New-York tribune., 1911-12-19

/ The real question at Washington
which tho President has taken in hand
To answer I'm manner BETTING the IN
| tereStS and dignity Of a great nation
| has been whether we wanted relief from
an unacceptable situation or indulgence
} i'm rodomontadc. There was general
agreement that the treaty relations he
! tween this country and Russia are un-
satisfactory. Were we 10 set ourselves
I in a practical and efficient manner to
/ the task Of correcting them, perhaps 10
I the extent Of negotiating new treaty
! or to make a show of the nation in the
eyes of the world by putting ourselves
/ in position from which we should
before long wish 10 he eXtricated?
| The Russian Ambassador put the case
rather too strongly i'm saying that the
passage OF the Sulzer resolution i'm its
present form would he regarded as an
unfriendly act. or at any rate his words
are susceptible of too strong meaning;
for the phrase quoted is commonly used
10 describe a cnSus bClh Nevertheless.
We must remember that the words ot
the resolution closely and essentially re-
semble those of its chief precedent. the
resolution of July l. 1893 whereby Con-
gresS abrOgated the treaties with France
and forthwith brought on n war WIN
that country which was none the less
real and serious because il was never
formally declared Mr. Sulzer and his
colleagues certainly did not intend or
desire to proceed to such an extremity.
The truth Is that the resolution as it
passed the House was needlessly oten-
sive i'm tone and likely TO irritAte ana
antaconiZc Russia rather than to pro-
mote a speedy and honorable settlement
of the controversy. More than that, 1t
was framed in way which might cause
embarrassment and humiliation TO TINS
country. There are many who think
that Russia has violated the provisions
of the treaty of 1880. But il is much
easier 10 think and say that than 10
prove 1t 10 the satisfaction of an inter
national tribunal. There are certainly
many. including some Of the best au-
thoritieS and those who most earnestly
dieapprove RuSSia's treatment of certain
American citizens. who realize that 1t
would he exceedingly difficult 10 estab-
/ liSh convincngly the premise OF the
resolution.
The rational view Of the case is this:
That the treaty Of 1892 was made at a
time when the conditions which now
I exist had not only not come into exist
/ ence but were not even remotely fore
seen. and that there has now arisen
1 radical difference of opinion between the
! two governments concerning the man
ncr i'm which the terms of the treaty
ought TO he applied 10 these new and
unexpected conditions. With the view
Of our own government we must. of
course. fully and strongly Sympathize.
II seems TO us TO he the only interpre-
taton of the treaty which accords with
American principles of equality. Yet II
would he unreasonable not TO concede a
certain ground for the Russian point of
view. especially since Russia is not dis
eliminating against us in this matter
but is treating us precisely rs she treats
other powers. with their acquiescencc
/ Obviously such situation prescrihes
reasoning rather than rOdOmontade.
II is gratifying, therefore, to know
/ that the President took the initiative
several days ago in a grave and decor
ouS manner. though with sufficient firm
ness. causing the Russian government
/ 10 be informed Of the purpose to abro-
i gate the treaty at the end of the PERIOD
which its terms prescribe; and TO learn
+ that the Senate is ready 10 ratify his
action by means Of dignfied and tcm-
pcrate resolution in which the House Is
expected promptly to concur Thus
/ there is reason 10 hope that the ameni-
| ties of international intercourse will he
preserved and the way prepared for the
/ negotiation Of a new treaty which will
/ fit changed conditions. and. without a
( strain on the self-respect of either ma
Ition. accomplish the object that the peo-
| pie Of the United States generally and
rightly regard as indispensable.