New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-05

Until the first shot is fred there is stil hope
that peace viii be maintained; and as yet that
shot does not appear 10 have been fired In the
Far East But occurreBccS-and non-occur-
rences-of the last few days have worn tnat
hope 10 the texture OF the shadow OF a shade
and to-day the world stands face 70 face win
war. We may still hope the catastrophe VIII
be averted. but II viii be hoping against anuci-
patton.
Who 4, 70 Be held respcnsiele1 There win be
little hesitation In answering that question
Russia has been the aggressor from the oesln-
ming and while for weeks past she has been
protesting sentiments OF peace che has oeen
doing acts that have LED straight toward war
We have spoken OF uon-occurrenees Ihere
"a "a doubt that Russis's inexplicsb bic delay In
answering Japan has made strongly for wsr. II
nas given japan the idea. true or false. bat ST
snv rate natural that Russia has been seeking
DELAY for the sake OF increasing her own
generations for the war which she regards as
inevitable II IS said too. that Russia has been
shrewdly trying 10 throw upon Japan the onus
OF actually declaring or beginning war. That
onus NAV be lightly borne. II is not question
Of who makes the formal declaration. or of who
ares the nrst shot but Of who forces the powers
into 8 situation from which escape can be bad
only across battlefield. The general judgment
OF the world VIII bs that II Is Russia that has
Gone 20 in this case She has forced upon
Japan the alternative OF 6gntng or OF sacTitc-
ing her rights. her welfare and her security.
From such a situation Russia might have re-
ceded-she might even now recede-withOut loss
Of honor or menace 10 her security. II she does
not thus rccede. but forces the choice upon
Japnn. and japan elects TO nght, II may he that
japan vii begin the shooting. but upon Russia
will rest the responsibility.
What viii be the result7 No man can tell.
The two may heht il out between them or half
the world may be dragged into the conflict SO
far as Russia Gn1 Japan themselves are con-
cerned- they are unknown quantities In war.
Japan has never yet fought a civilized power.
Russia has done SO. but not to her credit She
overcame the Swedes through treachery. She
beat the Turks with English ala. She was
beaten again and again By Bonaparte until
General January" came 10 her aid She was
beaten by the British and French IN the Crimea-
In the war Of 1877 the honors remained With
the vanquished Turks. and the Russian army
would have been annihilated had not the Ru-
manians come to its rescue. Over Circassians
and Persians and TurcOmsns Russia has tri-
urnphed though not always with ease. What
she can DO against the superior civilization 81
Japan Is q question which only the progress OF
the campaign can answer. But this at least
know-that IN the march 70 Picking when
JRpanes and Russian troops and the troops OF
several other nations were marching and fight
ing side by side. the honors % the campaign
were easily taken 10y the japanese
As for American She has stood sloof from
The causes 81 the war. and she will be neutral
IN good faith IN the war. n the war Gomez. In-
dividusl and popular sympathies may he strong
and may rot be concealed II IS inevits bic that
n nation shall give good wishes to Z friend that
Is CALAMITY lighting for the end II does Itself
desire. Even so. Il should not he Impossible 70
avoid offence 70 the other beilige-ent. especially
II that one has also been q friend. As for the
official attitude. It goes without saying that 1t
viii remain one OF sincere neutrality and Of
smity toward both sides.