The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-18

| the House ana tne Denate 10 dCU dC tne
session which begins in December.
Has the Time Come for Peace in the
Far East?
1t may be true that Russia is now no
more disposed to accept mediation on
the part of third Power than she was
after Gen. KURoPATKIN's first defeat at
Liaoyang. Does it follow that she would
refuse to treat directly with her antag-
onist, if proposal to that effect should
come from Toxic?
So far as the projected advance from
Mukden and the relief Of Port Arthur are
concerned it must be recognized at st.
Petersburg that all is lost save honor. '
The honor of the Russian arms remains
intact. The defence of Port Arthur is
destined to rank with the defence of Sc
bastopol among the most illustrious
achievements in military history. 1t
presents a memorable contrast to BA-
zAINE's surrender of Metz. 1t is also
true that since the Visigoths and the
Moslems fought for a week in the great
battle that decided the fate of Spain the
world has witnessed no more amazing
proofs Of heroic fortitude than have been
exhibited at Yentai by the army under
Gen. KURoPATKIN. That army has been
beaten, but it has inflicted such terrible
losses on the enemy that 1t has no i'm
mediate pursuit to dread.
Apparently it is optional with the
Russian commander to concentrate his
forces behind the Notifications Of Muk-
den or to retire unmolested to Tie Pass,
from which he could hardly be dislodged,
unless Japanese f1anking columns should
succeed in seizing positions on the rail-
way in his rear. 1t must be recognized
at Toxic that while Marshal OYAMA has
twice outmaneuvred and outfought his
antagonist the defeat in neither instance
has been a rout. The Japanese have
learned what CHARLES XII. and NAPo-
LEON discovered, that for the indomita-
bic Russian discontinue seldom means
catastrophe. The forward movement
begun by Gen. KURoPATKIN-evidently
in compliance with peremptory orders
from the Czar-has, it is true, been
stopped, but what else has the Mikado
gained, at the cost Of tremendous sacr-
fee Of human life, sacrifice which, of
the two combatants, Japan is the less
able to bear?
Would it not now be the part of pru-
dence for Japan to profit by the period
of inaction which is almost certain to
follow the eIhausting struggle at Yentai
and suggest terms of peace SO studiously
moderate that they might be accepted,
or at least considered, without any loss
Of dignity
Suppose that the Toxic Government
should say: We do not ask you to oede
to us the island of Saghalien, much less
Vladivostok, or a square mile Of main
land territory which is acknowledged to
be Russian. We do not ask for pc
cuniary indemnity. We simply request
you to recognize our suzerainty over
Corea, and to restore to China the whole
of Chinese Manchuria, including the
Liaotung peninsula, your lease Of which
has been rendered valueless by the fort
unes of war. The restoration, however,
must be prompt and complete. At the
end of a designated time not single
Russian soldier should remain south of
the Amur River, and the Manchurian
Railway should be transferred from the
private Russian capitalists who ostensi-
bly, own it to the Chinese Government
The cost Of reimbursing them for their
outlay is naturally to be assumed by
the Gear, but the burden would not be a
heavy one, if it be true that the nominal
owners are dummies and that the rail-
ways have really been built and equipped
at the expense Of the Russian treasury.
Why should such terms as these be
repealed at st. Petersburg? Up to the
outbreak OF hostilities Russia persist
emily protested that she had no intention
Of disputing China's sovereignty over
the three Manchurian provinces. She
promised in writing to evacuate the
whole region at stated dates. Japan
would now ask her to make good the
promise. AS for the lease Of Port Arthur,
1t is obvious that, once in Japanese hands,
that fortress can never be retaken so
long as its defenders command the sea.
As for Corea, Russia's principal motive
for desiring ascendency therein was the
wish to secure an ioe-free harbor; but
the importance of such an acquisition
is minimized now that it is plainly need
full to renounce the hope of supremacy
In Far Eastern waters. By accepting
such terms as We have indicated Russia