New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-06-15
HOPES AND FEARS ABOUT PEACE.


Divergent views are taken of the peace negota-
tons Some persons highly optimistic, think
ing it is 'al over except the shouting Some
are so peSsimistic as to look for total FAILURE OF
the work. Both these extremes are probably III
error There WILL as we have hitherto SAID, De
DELAYS and doubts These are inevitable. But
they need not prevent final and reasonably
prompt success. The most regrettable feature
of the situation doubtless is the disposition man
ifested popularity if not officially, on one SIDE
to question the good faith of the other. Car
red to its fullest extent. that might prove fatal
to the negotiations. But it is within the power
of the party whose good faith is doubted to
dispeI the doubts and to vindicate its faith at
any time and If that needs TO be done, we must
expect it will be done.
It should be done the more promptly and I'M
grudgingly for the reason that, in the estlma-
tion of even some Russian statesmen OF hlgh
rank the conduct of the Russian government III
Nsnchuria has given the japanese a pretext. If
not adequate cause. for suspicion. without re
bearsinc the whole story, it will be recalled
that Russia made repeated and positive prom
ises 70 eyacuate Manchuria, but did not fulfil
them Now 1t may be that she had just ana
sufficient cause for failing to fulfil them IL So
il is to be regretted that she was not apie 10
make it convincingly known to the world.
Japan and large part of the rest of the world
have never vet been able to perceive such
cause but have reluctantly concluded that he
Russian promises practically repudlateu
simply because Russia found it profitable 10 re-
nudiate them and thought she could do so with
impunity That idea, repeat may do Russia
GROSS Injustice The unpleasant fact is that 1t
has been and is widely held and needs TO be DIS
PEELED.
On the other hand. there seems TO be much
req son in Russias reputed warnings that she
does not engage herself In advance 10 col
cIude peace" No and the President did not
ask her TO do So nor has Japan ground for ex-
pecting her to do so. What the President sus-
gested was that Russia and Japan should get
together again, IN direct negotiations, ana see
If they could not make peace That is what the
two governments have agreed TO do. and we
have no doubt they will do it. Whether when
they have "got together" they will succeed IN
making peace is another question We have
faith to believe however that it also will De an
swered In the affirmative, for reasons which we
have already mentioned
The first need at present seems TO be an agree
ment as to the place of meeting of the plempo-
tentiaries More and more the chief European
capitals seem unacceptable. 1t might De tnat
The Hague would be acceptable to BOTH and II
would have some desirable qualifications as the
Mace of meeting. Japan is understood, now
aver to desire place not so remote from her
and not involving the expenditure of so much
time in reaching it 1t might be suggested that
the United States is about equidistant from the
two disputants and II Its capital has not he
hest dog day weather in the world this country
has many other places which are ideal summer
resorts Much nearer still to Japan, and on neu-
trail ground under our flag, is Manila Nearest
os all is Manchuria which the President is said
to have suggested and which has some obvious
advantages But If we rule out few places
obviously subject to partisan influences, there
are so many unexceptionable places left for
meeting that 1t will be strange indeed If salts
factory choice is not soon made. When that is
done there will be occasion for the demonstra-
ton of the good faith Of both parties and for
progress toward the final terms of peace