New-York tribune., 1904-10-25
NO TINE FOR DELAY.
British Note to Russia Urges
Speedy ActiOn-Kiug's Fie5C.

London. Oct 24-Great Britain to-day sent
a long and urgent note to the Russian govern
ment. officially detailing the circumstances oe
the amazing and unexplained attack on British
fishing boats in the North sea by the Russian
second Pacific squadron on the night of October
II The text OF the note has not been given
out but it is officially stated from the Foreisn
once that 1t contains the significant announces
ment that "the situation is one which, in the
opinion Of His Majesty's government. does noe
brook delay"
Meanwhile the conservative public and press
are remarkably uudemorstrative- As usual
the jingo element demands war, and even IN
official quarters some so so far as to say that
il may ts necessary ~ step ths Fsc.dc 6czt
pending settlement Of the whole affair. though
this extreme measure. il is believed. win not be
necessary Everywhere there is evidence of
the very positive opinion that this is no tiDls
for the usual diplomatic dilly-daIyins. thu:
there must be ro-deIay and no limit set by Rus
sia to her apology or the extent Of comDensa-
tion for sufferers by what King Edward HIM
self terms 'the unvarrantable action OF the
Baltic squadron commanders.
The Kings expression of his estimate Of tho
Russian action was contained in message oG
sympathy % the Mayor Of Hull The text %
the dispatch follows:
Buckingham Palace. October "a 1904
To His Worship the Mayor Of Hull:
The King commands me 10 say that he has
heard with profound sorrow Of the unwarrant-
able action which has been committed against
the North Sea fishing feet and asks you TO eX-
press the deepest sympathy Of the Queen and
his majesty with the families Of those whe
have suffered from this most lamentable OccUrs
renee. kNOLLYS.
King Edward also sent 70 the Mayor OF Hun
$1,000 as his gift for the families Of the victims
Premier Balfour. replying to telegram from
the Mayor of Hull asking the governments to
replied
Your telegram received. You ney have fun
confidence IN the governments action.
The deep resentment of the whole British
pubic. however, is reflected by the Incident az
the Victoria Station tonight on The arrival q
Count Beuckendorh from the Continent There
is no attempt anywhere among men Of respon-
sibiIity to magnify the scuadrons action into
deliberate act OF war but in view Of the present
inability TO fnd IN explanation there is being
poured upon the heads of the officers q tho
squadron food Of invective and insinuatiou,
though the most generally accepted explanation
is incompetence frst and thereafter completes
panic. Thus far no official word has been re-
ceived from St. Petersburg as 10 the attituds
OF the Russian government. The fact that it
had been decided during tae day to prepars
semi official note expressing the regret Of tha
Russian government and it's willingness TO rnlAs
full repara-ion soon as the responsibility -
fixed communicated by The Associated
Press to Lord Lansdowne and was the first In
formation ON he subject he had received from
St Petersburg
The absence during the day of Count Benck-
endorff. the Russian Ambassador. caused some
delay; but the Russian charge daHaires. who
called at the Foreign OfEce on request BY note
from Lord Lansdovne. uaoslcialiy expressed
deep regret and. as Ear as it was possible Tor
hm to so gave assurance of speedy action by
the Russian government Lord Lansdowue in
this interview told NJ. sansonon. the charge.
that he desired 10 see Ambassador Bencker-
dorn Tuesday morning lord LansdoVus
asked N. saasonoH II hs could orer any eO-
pIanation % the AFFAIR. and the latter replied
that he only knew what had appeared IN thu
papers. and that he had not received any word
up to that time from st. Petersburg. Lord
Lansdowne gave no suggestion as to what mishs
be done IN the matter
Al the Russian Embassy It was stated thaf
''ths whole affair was SO obviously mistake.