference at The
Hague, and the organization Of the in
ternational tribunal Of arbitration
there.
Intervention can take place by two
methods only, force and mediation or
persuasion. During the last twenty
years there have been two notable in
terventions by compulsion, which GER
talnly do not commend them as factors
OF peace. England, in 1878, brought
| about the Berlin congress which inter-
vened between Russia and her beaten
foe, Turkey, resulting in a revision of
the distribution Of the Turkish spoils,
| which only famed into flame the relig-
ious and racial animosities of the peo-
pie OF the Balkan peninsula, and made
the hlther eastern question more
menace of war for the "concert of Et-
rope' than previously. In 1895, when
Japan had Inundated China and had
agreed upon terms of peace, Russia, Ger
many and France interfered and de-
prived Japan of large portion Of the
fruits Of her victory, proceeding
which ten years later, brought about the
| present bloody war in the farther east,
I the encroachments of Russia menacing
| the very national life of Japan.
Intervention by the neutral powers
| now, by the most effective pleadipgs for
| peace, would be Of little avail Russia
has been deeply Inundated by ma
ton which her leading military expert
said in the spring that he would ann
hilate by September. Her armies are
in flight from the seat Of war. Her
navy has been practically wiped out in
the Asiatic waters, and the Baltic
squadron, representing the last and most
effective Of the czar's naval resources,
has just steamed out Of the Baltic for
the orient, to avenge dismal sequence
of marine disasters.
Arrangements are making to hurl
against Japan more naval squadrons,
more fighting ,legions, more deadly in
struments of modern warfare Russia g
boosted formidable reserve forces are to
be modified and sent afeld on the
czar's war Of conquest. Such war of
conquest excludes any questions Of ar
bitration. III
Genghis Khan and Tamerlane had
nothing to arbitrate. Neither has the
Gar Nicholas. Even if he were at all
inclined to consider the suggestion of
peace, the war party in Russia would
not permit it. With them the avenge.
ment Of disasters at the hands of the
Japs is the paramount consideration.
Another reason why intervention is
improbable, as recently suggested in
these columns, is that while Russia is
busy with Japan, England has no reason
to fear Russian invasion of India, Ger
many is not menaced by the friendship
Of Russia and France, Austria is not
threatened by Russian intrigue in the
Balkans, and all the powers having in
terests in China are not apprehensive Of
danger to their interests there from
!; Russian domination of Chinese politics
and Chinese territory.