The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-11-04
SCARE
Was All UnneC-
eSSdry.
BritOns Excited by
RumOrS.
REPORT OUT
That English Fleet
Cleared for Action.
English Feel. That War Is Like
" to Result From North
Sea Incident.

London, Nov. 2.-Negotiations be-
tween Great Britain and Russia look
ing to settlement of the North Sea
affair are progressing favorably, and
there is not the slightest danger of
any friction arising between the two
governments. The constitution Of the
international commission under The
Hague convention is on the verge of
settlement
In spite Of these pacific conditions
Great Britain yesterday experienced a
war panic that can only be compared
to the panic created on October %,
when the news of the sinking of the
trawlers in the North Sea was receiv-
ed. Not for years have so many
alarmist reports and flaming extras
flooded London The most extraordi-
nary feature of this scare, which was
serious enough while it lasted, is that
there was not one single circumstance
to justify it
The excitement started early in the
day, when the newspapers announced
the departure of the Russian Baltic
squadron from Vigo. The public was
not in possession of the information
cabled by the Associated Press to the
United States that only the officers
concerned in the firing on the British
trawlers would be detached and
jumped at the conclusion that Russia
had broken faith by not OBTAINING the
vessels involved in the affair. On top
of this came wild reports Of tremend-
GUS activity at Gibraltar.
Hour by hour the news from Gibral-
tar became more serious, until at last
the climax was reached with the an
nouncement that the British fleet had
cleared for action. Some even said
the fleet had sailed to meet Rojest-
vensky's squadron In huge type the
papers made the parallel statements
the Russian fleet has sailed"-"the
British fleet has cleared for action"
No newspapers and no person seemed
able to explain these events The re-
assuring Information available in the
United States that the sailing Of the
Baltic squadron from Vigo was with
the knowledge of and agreeable to the
British government was not even
hinted at by the papers here.
The news from Gibraltar became
more and more alarmist, and finally
the foreign office was overrun by re-
porters. some of whom brought the
rumor that Admiral Beresford had al
ready sunk the remnant of Admiral
Rojestvensky's fleet Ambassador
Benckendorff at that moment was
quietly discussing with Foreign Min
lister Lansdowne the personnel of the
international commission, but It was
popularity rumored that he was receiv-
ing an ultimatum- Premier Balfour,
Admiral Fisher, chief
at Portsmouth; Lord Selborne, first
lord Of the admiralty. and Prince
Louis of Battenburg, director Of naval
intelligence, were all in conference,
and it was openly limited that they
were planning the first stroke of war
AS a matter Of fact they, like Lord
Lansdowne, were considering names
that had been suggested for the inter-
national commission When all Lon
don was in this state of mind and
while anybody who might be supposed
to know anything was constantly be-
ing asked has war been declared ?"
the foreign office decided to adopt a
course most unusual for it, and in or
der to allay the public excitement,
gave Oul W TIE press Inc lOllOWlu6
statement:
Before the Russian fleet left vigo
instructions were given to the Rus
sian admiral with the view to prevent
ing injury or Inconvenience to neutral
shipping during the passage Of the
Russian feet to the far east
"In compliance with Russia's en-
gagement four Russian officers have
been left behind at Vigo. The two
governments are now discussing the
terms with reference to the interna-
tional commission which will be en-
trusted with the proposed inquiry"
The furore would be ludicrous ex-
cept for the striking instance it has
afforded of the willingness Of the Brit
ish public to believe that almost any
development is possible after the
North Sea affair and for the enthusi-
asm produced by Gibraltar's warlike
news. The foreign office is intensely
irritated at the construction placed
upon what they declare must have
been mere fleet and garrison exer-
cises. The Associated Press is author
lied to.state that no orders have been
given the huge feet now concentrated
at Gibraltar to make any preparations
in connection with the departure of
Rojestvensky's squadron.
At meeting Of the Central Ohio
Eclectic Medical association held in
Springfield Tuesday bylaws and con-
stitution as drawn up by DR.. J. P.
Harbert, of this city, were adopted
DR.. L. E. Russell, of Springfield, pres