New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-24
JApAyS DTsTRUST or RUSSIA.


The most dIsquieting and unpleasant feature
-. .i+,o+ion in the Far East just now is
Jonan's unconcealed distrust of Russia sue 10
aDnarentIv not willing to accept Russia mere
,-ord in settlement of the pending controversies
1n+ wants the stipulations and agreements Pu'
into g,Iocz and white in a formal treaty
,bo+ Russia is inclined to demur on Val
grounds while Japan is So nsistehl uPon
as to rive the impression that she VIII nsn'
rather than relinquish the point
That Is depIorable. and ominous- fNlueui''
the first requisite of peaceful negotiations oe
+u-een nations is mutual confidence IL oie
nation cannot believe another nor accept us
word and promises, it is difficult to see 10"
e. 90, come 70 any amicabe agreement
A formal treaty would not greatly help matters
oi+bor for = nation that would break its prom
isa would not scrupulouSy regard It's ue"'9'
In sucb case there would seem 10 ne no IL
course save that of arms The question 10 "e
asked Is. of course, whether such dlslruSt ~
unsuitable. Upon that point opinions VIII
probably differ.
The Japanese point to what they regard as
the broken promises of Russia lHeie' Io
oxomnIe is Russfas repeated failure to fulfil
ber promises to evacuate Manchuria. There IS
no doubt that she has failed TO fulfil them, ana
~
for such failure. Russia's pretence IS that
Manchuria is not yet sufficiently pacihed' nut
tho Jananese. and indeed some others. declare
that II is as peaceful and orderly as any prov
ince in the heart of European Russia lhey
say that Russia is simply repudlat1ng her
pledges I'm a way that indicates she never
was sincere in making them-a most unpieas-
ant accusation TO lay against nation
History contains many examples of natonal
faith and lack Of faith in such matters. Russia
certainly kept faith in the case of kuldja re-
storing that territory to China according to
her pro1nise On the other hand, she certainly
seemed to violate her promise concerning
Merv Great Britain kept faith in the lonian
Islands giving them 10 Greece after she had
practically possessed them for many years
But again there are those who think British
promises concerning Egypt have not been full
filed The United States may justly claim 10
have set notable example Of good faith in its
dealings with Cuba. gratuitously denying itself
its natural rights in that island and fulfilling
to the letter the pledge it gave, to its own
hurt.
1t would be ungraciOus and invidious TO at
tempt to Judge between Japan and Russia as
TO whether the former has sufficient ground
for her distrust of the latter. It would also
be deplOrable TO have them 90 to over
such a point. But it is difficult to see any
good reason why Russia should not give such
formal guarantees nations are accustomed
to give in the settlement Of grave disputes.
II, for any reason, though none can be per
ceived. she cannot we'll make a treaty directly
with Japan. surely she can accept the sugges-
ton Of a reference to The Hague Since that
suggestion was first made in The Tribune, a
fortnight ago, it has been widely taken up in
Europe, and has been urged upon Russia by
her best friends. It is TO be assumed that
Russia could trust the tribunal Of her own
creation. and that Japan would accept az sat
isfactory n decree Of that court. In such way,
it would seem. the difficulty Of dlstrust might
best be overcome.