New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-23
TIE PRoBLEu AT SHANGHAI.
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There has seemed to us and there now seems,
10 be no danger Of any awkward complications
between this country and other powers over the
question Of Chinese neutrality in this war, and
especially over the status Of the Russian war
ships now in asylum at Shanghai. There have
been some extraordinary tales about American
ships 'shadowing' the japanese, protecting the
Russians and what not Perhaps the best COM
mept upon them is that they come from Shang-
hal and we all know what Shanghais reputa-
ton is as a source Of mendacity. 10 doubt the
United States could dominate the situation there
II it pleased it 10 DO So for its fleet is by. far
more powerful than that of any other Western
nation save Great Britain No doubt, however,
the United States has no thought OF intruding
Itself into affairs in any such way. unless of
course, its own interests should he attacked,
when il would doubtless give a most satsfac-
tory account Of Itself. IS NE have hitherto OBJ
served in connection with China and also with
Venezuela and other troubled countries Amer
Tea is not al international bailiff
Nor does It seem thar there is any occasion
for outside interference at Shanghai The Rus
sans arc apparently acting with strange disre-
gard Of the proprieties if not of the peremptory
requirements Of international law and the Jan
snese naturally resent their conduct, while the
chinese are ar once impotent TO act and in
decisive in counsel II seems to be the case Of
the Manchuria over again, and II is TO be ex-
pected 1t will end as that one did but a little
mere promptly In that case the Russians
abused Chinese hospitality for weeks. refusing
either 10 take their ship out of Chinese wat
or 10 disarm and dismantle It until the end of
lie war, while at the same time they claimed
chinese protection against the japanese. The
Shlhese were hesitant and helpless, q nd the jap
anese were remarkably patient At last the
Russians yielded, weeks late, when they found
the japanese were about 10 take foreIbe action
Ihis tine japanese patience will scarcely On.
dose as long as IL did then, for the issues in
VOWED are greater. They simply cannot AZ
iofo ana cannot be expected TO keep number
or their ships permanently bIockading the neu
ua' treaty port OF Shanghai TO prevent the
escape OF Russian warships which are being
natooreo there IN violation of international law
insy hola' WIN reason. that the Russian ebips
shouio either leave the port forthwith or be
"isaI lheo ana dismantled and laid up until the
Gnu OF me war. IL seems 10 be the general
"puhoh mat in case the Russians choose tho
is'ter course the japanese have right TO enter
ne harhor and make sure il has been followed
~ good falth. That appears TO be what ,bav
o'u Ca sunday, and that was the innocent action
"nich caused SO great sensation
III IS to be assumed. certainly hoped. that tba
RUSSIANS VIII promptly take this course II Is
COZ amended 70 them BIZ both princInle and
polcy. They would not trifie aud procro stinata
over u ~ this way II they were in a German or
british or an American port They womb
hot ne permitted 70. But they know Chin, Inn :
nof the i'iiSscal power 70 enforce hnr pAulralt,,
eA-et'' therefore they Hout her authority. Eat