The Savannah morning news., 1904-10-26

London, Oct. 25.-The inevitable de-
lays of diplomatic procedure appear to
retard a complete and satisfactory set
tlement of the acute differences be-
tween Great Britain and Russia aris-
ing from the deplorable North sea af-
fair.
King Edward has received from En-
peror Nicholas himself a cablegram ex-
pressing the deepest regret and prac-
ttcal acknowledgment that Great Brit
aims peremptory note will meet with
a reply conceding every demand for
apology for the act of the Russians
against the British flag, compensation
for the sufferers and punishment of the
officers responsible for what is every
where conceded to have been gigantic
blunder, and the Russian ambassador
to the court Of st. James has express
ed to Foreign Minister Lansdowne his
sorrow and sympathy.
These developments, which came late
in the day, have allayed to some ex-
tent the deep resentment in the public
mind, and the admiralty tonight gave
evidence of it's appreciation of the
necessity of proving that it is pre-
pared actively to support the position
of the people of Great Britain and
fulfill the expectations of the world,
when it issued the following statement:
Fleets Were in Readiness.
On receipt on Oct. "a of the news
of the North sea tragedy. preliminary
orders for mutual support and cooper
alton were issued as a measure of pre-
caution from the admiralty to the
Channel, Mediterranean and Home
fleets"
The day has been one of the busiest
in recent years in diplomatic circles
here. The Russian ambassador, who
only reached London shortly before
midnight Monday, was an early caller
at Lansdowne House and had a long
interview with Lord Lansdowne, after
which the Foreign Minister drove to
Downing street and conferred with
Premier Balfour and others, and for
the rest of the day was occupied with
a mass of matters pertaining to the af-
fair.
Almost momentarily the public ex-
pected sorue definite announcement of
an official nature, but late this after
noon the Foreign Office announced that
no further statement would be issued
tonight. 1t is understood that this is
because 1t is considered that it would
be unwise in the present state of pub.
lie feeling to make any immediate
proclamations concerning diplomatic
proceedings in view of Great Britains
announcement to Russia, that the mat
ter would not brook delay.
Benkendorff Not Concerned About
Attack on Him.
Count Benkendorff, the Russian am
bassador, was busy tonight at the
embassy with a mass of cipher dis
patches, and it was announced at the
embassy that it would be physically
impossible to prepare a formal reply
In such a short time.
While Great Britain is stirred to
Its depths, there has not been the
slightest evidence of a repetition of
the rowdyism of last night, which is
condemned on all sides. The sugges-
ton that Ambassador Benkendorffs'
visit to Lansdowne House, instead of
to Douning street, was due to fears of
mob violence, is Indignantly denied at
the foreign Office and at the embassy.
In fact, there was not the slightest
sign Of any gathering of a hostile
crowd at the foreign office, although
the police precautions were most thor
ough.
Count Benkendorff himself discussed
the incident of last night as trivial
and did not appear to consider it worth
notice. Popular appreciation of the
situation, however, was evinced when
King Edward appeared in public to-
day. He was greeted with more than
usual enthusiasm on account of the
decided tone of his telegram to the
mayor Of Hull, on Monday.
Couldn't Have Happened in British
or American Navy.
The speeches Of members Of the cab
met and of the House of Commons to-
day in different parts of the country
voice the sentiment Of Great Britain,
and the spirit in which the utterances
We're met shows that for the moment
party differences have been laid aside,
ana that the country is solidly be-
mind the government. Lord Selborne.
AZ the Pilgrims banquet tonight de-
nouneed the Dogger Bank affair in
me most outspoken terms yet heard
from member OF the cabinet, as an
ineNcusable Outrage" and "a terrible
Dlunder which would be impossible in