Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1904-11-03
RUSsEA7S. OPPORTUNITY.

Great Britain aud Russia will not
go to war, and really there was no
Isl whS they should. The as
sault by the Baltic fleet upon the
helpless ami hapless fishermen off
Hull was irritating in the extreme,
but prompt disavoWal ofRussia with
promise of ~reparation, relieved the
situation of considerable tension.
The reference to the International
Court at The Hague of whatever diff
ference the diplomats were unable to
compromise absolutely insures a
peaceful settlement. How much
better this elimination than an ap-
peal to arms, and how criminal it
would have been to follow the kill
ing OF the unfortunate fishermen Of
Hull with the slaughter of innocent
men.
Great Britain has acted most be-
comingly in a trying situation and
with the exception of the outbreak
against the Russian minister, a most
human exhibition, by the way, the
people of Great Britain have shown
admirable self-control. The Russian
government, it must likewise be
said to its credit, acted in the best
spirit possible and displayed a COM
mendable desire to do the right
thing.
How different, though, was Rus
attitude towards England from
that she assumed some time ago to-
wards Japan? If Russia had shown
IN the a~nte-belIum negotiations with
her Oriental antagonist the same
spirit OF Cancellation and the same
desire to be just, the terrible war in
the East would have been averted.
Even now if Russia were to suggest
to Japan the submission Of their diff
ferences 10 a court of arbitration it is
likely that the proposition would be
accepted. Japan W. in the dis
tracing thrills of victory has showni
a pleasing magnautHity and an
earnest desire for an honorable con-
clusion OF the conflict. |
If Russia were to propose arbitra-
ton a glory would be hers that she
cannot win by arms even if she
should exterminate the Japanese
nation. It would be a triumph of
civilization. It would remove the
stain that has attached to her repu-
tation by reason of her broken pledge
to get out of Manchuria. It would
presage a new era for a country rich
in potentialities, but which needs
the quickening spirit Of humanity to
attain its destiny. It would rein
state her as one of the great world
powers and rehabilitate her in the
respect of mankind. Russia has
slnned g~rievously against China.
Japan, Finland, Poland and civiliza-
ton, but most she has sinned against
her w people. Her sodden peas
antry, a class embracing 80 per cent.
her population, cannot be uplifted
victorious legions. Her brutal
caunot be softened by war.
governmental rottenness cannot
be purified by militarism. But Rus
STA has another and a better lesson
to learn. She must open her eyes to
the value of the man. She must re-
spect the rights of the Individual.
She must realize that to be great is
not to have an ~aristocracy intelli-
gent, rich and limited in numbers.
but to have q people educated, pa
prosperous and happy. ALL
of these things must be of slow con-
and can be attained only
by a revolution of ideas by the gov
class, but a revolution ofideasl
is TO be preferred to a revolution of
blood which is inevitable if the yoke!:
tyrrany and oppression and thei
heel of militarism are not
removed from the necks of the Rus
sian peasantry.
Russia's hope is in reformation.
She must practically begin over
again as a nation. She must start at ]
bottom and work up, and as the
masses are elevated and educated so .
will the empire grow in greatness s
md wax in strength. Russia's's