Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-17
Russia's Charge Against China.

The more closely 1t is studied the more
impudent does Russia's recent circular re-
lating to China's alleged violations of neu-
trality in the present war appear. 1t is
thoroughly characteristic Russian perform
ance. Itself a fragrant violator of neutral
territory, a repeated offender on China S
very soil, at Chefoo of the plain require
ments binding a belligerent to the area or
hostilities, Russia now complains that
China has not stood neutral in all respects
and threatens that country with reprisdls.
1t is a rule of equity that every COM
plainant must come into court with clean
hands. In this particular case those OF
Russia are unusually sofled. Take as
starter the whole controversy out OF which
the war with Japan has grown. 1t was
based upon Russia's theft-plain language
best suits the situation-of the Lao Tung
peninsula, one of the grossest breaches OF
neutrality ever perpetrated. Though cloaked
by a so-called treaty it was plainly under
stood to have been the result Of a DELHI
crate hold-up by Russia. Then, having en-
sconced itself on the peninsula, the Russian
bear refused to move, even when the othef
powers, headed by the United States, Sc
cured promises to restore the territory to
China. Those pledges We're repeatedly
broken. There was never the slightest IN
tention to keep them. The whole program
was tainted with treachery, double-deaiing
and evasion. When the war broke Japan
undertook to drive Russia from this penin-
sula and from all Manchuria. over which
it had spread itself with the assurance OF
an owner in fee. The little nation has we'll
nigh succeeded in accomplishing this result
and the sympathies of virtually the whole
- fnrsj IFS anna II
able achievement.
Since the outbreak of hostilities Russia
course at Chefoo has been especially Of
fensive to Japan and to the best sense OF
the neutral powers. Taking advantage Of
China's inability to protest Russia has
maintained at that point a signal station
and a harbor of refuge for fugitives from
Port Arthur. Japan's action in taking the
Russian torpedo boat destroyer Ryshitelnl
out of Chefoo harbor was universally con-
doned in view of the repeated offenses of
Russia at that port.
China is the pawn in this game. so far
as its fate If Russia wins Is concerned. If
Japan is whipped the great empire will i'm
mediately become prey to the encroach-
ments of not only the car, but certain of
his allies Partition, to some extent, is
well-nigh inevitable unless the other pow
ers intervene to prevent To threaten
China now, therefore, with punishment for
it's alleged breaches of neutrality is merely
to admonish it of what it may expect when
if that ever occurs-Russia is in posi-
ton to administer punishment.
The whole move is a characteristic Rus
STA effort to draw the powers into the quar-
rel, TO enlist the open aid of France and
Germany. 1t will rebound no credit or
advantage to Russia, for there can be no
stroke of intervention by the powers which
would not be in direct contravention of their
avowed purpose TO preserve China from
partition, if possible. Russia is in no po-
sition now to enforce its demands or make
good its complaints. And, Furthermore, it
is seriously to be questioned whether Rus
STA has any case whatever in the premises.
The first impulse of every intelligent OBJ
server is to assume that the ST. Peters
burg government is deliberately manufac-
turing a situation. by recourse to its ira
ditionaI methods, in order to gain some
possible advantage at the time of its great
need If the powers keep level head it
will fail.