Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-01-14
Rsssfa Could Select France as Her
Second and Japan the United
States, He Says; Then All DfEer-
ences Could BE satisfactorily Ad-
shed Averted.

II pan and Russia 1 DelRye that this Is
4 a good time for an effort to secure
4 peace. Japan is in a position to show
4 moderation and fairness. 1t is i'm
\ probable that Russia will see another
moment in this war in which she can
SO well afford 10 accept overturcs for u
| termination OF the struggle in the
| field. The heroic defense OF Port Ar
thur by the Russians and the great
victory OF the japanese ought TO sat
isfy the military pride Of both nations.
Il believe that the principle OF sec
ouding nations can be used with great
advantage in an effort to end the war
| Just now. 1t Is u principle contained in
| the articles adopted by The Hague
conference. II was suggested original
" from the American side OF the con-
| ference Mr. Hollis Of the American
delegation 10 The Hague had read
somewhere I'm an old magazine a theo-
~ that nations at war might with ad
| vantage use other nations to second
them. Just as the principals in duel
employ seconds.
Russia could choose France as her
second, and Japan could choose the
United States as her second. II seems
TO me that these two nations are well
suited TO the purpose. France and the
United States. after consulting with
their principals-and the relationship
would necessarily be very frank and
intimate-could then approach each
other and soberly attempt to discover
grounds for peace. / am satisfied that
II this method IL pursued the differ
ences between Japan and Russia can
be satisfactorily adjusted and further
bloodshed averted.
"In NY opinion terms of peace could
be arranged without sacrificing Rus
sia's legitimate ambition to have an
ice free port in Asia as an outlet for
her commerce. Her great railway sys-
TEN and all the rights necessary TO IL
could also be safeguardcd. / have 10
doubt that Japan would agree TO this.
las for the contention that II Russia
makes peace now she Will lose prestige
among Asiatics, il Is better to lose
prestige for awhile than to go on with
war which means inevitable bank
ruptcy. I do not believe II possible for
Russia TO maintain herself I'm this
struggle for three or four years. Aft
er what has just occurred the financial
world will look very coldly on pro
posals for fresh Russian loans. do
not undere~ innate the great resources
Of Russia. but of what use are re
sources If they are still in the belly of
the earth?
The suggestion that there is likely
20 Ice a revolution I'm Russia seems TO
me To be absurd. There is no middle
class there TO rise against misrule.
nothing but the peasants on the one
side and the army on the other. Rus
sin has stripped her peasants TO the
bone They are helpless and inert.
lit will be a bitter pill for Russia TO
retire from Manchuria. but better that
than further disaster and national
bankruptcy. Talk about the yellow
peril We might more profitably dis
cusS the Russian peril That has been
the shadow in Asia. 1 do not believe
that the presence of Japan on the Ash
attic mainland will be n menace to
peace. on the contrary. believe that
81 viii strengthen the prospect OF
peace.
After this war II will be long time
before any nation will venture To en-
croach In Asia. Nor will any nation
ll~h II fAdllti WIN japan all
that will make for peace. Even the
United States will he little more po-
lite to the Japanese in the Philippines
and Hawaii That. too, will make for
peace.
Il cannot see that Russia Is in a less
favorable position for accepting peace
ovcrtures after the fall Of Port Arthur
than she was after the fail Of Sevasto-
pol. and IL il certain that Japan in this |
hour OF victory can afford TO be mod |
crate I'm her terms y continuation of |
the war would he madness when the |
means for peace are plainly in sight. |
I have no doubt that France and the |
United States would gladly serve as |
fnediatory Seconds for Russia and ia |
pan.
1T will be fortunate for Russia il il /
IS true that the car has really called |
DE witte back to power He is a
strong and sane minister. but the Rus
sian system is so slipshod and so full /
OF Jealous conspiracies. not to say any |
thing about corruption, that the palace |
clique in St Petersburg Is likely TO get
rid OF him at any moment Poor DE |
White, After Strengthening out the
finances Of the empire and accumulat-
ing such a surplus that he had a right
20 expect that the golden days were
coming to his country he had TO stand l
aside and see the results Of his work
swept away by the tncompetents who
succeeded TO power. have great faith
In De witte. and IL the car has really
called him to his side II IL q hopeful
signr"