New-York tribune., 1907-10-27
THE WISH FOR PEACE.

The statement Of the Russian Foreign Min
ister, made last week in Paris. concerning Rus
sia's and Europe's desire for peace NAV be
taken in entire good faith as a sincere state
ment Of fact. Russia. he said, does moi want
adventures she wants peace she is pursuing
to-day policy Of peace. And he added that
his recent observations of Europe had con-
WINGED him that the same desire reigned every
where. His remarks accord with reason and
with what we know Of the world
He might, no doubt truly have said NOT sim
ply that Russia did not want adventures. but
that she did not want any more adventures.
Tor Of all European powers save one Russia
mas in the recent past most sought warIike adj
ventures. Some Of them have proved profit
able, and some disastrous Now il may be
that her spirit has not changed. We are not
sure that national spirits do change She NAV
be just as much inclined toward adventure now
as ever. Or rather she might be- if there were
any occasion for it or any good prospect Of
success. But the concrete fact is that tbera
are no more opportunities for adventure There
are no more Turkestans 10 conquer In China
and Corea an insuperabe barrier has been
raised by Japan and in Persia and Afghan
istan an understanding has been reached with
England. In the Balkans there is no longer
any hope Of a Russian advance. nor is there
IN scandinavia. We would not wish TO be
ungracious in saying that Russia desires peace
because there is no chance of successful war
but II is certain tribute TO a nation TO saw
mat u-appreciates Alright existing circuIn-
stances and wisely adapts itself TO Them
We have referred 10 Germany as poyver
which in the past sought warlike adventures
Al least three wars We're essentially involved
IN Bislnafcks original plan for the creation Of
new German Empire. Those wars were
Fought in close succession and with nreciselv
iae results which were intended by the great
apostle OF Blood and Iron. That anv sprious
statesman in Germany cOntemplates n continuo
uoh oi mat policy, or considers If likely ever
20 o. necessary again. is not for a moment to
De supposed Bismarck himself recognized +ba
lacI mat the work of adventure and cououes+
NaS d0Le ii his day. and that there remained
Only the works of peace. Russia. with her vast
pl"beins of domestic administration. and Cor
ilahy, w.t. her enormous industriaIism and
ocean commerce. are conspicuously powers
whose interests are 10 be served bv neoca
falher than war. And If they are for neace.
what Others are likely 20 he for war or n he
80 lhtent On war as TO bring it about?
Inc time is past when nations went ia vvar
just for the sake OF lighting or for copo,,o.t
OF their nesghbers. Wars nowadays must have
more convincing causes than those. Ard - 70
oiiheat to discern in any part OF the gIobn
anyshunclent cause 10 warrant exnectatiop oe
serious war in our time Each great nation
mas either secured the objects of IT'S ambition
OF mas mad conVincingly impressed upon II n
eense or It's inevitable limitations. Tho Trnital
elateS once engaged In a war of sheer con.
quesl Dot 70 viii not do so again. ~ for no
e'- ieafon ahan that there Is no territory