New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-31
LET Us HAVE PEACE"


The historic phrase which was repeated ten
thousand times in the memorial observances Of
Yesterday had a direct significance of appuca
ton such as it had not known for years. Our
soldiers and sailors. active and veteran, met
and marched in an air not only tremulous with
fading echoes Of forty years ago, but also VI
brant with the clash and crash of forty hours
ago Recollections of Malvern Hill and Mobile
Bay were crowded and jostled by the news of
Corea Strait. True, the present war is not our
war in an immediate and narrow sense But in
the broader and truer sense this nation must
adapt the words of Terrence, and hold that what
ever concerns mankind concerns it. We have no
title to interfere with diplomatic remonstrance
or with military force, but we have no right
to withhold neghborIy sympathy and earnest
desire that the great tragedy of this week may
prove the closing scene Of the Sanguinary drama
of the last fifteen months. Americans will
not be officious intrusive, not even in ex-
preston Of opinion, but whether the fact was
publicly proclaimed or not, the world would
know that, through the sheer necessity OF
human feeling, all thoughtful Americans
alike those who regard Russia as our tradi-
tional friend and those who look upon Japan
as a sort Of foster child Of our civilization
involuntariy but fervently exclaimed upon the
news of Togo's tremendous victory, Now let US
have peace!"
Why not? We have been told that considera-
tons Of national honor would not permit Rus
sa TO negotiate for peace until some more de-
csive action had taken place. If Liao-Yang
and Moukden and Port Arthur were not suf-
ficient surely nothing more decisive than this
battle of Corea Strait could be awaited or con-
ceived There have now been, besides various
lesser ones two titanic battles on land and two
at sea, every one of the four worthy to rank
fha world SrroiV,
no more can be needed for the satisfaction of
honor. Some have said, toO that honor would
not permit Russia in any event to sue for peace
| from such adversary as Japan. That objec-
| ton cannot be reckoned worthy to stand in the
! way of peace. Doubtless 1t is unpleasant and
hard for a proud nation to yield to any ad-
versary. But when that dread necessity comes,
as it must come to party in every war, it
seems inconceivable that any people should
wish an adversary to which they could yield
| with less humiliation and with less hurt to
! their honor than to Japan. That island empire
has shown herself q foeman worthy Of any
| powers steel In prowess on land in prowess
! at sea, in attack in defence in shrewd STRAIT
| egg, in desperate valor in generosity to the
vanquished, in tenderness to the wounded, In
! the scientific application Of the highest re-
sources Of civilization to the art of war. in
every element and detail, Japan has shown her
]
! blush to own as conQuerOr
1t is for Russia, however, herself to move for
! peace. Japan might we'll refrain from even the
slightest overtures, lest such action by her
should be regarded as offensive exultaton over
a vanquished foe. She has long made it plain
that she is ready at any time to consider terms
of peace whenever Russia asks for them, and
she might well maintain that attitude Of readi-
ness and reserve. The relationship Of other
powers is delicate. Their desire for peace Is
obvious, but So too, is their reluctance even to
seem oftcious to do anything which might
powers, any one Of which might appropriately
be appealed TO by Russia as a mediator, if such
q course seemed to her preferable to direct ne
gotiations with Japan. France is Russa's nom
inal ally and next friend" Great Britain is
Japans ally, and is on particularly friendly
terms with Russias ally, France The United
States is impartially friendly to both bellig-
| erents, and is entirely divorced from all Euro
pean rivalries and intrigues. Certainly It would
seem that Russia might, without impairment Of
honor and TO her own very great domestic ben
eft, seek the good Offices Of one Of these powers
for an ending of a which thus far has
meant to her nothing but loss and disaster and
which gives promise Of nothing else in the
measurable future. Such good Offices would
doubtless be unhesltatingly and gladly given
! if asked but they are not likely to be offered
| unasked.