Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-26
REPLY IS INCOMPLETE
Russian Note to Great Britain
Unsatisfactory
IN NORTH SEA TRAGEDY
MIR. LANSDoWNE SAYS 1T FAILS
TO GRANT BRITISH DEMAND.
Punishment in Principle of Responsible
Officers Was Demanded-Reported
Recall Of Rojestvensky.
IN NORTH SEA TRAGEDY


eign Secretary Lansdowne considers that
Russia's reply in its present form Is In
complete, especially in the failure to
grant Great Britain's demand for the
punishment in principle of such officers
as might be found responsible.
Lord Lansdowne said late this after
noon, however, that he trusted the mat
ter would be settled within twenty-four
hours.
The Russian reply to Great Britain's
note on the subject of the North sea
tragedy has been received by the British
government. 1t expresses deep regret at
the occurrence and promises full repara-
tion so soon as an official report is re-
ceived from Vice Admiral Rotestvensky.
In a Formal Letter.
The reply was received by Ambassador
Benkendorn during the night and was
forwarded to Foreign Secretary Lans-
downe in the shape of a formal letter, In
which the ambassador waiting on cabled
instructions from St. Petersburg, gave
the above assurances, adding that while
the Russian government at the time Of
cabling was still without official knowl-
edge from its own sources of the occur
renee in the North sea, it feels so certain
Ii was error that IL wishes at once TO
express its regrets and assures the British
government that full compensation will be
made as soon as the details are received
reply in identical language is expected to
be handed to Ambassador Hardinge at st.
Petersburg today.
Ambassador Benkendorff himself drove to
Lansdowne House before noon and had half
an hours conference with Foreign Secre-
tary Lansdowne, and subsequently proceed
ed to Downing street and saw Premier Bal
four. During the conference Lord Selborne,
first lord of the admiralty. called in Capt.
Prince Louis of Battenberg. the director
of naval intelligence Attorney General Fin
lay was also present The premier, Prince
Louis and Lord Selborne are all members
of the defense committee.
The conference lasted about an hour.
Lord Selborne's speech at the Pilgrims
dinner yesterday evening is accepted as re-
vealing the precise nature of the British
demands, naemly, an ample apology, gener-
Gus compensation, the punishment of the
guilty and an adequate guarantee against a
repetition of the offense. The first lord of
the admiralty thus fully confirmed the AS
sociated Press advices of yesterday morn
ing.
No Warlike Preparations.
Apart from the admiralty's announcement
that precautionary orders had been issued
to the fleets, there are practically no signs
of anything in the nature of warlike prep
arations, thus confirming the opinion uni
versally held in all well-informed circles
here that the pledges given by Emperor
be Loyalty fulfilled and that the crisis will
pass away without serious consequences.
telegram from Portsmouth reported
that orders had been received this morning
to hurry the equipment of certain ships
of the reserve, but this, 1t is understood,
was comprised in the admiraltys order
already announced, and this continues 10
receive high approval from public podies
and the newspapers, though the more jim
goistic of the latter express the nope that
it means that the Russian squadron viii
not be permitted to go beyond Gibraltar,
or If it does that the squadron will be
followed. Vice Admiral Lord Beresfords
vessels, the channel squadron, are lying
conveniently In the shadow of the ROCK OF
Gibraltar.
The British cruiser Suffolk, which was to
have left Gibraltar for Malta today, was
ordered to remain at Gibraltar.
Reports of Russian Squadron
Reports of the whereabouts of the Rus
sia squadron are coming in from various
quarters Besides the arrival here or
steamer with a report of sighting the squad
ron, a steamer which arrived at Dart
mouth today reports having sighted five
Russian battle ships and three torpedo
boat destroyers off Ushant at midnight
Monday. This is supposed to be the second
division of the squadron.
telegram from Brest says the trans
port Kinasgortchakoff is still in the outer
roads awaiting the squadron. She mas
Q 200 tons of coal and thirty seamen on
hoard. who are 10 join ships of the squad
ron. Her commander this morning. sig.
mailed a request to the Russian vice consul
to come on board.
From Fiume Hungary, comes an an
nouncement of the arrival there OF SIX
British warships. while the rest OF tne
British Mediterranean fleet is on It's way
to Pola, Austria. -. 49,. -
Orders from the admiralty have been re-
ceived at Chatham dock yard, directing
that the reftting of the cruisers Kent ana
berwick be completed by Friday, SO that
thev NAV be able to join the cruiser squad
ron Saturday. a.. ,
II was stated in naval circles that undue
Inference must not be attached to the move
ments of British warships or to the activity
i'm British dockyards in view OF the iate
news indicating the passing of the acute
phase of the crisis 1t is suggested that
the naval authorities and the defense COM
mittee were glad of an opportunity Tor test
ing the mobilization plans. Apparently the
question of attempting to stop the Russian
squadron was not discussed by the British
officials as likely to require immediate de-
cision, owing to the belief that fun satis-
faction will be given. Col. Sir George
Clarke of the defense committee has stated
that he is no longer apprehensive OF the
matter reaching climax