New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-14
ARBITRATION In FAR EAST
TRIBUNE'S SUGGESTION.
Public Opinion IN France Fauors
Such a Solution.

'S0ecial to The New-York Tribune BY FrepSh cabie>
Copyright: 1904: BY The Trib-ae Assoeiaton)
Paris Jan. 13-The suggestion of The New
York Tribune 10 refer the Russo-Japanese diff
cuity to the Hague Tribunal has been widely re-
produced In the Temps" the Journal des
Debats.' the 'Liberte." the "Matin." the Fl
gar~. the "Gau,ois." "Gn Bias" the Journal"
the Petit Journal and in the leading papers of
the departments the idea. on the whole. comes as
welcome solution in the present pacific tendency
of the Gallo spirit for everywhere. except
among a few redhot Nationalist. any notion of
France being drawn into active intervention Is
dreaded as awful calamity. Nevertheless,
moderate patriotic organs, such as the Temps
and the Journal des Debats" refrain from urg-
ing Frances great and beloved ally the Emperor
of Russia. to take the initiative. and The Trib-
unes suggestion is published without comment
The true gist of French opinion is set forth in
the conversation 1 had to-day with the French
apostle of arbitration and the French delegate
to the Hague Tribunal. Baron d'Estournelles de
Constant, Deputy of the Sarthe. who made the
following statement:
We must not expect too much from the Hague
Court Its creation is still recent, and yet last
year and the year before all the European pow
ers. France included. were more or less hostile
TO the court and tried to boycott it. 1t is only
the prudent initiative of the United States that
has saved the Hague Court from that tacit
hostile coalition. but President Roosevelt in do
ing when he sent before the court the ca Sc
of the Pious Fund of California. took great care
TO choose that case among the small and merely
financial foreign difficulties of his government
He would never have begun with a big political
affair and if another government had advised
him to follow different line he would have
certainly refused to listen to 1t.
1t is the same with Russia. for Russia un-
doubtedly considers her difference with Japan as
national one. and that is why think it would
be useless to advise her TO bring it before ths
Hoo hut ral
60 to The Hague she cannot forget the Hague
Convention which may give to her. we'll as
to Japan. important facilities for the settlement
of their conflict. For instance. it has been de-
cided by Article III that every civilized power is
morally bound to offer her bons Offices. Very
likely England has already offered her bons Of
fees to Japan. and IL may be that France. in
accordance with the universal pacific feeling OF
opinion. has rendered the same TO her ally. Rus
sia.
1 am afraid nothing more can be done now.
Let us begin. as President Roosevelt has done.
with small cases. AS for the great questions.
let US try to settle them with the resources of
the bons offices.
Adrien Hebrard Editor.of the Temps" when
consulted on the subject. declined to express an
opinion. considering the matter. in view OF the
French alliance with Russia. too delicate for
France to take the initiative in such a proposal
NJ. Perivier. Editor OF Gil Bias" approved
generally The Trihnne's suggestion. but ex-
pressed confidence that war would be averted
and deprecated the maroeuvres OF Stock Ex-
change SPECTATORS. who seemed 70 be using all
their efforts to precipitate a conflict
Senator Saint -Geruain, when asked for his
views on the subject. said:
It would be a splendid thing II the Hague
Tribunal should give n pacific solution of the
Russo-Japanese difference. The Emperor OF
Russia has assumed the title of Emperor OF
Peace. and utilizing the Hague Tribunal would
be an excellent opportunity to justify such o
title. If Nicholas ii would only manifest de-
sire TO refer the dispute to The Hague Japan
would be compelled TO submit to such arbitra-
tion. and this would terminate the matter peace
fully. Otherwise the dispute may have far
reaching consequences.
Firm confidence prevails here that the dis
pute between Russia and Japan will be settled
amcably by giving Japan predonlinance in
Corea and by Russia observing the. open door
treaties IN Manchuria. c. IB.