New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-03
JAPAN, RUSSIA AND UNITED STATES
Where the Sympathies of This Country
Should Be in the Present Conflict.
} the Editor OF The Trlhnna.

N~AS
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: I have read with much interest the letters
in yesterdays Tribune headed why Japan Is At
War" for I wished to learn why. and also to
gather from the article why the sympathy Of the
United States should be strongly en- the side of
Japan; so strongly as to ALLEVIATE powerful and
friendly nation that has shown US IN so many ways
her friendship and earnest desire to servo US.
I regret to say that in neither letter have
found sufficient reason for this sympathy. The
letter Of Mr.. Henry CIews tells me in the first para
graph that the japanese love their Emperor and
that the Russians fear theirs; in the second para
graph. Of the discipline OF the Japanese Of their
earnestness and interest in the war; In the third OF
the education Of the Japanese; in the fourth OF
their adaptive qualites in the fifth. Of his services
to the japanese government in a financial way. All
this is interesting and instructive but not what
after.
The letter Of the Marquis Ito says the Japanese
are to a certain extent fighting the cause Of all
because the policy Of Russia has been the "monop-
olization OF natural resources OF the country she
conquers and annexes" and that japan is fighting
for the principle OF fair competition all around"
Beyond this statement find nothing in his letter
TO warrant our sympathy and account for our Do
slton OF unfriendliuess TO our former friend and
ally Russia 1 sincerely believe I have not missed
any point in either letter and in a spirit OF fair
ness, would ask II this ALL why are we so fool
ish as TO place. ourselves in such a ridiculous and
absurd position as we are in2 Bismarck says IN his
Autobiography: In time OF peace I consider II
Wanton rehabilitation 70 attract or encourage III
temper, unless some practical political aim is con-
nected Herewith. and TO sacrifice the liberty OF
ones future decisions and connections to vague and
unrequited sympathies' It seems TO me that we
have deliberately-no. not deliberately but un-
thinkngly, foolishly and wantonly-self-debiitated
ourselves by making OF a friend enemy and by
taking into our friendship nation that has never
shown US friendship IN any material way
The statement OF the Marquis Ito that they are
for free competition" IS not justified by the cam
phor monopoly Of Japan. Since japanese DONNA
ton Of FormOsa the production Of camphor and its
distribution is close monopoly. and believe the
same policy viii be pursued by Japan wherever she
has opportunity.
Now. while may respect japanese shrevdness
versatility, courage and many other estimable
qualities. I must say that am surprised ar tba
position taken by many Of our citizens toward
Russia It reminds me Of Mlton's "swinish gIut-
tony which, with besotted. base ingratitude. BIAS
phemes his feeder" We owe TO Russia o,r no
tional life. Is there any doubt OF this? There %
none in my mind Now II prize that life. should
We not be most grateful to its preserver? Without
I Russia's moral support to in the 6Os-and
not alone her moral support. but her active sym
pathy-our country would have been divided It Is
not fair to say now, forty years later that con-
temporary opinion regarding the matter was mis-
taken; the opinions OF those who saw things at
close range must be taken as correct. Mayor Lin
coin of Boston at banquet to the officers Of the
Russian feet June Z. 1864 said:
1t is under no ordinary circumstances that we are
assembled this evening around our festive board
try character and position Of our distnguiShed
guests. give TO the occasion a significance and
our people are drawing near to the close Of a
tegTty Of our national existence At such a time
we are assembled here TO entertain by. becoming
inequalities the representatives of foreign nation
whose sympathy has uniformly encouraged our
EFFORTS; ana VINO VIII rejoice with US in the tri-
given best blood and treasure.
line Inc true tTateTnal relation Of one nation to an
and the otbe~ with ma nv co,,To S IN uXJIs5ly
votion seeks TO cheer by its moral influence and
to show by outward demonstrations the strength
I can assure you Mr. Admiral and gentlemen.
that this assembly is convened for no Idle purpose
ment Is sincere and enduring; you have offered us
your ane as a Ple49e OF lLIeIQsP IN TINS DAY OF
Of nations grant that in future nothing may occur
relations now existing between the people of our
respective nations
The Hon. Edward Everett said
Russia was one Of the nrst to recognize our in.
as mediator we accepted the offer but ENGLAND
rejected it. But IT is during our own tremendous
the firm. the consistent friend of country
His peroration was as follows:
respond, therefore Mr. Mayor to your toast
t Hls Rnse o apG long t a5 IN
ent friend. and ] contemplate with patriotic pride
ments and peoples by the golden chain Of friend
snip ana peace. Never, never may Its links be
parted.
Mr.. Richard H. Dana. jr, proposed the following
toast5
The friendship of Russia and America beginning
with national existence. in darkest hour
showing abatement may it last as long as there
IS Russia in the Old World and the United States
In the New.
Rear Admiral stringham offered the following:
Russia the great empire of the North; the United
States the great republic of the North; may they
continue be to each other until the compass
forgets to be true TO the Pole.
At the festival given in honor of the Russian sail
ors of the fleet at Music Hall on June g. the fol-
lowing song sung by the assembled school
children
Sea Birds OF Auscovy. rest in our waters.
Fold white wings by rock-girdled shore
While with glad voices its and its daughters
Welcome the friends you have waited
Sea Kings Of Neva. hearts throb greeting.
Down 70 the fount whsrJ life pulses beating
Sink the kind accents you bear 70 US all
Fires OF the North. in eternal communion,
Blend your broad flashes With evenings bright star
God bless the Empire that loves the Great NatioP
Strength 10 her people, Long life 10 the CZari
As one Of the school children who sang this song
with gratitude and devotion in my heart who
looked upon those bearded friends as preservers OF
ouE haaon LIE. ask. In Heavens name. what has