New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-28
RUSSIAN SUSCEPTIBTLIFIES.


It is greatly to be regretted, and by no means
exclusively or even chiefly for this country, that
the American attitude toward the bellgerents
in the Far East should be so much misunder
stood or mlsrepresented in Russia. We have
occasionally referred 10 what seems to be a sort
Of anti-American propaganda in Russia, led
notably BY the "Novoe Vremya" That it is In
tended as an actual propaganda we should be
sorry 10 believe; but that it looks like one Is IN
questionable. II has been manifested on many
occasions during the last few years. 1t was
observed when the United States acting on the
sound policy OF equal treatment for all nations,
imposed upon Russian bounty aided sugar
duty similar 10 that which it put upon such
sugar from other lands. 1t was noticed when
American sympathy was expressed with perse-
cuted Jews and with oppressed Finlanders. II
appeared again whenever this country moved
or spoke for the fulflment OF treaties and
pledges in China. 1t has been literally ram
pant during the present war over dozen diff
ferent matters, not one of which gave any valid
ground for it. We have already mentioned the
extravagant declarations that this country had
inveiCled Japan into the war to serve its own
sordid ends. and we thought such aspersions
were the worst that would be or could be made
But IL they are not 10 be surpassed in fantastic
baselessness, they are, it seems, TO be matched,
and the matching Of them is TO be continued
and repeated indefinitely.
Thus a clamor has been raised against this
country because Of the action. or non-action. OF
the American gunboat vicksburg at Chemulpo
Russians complain that it did not Join the other
neutral vessels IN protesting against the Japan
csc attack upon the Russian ships. and that IT
did not Join them in rescuing and caring for the
crews Of the Russian ships when they were
defeated by the japanese. Now, the fact that
the other ships did or did not do thus and so Is
no reason at all why the American ship should
have done the same for II is a well established
principle that America joins no concert Of the
powers" but acts upon her own judgment and
responsibility. The sole question Is whether the
Vicksburg should have protested against the
japanese action. We cannot imagine why she
should have done so. The Russians appear 10
have begun the fight by firing FIRST upon the
japanese. Certainly our ship could not In those
circumstances protest against a return OF the
fire by the japanese II would seem 10 have
been a breach Of neutrality for It thus 10 inter
vene IN a quarrel 20 which the United States
was not a party. Surely. our Russian friends
cannot complain because the United States main
tains a strictly neutral attitude. As for the
other charge that our ship did not succor and
give asylum 70 TIE huSslan refugees, IL may be
said that II is no part OF a neutrars duty to give
asylum 10 save bellgerents from being capt
ured by the foe. A neutral may have the privl-
iege OF doing so In certain circumstances. but It
Is absurd 10 say that Il is breach Of neutrality
for IL 10 refrain from doing so. As 10 the ques-
ton OF humanity. Il is on record. we believe
that the American ship was the first Of all 20
send or 20 offer medical and other humane ala
20 the Russians. There certainly seems 20 be
no ground for the imputation that the vicks-
burg acted otherwise than in an impartial and
humane manner.
Another outcry is raised by some Russians
over the announcement that a connection NAV
4 be made between the American Pacific cable