New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-09-30
ILL TINES EOR pE1cE.

Objections 10 the Presidents peace conference
proposal as i'll timed such as are reported 10
be made IN the Russian press are not well
taken. Tie idea seems to be that a peace con
ference while TWO great nations are at war
would be improper and would seem to be an
attempt TO NEEDLE between the belligeyents.
The latter suggestion may be dismissed at once.
There is no thought OF mcd1ling. America in
common with other powers dcplores the pres
ent war. and would be glad 10 see il ended. II
would doubtless be glad to its good offices
as mediator. or as Il means Of restoring peace,
if such was the desire of the belIigerents. But
IL has had and viii have no thought of intTud-
ing into the quarrel. More than six years ago
this country gave European powers to under
stand that It's controversy with Spain then
tending ominously toward war, was one In
which II could not recognize the right Of any
other power TO intervene. 1t accords to Rus
STA and Japan the same right to fight their
quarrel out between themselves without alien
interference.
As To the idea that a time Of war is not a
suitable time to talk of peace, it does not ap-
peal TO reason. All times are fitting for talk
Of peace Ii, has long been proverbiaI that in
time Of peace men should prepare for war.
Logically. then, in time Of war they should
prepare for peace. Why not? peace con
gress would not be retroactive II would not
NEEDLE With war that began before II was
summoned any more than did the former con
gress at The Hague attempt 10 dictate Il set
tlement Of the dispute between Great Brit
ain and the Boer States, which was then rap
idly moving toward war II may be ques.
ton whether Russia AID Japan would be will
ing TO send representatives to be fellow mem
bers Of such congress, though no cOnvinc-
ing reasons appear why they should not do So
Just rs they both send representatives TO be
fellow Ministers at various seats of govern
ment With the clear understanding that they
would not be called upon to compromise their
Independent standing as belgerents, or have
their conduct in the present called into
question, there is really no good reason willy
those two powers should hot take part in the
proposed conference provided it is called be-
fore their war is ended. as it may or may not
be- Certainly we cannot subscribe to the
theory that no peace congress can properly be
held as long as there Is war in the world.
Neither can we agree TO the declaration of
the 'NoyOsti." Of St Petersburg that interna-
tional law IS a polite myth Of which every
item is violated whenever it suits the con
venience Of some strong nation to do it. We
are under no illusions concerning international
law hut have frequently pointed out in these
columns its vagueness and the difficulty OF ell
forcing its putative provisions. Nevertheless.
We DelieSe II is true that many OF Its I'M
portant principles are respected by civilized
powers, and are obeyed 10y them even to their
own Inconvenience. We are certain that in The
Spanish war this country obeyed prescriptions
Of international law when il would have been
70 It's advantage 10 ignore them and we believe
that in the present war both Russia and Japan
are doing the same. We are, moreover, inclined
to think that out Of this war will grow n more
definite and explicit International code for the