The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-21
RUSSIAN CRISIS.


RUSSIAN CRISIS.
There seems to be q difference OF
opinion as to whose Is the next move
upon the chessboard OF war and peace,
from Russian inspiration, that Russia
The statement is made apparently
would welcome peace, but will not ask
for 1t, expecting Japan to offer 1t on
moderate terms. 1t is easy enough to
understand that Russia is reluctant to
cry Enough" in war which she so
iauntily and confidently provoked and
to sue for peace from a power which
she affected so much to despise. The
logic of the case would seem, however,
to place that onus upon her. 1t is fo-tne
beaten party TO ask for peace. That Is
teh rule in war The victor has no need
to seek an armistice or TO ask for
terms. OF course If Russia does not
consider herself beaten, or sufficiently
beaten to need respite from the strife
there is no reason for her ever welcom-
ing peace If Japan should offer it. We
observe that some Of her diplomats are
still talking brayely, as Is becoming
to them. But when they say that the
sequel to Mukden viii be like the Sc
Quel to Lao Yang, not peace negotia-
tons, but reinforcements, they should
remember that despite these rein
forcements, Moukden itself is the real
sequel to Liao-Yang. Kai-Ping and
Hai-Cheng were not avenged, but were
repeated in increased severity at Lao
Yang, and Liao-Yang has not been
avenged, but has been repeated in still
worse form at Moukden. Is the series
TO be continued at Tie Ling? Or at
Kirin? Or at Harbin?
1t is not difficult to appreciate Rus
sia's feelings in the matter. 1t is
CALLING to be beaten and to acknowl-
edge defeat. We can understand the
demand that, in whatever terms Of
peace are made, ''Russia's position in
the far east must be recognized" We
sincerely hope she will be dealt with
generously. Nevertheless, ii might be
asked whether Russia and her allies
recognized Japan's position in the
far east ten years ago. Japan GER
tainly seemed to have logically and
morally a stronger position there than
than Russia has now.Yet she was COM
PEELED to sacrifice and to abandon It.
If then the victor was not permitted To
retain the legitimate fruits Of victory,
it might be asked upon what ground
teh vanquished should now be permit
ted to retain the position she had be-
fore the war. 1t is to be assumed, how
ever, that Japan will show in the
terms Of peace which she may dictate
the reasonableness, the courtesy and
the generosity which have marked her
conduct from the beginning Of this
tragic controversy. She will hereafter
herself be the dominant power in East
ern Asia. But she realizes that there
are other powers seated there. Russia
among them and that it is to her in.
terest to be on good terms with them.
She does not mean to deprive Russia
OF Siberia, and she knows that for the
sake Of her own commerce and indus
tries she ought to be friendly with the
sovereign Of Siberia. We look, there
fore, for a modus vivendi In the terms
of peace that will put the present bel
ligerents upon a neighborly footing
and not keep them glaring at each 9th.
er over double shotted guns.
The historic fact of record must be
remembered, too, that in the negotia-
tons before the war, when Japan was
so earnestly and so patiently endeav-
oring to effect an amicable and equita-
bic settlement of all disputed points
with Russia, it was Japan that took
the lesd. 1t was japan that pressed
for settlement. 1t was Japan that pro-
posed the terms. It was Japan that
sent the letters witd Russia, with
what seemed like arrogant scorn, de-
layed to answer. 1t was Japan's move
then, and she made it. Now japan
might we'll insist 1t is Russia's move.
II is for Russia now to send messages
and to ask for terms. We do not know
that Japan. viii insist upon 1t. She
may generously offer the armistice
which her beaten foe is too proud to