The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-03-31
OF PEACE, AS OF WAR

The inherent incapacity of Russia is
for a peace as it has been in conduct
ing war. The despotic system, long
protracted, has wrought its natural re-
suit in paralysis of the ruling power.
AS good soldiers as there are in the
world are slaughtered because weak
ness and wickedness and iron selfish
ness are at the head of affairs. The
best generals are powerless because
their hands are tied by the machina-
lions of favorites at court. It has been
clearly demonstrated that Russia's ut
ter humiliation before Japan is due to
incapacity at the central seat Of power.
The same quality appears now that
peace has become desirable. There can
be no question that Russia desires to
put an end to this war. The rumors
that have been circulating diligently for
two weeks past have some substantial
basis of fact. The war party In Russia
represents a desperate faction which
knows that it must yield. The whole
people Of the empire want peace. The
car himself wants peace. All his ad-
visers know that peace only can en-
able order to be brought out Of chaos,
and that without it disaster must con-
tinue. But they are as unable to ap-
proach these negotiations as they are
to plan winning campaign.
1t is most desirable from every point
of view that a peace arrangement
should be concluded directly between
Russia and Japan. The mediation of
any other party would not modify
terms, and would really involve Russia
in a greater humiliation. 1t would also
be rejected by Japan unless it gave her
rather better terms than she would
claim for herself. Japan had one taste
after her war with China of peace con-
ditions prescribed by jealous and rapa-
cious powers. She is not going to get
caught in that trap again Everything
calls for peace programme arranged
between Tokyo and st. Petersburg.
Here, however, we see the same insane
pride, the same imbecile estimate of ia
pan as a weak power to be snubbed and
dictated to, the same inability to realize
facts that hurried Russia into this war.
building barriers between her and the
desired peace.
Russia hates to speak the first word.
When she throws out a hint of peace it
is apt to be in the form of an intima-
ton that Japan must not ask thus and
SO, and that Russia will never consent
to it. Again and-again she has made it
understood that she will neither cede
territory nor pay an indemnity. Now
this is folly. Possibly Japan, who has
always been generous, might even go
so far as to propose those conditions
on her own motion; but. standing vic
tor as she does. she is not going to ac-
cept them at anybody's dictation. If
Russia were wise she would rather cir
culate modest statement of what she
would be willing to do. leaving room
for further concessions If necessary,
and see how that would be received.
We are familiar with the story of the
man who had a bear by the tail and
was afraid to hold on or to let go. In
this case it is the bear that made the
attack and is equally unable to con-
tinue or to end it. A government of
reason and efficiency at st. Petersburg
would make terms with Japan within
fortnight. Russia is laundering
around it just as her patched UP ships
float aimlessly around the ocean hop
ing that the enemy will show UP some
where and allow his vessels to be sunk.
The operations in the field give no
clearer index Of Russia's pitiable inter-
nal condition than her hopelessness in
the face of peace negotiations; upon
which she must enter sooner or later,