New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-06
LrSr rLEIrS OF THE VAR

The war has now lasted 2 month 1t was n
month ago to-day that Japan recalled her min
lister from 81. Petersburg. The first flush Of
passion has passed. Blows have been struck
and losses have been suffered on both sides.
Each side has had its say" and the world has
heard il. All other lands have had time TO re-
feet upon the war; not as a thing Of pOmp and
circumstance which may come at some future
time, but a thing Of cost and dread which
has actually come upon the world and which
may last no man can tell how long, and may
cost no man dares think how much. There is
common saying at the end OF a contest that
it is "all over except the shouting" In the
case OF this war all the shouting is for
the present, and there remains the need on
the one hand Of work and On the other of sober
and unimpassioned thought
1t is good to see as we think we car see the
growth OF more Just and sane views OF the
war than some that prevailed not long ago.
We can say little about the views that are
held IN Japan, because they are not made
known to the outer world That inscrutable
nation fights behind a mask. Its censor gives
out no news OF the war. and fits people show
little emotion or no more than one Of the old
SamurSi warriors would in committing happy
dispatch. But change is TO be seen in Russia,
a county that in an exceptional degree shows
its feelings TO all beholders. At the beginning
OF the war there was much doubt OF the good
faitA Of America and other lands and there
was also some irritation, IL not anger, al the
amount OF feeling in favor of Japan which was
shown in most countries. There was q readi-
ness 10 believe evil of the United States and
OF all nations that did not express open sym
patty with Russia. that grOundless and
impossible tale OF evil cond':c. by our seamen
at ChemulphO was at once accepted as true.
Now Russia has found out that il was not true,
and Is sorry she listered 10 it She Is coming
TO see too. that the United States is truly neu-
trail In the best of faith, and that nc matter
what private sympathies may be, the American
attitude toward her in diplomatic sense is ali
that she could wish Of her best friend.
There is too, a change in view, and in tone
in this country We do not mean that those
who at first sided with Japan are going over
10 the Russian side, or that the friends of Rus
STA are now shouting for Japan. What we do
mean is that neither side is doing so much
/ shouting. but is doing more calm thinking. and
that all men are coming TO see that this is no
war Of ours, and therefore IL is not one for us
/ to grow hot over or 10 take sides in, but rather
one for TO look upon much a peace keep
ing man looks upon quarrel between two
OF his nelghbors. both OF whom be regards as
his friends and wants TO keep as his friends
Americans should remain Americans, and not
make themselves blind partisans of any for
4 eign country. Some may hope Japan will
win, and may think II for the good OF the world
/ that she should, but there is no reason why
| they should rave against Russia as a despotic
butcher Some may hope Russia viii win. and
think IL better that she should: but they have
no excuse for shrieking that the japanese are
pagan barbarians. Both Japan and Russia are
| great civilized nations with which we have
close diplomatic, commercial and other rela-
/ tons. Our duty is 10 keep those relations nm
impaired and TO act that all through the
war each Of them VIII regard America as a
friend. and viii continue 10 60 so after the
is over. matter which of them wins
Such views. we believe. have been growing since
4 the ontbreak 81 the MAE. and NON prevail gen,