The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-06-02
LET US HAVE PEACE.


In discussing he Japanese victor,
the Tacoma Ledger voices the opinion
OF the large majority OF the people OF
his world when 1t says, the annlhia.
tion or capture OF the entire Russian
fleet under the commond of Rear All.
miral Rojestvensky is now practically
certain. Rear Admiral Nebogatofr and
5000 Russians are prisoners. Thir-
teen warships have been known to
have been sunk, six more have been
captured by the Japanese and the re-
naming vessels Of the fleet, including
Rojestvensky's flagship. are seeking a
refuge, some of them, no doubt, In a
crippled condition. There is but one
harbor in The orient in which they can
take refuge without being required to
leave within "a hours or be dismantled
and put out of commission. That is
IVlaiivostok, but it is doubtful II the
remnant of the magnificent fleet can
escape to that port. Tidings will be
received from time to time of the fate
Of the other vessels, and victorious
Japanese will undoubtedly press their
advantage to the bitter end. This is
Japan's opportunity to force Russia
TO use for peace. The entire civilized
world, barring a small element OF ir-
reconcilables in Russia, must recog-
nize now that the Russian cause Ia
absolutely hopeless and there is no
justification for a continuance Of the
struggle.
Russia has been overwhelmingly de-
feated on land and sea. Two fleets
have been sacrificed. Port Arthur has
been lost and an army of half a mil
lion men has been driven far into the
interior Of Harbin. Vladivostok Is
the only port in the orient under Rus
sian control and the Japanese have be
gun the exe cution Of a campaign which
will result. IL continued, in the loss
OF that base The japanese will cut
Vladivostok OFF from communication
with Harbin and invest 1t by land.
They will blockade 1t by sea as they
did Port Arthur. 1t might hold out
for month as did Port Arthur but
its final occupation by tn. japanese
would be as certain as the fact that
Port Arthur surrendered nearly six
months ago. II the czar is sane, he
will save Vladivos ok by the only
method now possible, which is to make
peace with Japan and satisfy the VIC
tors demands in such a way as 10 re-
tain Vladivostok as the terminal and
Pacific port Of the Trans- Siberian
railway.
The czar would be advised by every
friendly power in the world, whose
opinion might be asked for to make |
peace. The war should stop in the !
Interest of commerce and civilization.
II the advice Of outsiders be neither
asked or needed, the czar will find that |
sentiment in his own country is so
strongly In favor Of settlement that
ne can resis. only at the peril Of his |
dynasty. Indeed II will be surprising
II the humiliation and Overwhelming
defeat Of ROjestvensky do not revive
the revolution in Russia and precipi-
tate new internal crisis, graver than
any that has previously arisen. 1t
may be incumbent upon the czar not
only to admit defeat and seek peace
with Japan at the sacrifice Of his in
terests in Manchuria and upon the
payment of a large war ind mnity, but
also to yield to the demand for a con-
stitutional government in Russia as
he price OF continuing the Romanof
lynasty In power.