The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1907-06-29
America Vice Russia.

While the double Russian action,
that OF announcing itself no longer
among the parliamentary nations,
Russia has abandoned its position
at The Hague. The nations assem-
bled can no longer justify themselves
in their regard for Russia. 1t will
be one of the ironies of history that
Russia should have called the world
together for the purposes of peace.
But it will be one of the mistakes q.
history If the nations assembled TINS
second time at The Hague permit
Russia to dominate the convention,
either in spirlL or in act Russia has
deliberately abandoned her position,
her right to influence. She has even
scoffed at the purpose she has an
nounced.
1t is now left for that nation which
first advised the reassembling OF the
nations at The Hague, but w1thdre"
that suggestion on the advice that
Russia would repeat her suggestion
lit will now be in order for Amerl-
ca to lead that conference as she
has led the world for the eight years
that have INTERVIEWED. We do not like
to make the eagle scream over much
THE American habit of assuming that
america, the United States, is the
only nation in the world, and pos
sessed of all the good qualities in
superlative measure, is distaste!u!
to us. We have much to learn as a
nation, as a people. But also we have
much to do for the nations. And
our opportunity, our duty is right
here ahead of us, and as plain as
the handwriting on the wall. The
United States did not practice its
long century of isolation for nothing
LIT has not come forth into the world
at this critical time for nothing. We
won the respect, even the fear, OF the
world. We have Vol the respect of
the world during these nine years
since we entered the international
arena. We should be able to compel
the fear of the world in both peace
and war. And a wholesome fear in
peace is as salutary as in war.
The great peace of the period,
that of Portsmouth, is to our credit.
A second peace, as significant in
what it prevented as the other was
I'm what it concluded the peace of
the Algeciras, would not have been
possible, mol shaped toward such a
final end, without the cooperation Of
1.-The American delegates. This was a
purely European question. Yet the
limited States held the balance. And
lit can and must hold that balance at
THE Hague. 1t is really a fearsome
burden that is there placed upon
us. Plainly Russia would see the
convention futile, its discussions abb
ortive, its conclusions feeble. 1t re-
mains for the United States to frus-
trate this iniquity of Russia. 1t will
not have to do this alone. 1t will
have to take the initiative but it will
be upheld by strong hands, the hands
of Great Britain without a doubt,
and the two Anglo-Saxon countries
together are a host. And France and
Italy, even Germany, will not be far
behind. The laurels to be won at
The Hague are those of peace, and
the United States will not be permit
ted to bear them alone.
But it will require tremendous
wisdom and much subtlety. The
first conference was an expected fail,
ure; 1t disappointed the world by be
ling a success The second confer
ence is an expected success; it mus
not be allowed to fail because Rus
STA has resigned. st Paul Dispatch