New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-09
WHY NOTS

world confess that they expect it. Beyond
question. its occurrence in the immediate fut
IRE seems strongly probable, Moreover. the
menace, not only Of war. but of the extent ana
importance of the war. increases conflict
between Russia and Japan alone would be ire
mendous. But each of them has powerful
ally bound by solemn convention to join IN
the fray IN case Of q contingency which 1t
might he hard 10 avoid Indeed, without such
alliances and such treaties so closely are the
interests OF Western Europe concerned in the
dispute that il would be difficult for these
powers to avoid participation in the war. In
BRIEF the threat OF war between Russia and
Japan might easily be transformed into a gen.
erai European war. Without INDUCING in
fanciful alarms ii must be said that the world
is to-day confronted with the possibility of
such q menace. In the face Of IT, what is being
done to avert the unspeakable catastrophe?
There comes to mind n day in August, 1898,
when a Russian imperial rescript startled the
world, not with apprehension and alarm, as do
the Russian utterances of to-day. but with hope
and JOY. 1t spoke of the maintenance of gen
eral peace as IAN ideal toward which the en-
"deavOrs of all governments should be direct
ed" II declared that ''the humanitarian and
"magnanimous ideas OF His Majesty the En-
''peror have been won over 10 this view in the
conviction that this lofty aim is in conformity
with the most essential interests and legtti-
mate views Of all the powers, and the i'm
''perial government thinks the present moment
would be very favorable to seeking the means"
The rescript dwelt with force upon the evils
Of great ornaments as n means Of preserving
peace, upon the superiority Of international dis
cussion, and upon the longing Of all the world
for relief from militarism and the menace of
war. Therefore the Emperor. through this re-
script proposed 10 the powers of the world an
international conference which should consider
the substitution of reason for arms. This con
ference" concluded the rescript, will be by
the help Of God happy presage for the cen
fury which is about 10 open. It would con-
verge into one powerful focus the efforts OF
ALI states sincerely seeking TO make the great
conception OF universal peace triumph over
''the elements of trouble and discord, and It
would at the same time cement their agree
''ment 10y 4 corporate conservation Of the prin-
''ciD!es Of equity and right, whereon rest the
security OF states and the welfare OF peoples
Those were noble words, we'll worthy OF one
OF earth's most powerful rulers, and equally
worthy Of n most sincere and deVout friend OF
peace and of humanity.
There come TO mind. too. other dates and
deeds. In January, 1899. the Russian govern
ton to the nations to meet In conference at The
Hague. They did so meet, through fitting rep
resentatives. There were twenty-six powers
in the congress. Russia as was fitting, was
foremost among them. Japan was there, also,
and China. After long deberation the con-
gress adopted q convention, which was signed
by the powers a solemn treaty among them.
That convention provided for mediation and
arbitration rs substitutes for war in the settle
ment of international disputes. It also pro
yided for the establishment at The Hague Of
a permanent tribunal Of arbitra ton, to which
disputes should be referred and it formulated
the principles and rules which should govern
such action. That convention was accepted and
signed by Russia and the other powers, and
the Sgnatortes thus pledged themselves 10 seek
the peaceful settlement of differences through
the means thus provided. When these things
were done the world saw them and pronounced
them all very good; and credit, unstinted and
in the highest degree, was given TO the Russian
Emperor for having taken the initiative in so
great and good a work.
That same Russian Emperor Nicholas H.
10 still on the throne. The same minister
through whom the rescript was issued and the
whole work done, Count MurayieR. is
still member OF the imperial ministry The
tribunal of The Hague is in existence and ready
10 perform its functions. The most urgent need
OF appeal to that tribunal and to the principles
OF the rescript Of August, 1885, presses upon
the world-tke most urgent need that the world
has known since that tribunal was formed
and need as urgent as the world is likely in
our time TO know Yet not one word in all the
Babel-clamor of rumors OF wars, is heard for
reference of the dispute to arbitration at The
Hague. The very power that sounded that stir
ring call for peace, that took the lead III max
ing that call effective and In securing the "cor-
porate conservation" Of the principles Of right
above those Of force and that should now be
the foremost 10 make appeal to the tribunal of
its own deyisng-that power to-day is making
steadily for war. as though Nicholas had never
conceived and 9Iuravieff never issued that noble
rescript and as though the peace congress at
The Hague had never been held. Why is the
world confronted with this amazing anomaly?
Why is this dispute which imperils the peace of
the whole world not submitted to arbitration?
Why, above all, does not the Russian govern
ment, the Russian Emperor himself propose
that it shall be thus submitted? Is peace not
still "the ideal toward which the endeayors Of
all governments should be drected"-of tho
Russian government well as of all others?
Does the imperial government no longer think
1.-THE present moment would be very favorable
to seeking the means? Is not Russia still "sin
''cerely seeking to make the great convention
'of universal peace triumph over the elements
"of trouble and discord"7 Then why not send