The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-10-28
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the circumstances reported by Ad-
mirai Rojcstvensky are to him. incon-
ceivable, tho foreign minister is not pre-
vented from seeing that new light has
been thrown on the Outrage" and that
diplomatic usage now compels less Urgent
action than the British government Ut
first contemplated.
In the present temper OF the British
nation. II 10 not at all likely that preps.
rations for hosullties will be relaxed or
that the popular cutlery will bo dnin-
ished by Admiral Rojestvensky's report;
but It Is understood that Great BIRTH n
would run the risk OF forfeiting In some
degree the good will OF France and GER
tainy that OF Germany II she proceeded
70 substitute wnrlite for diplomatic steps,
Of which intention, SO It Is stated, at
the Russian embassy tonight there Is no
indication In Lord Lansdownes comlnu-
nicatior. ~
Tnn latitude Of france 10 held to be
Of theS highest Importance. It was said
to-day by the representative OF another
great power that II France had given
definite assurances that sho would not
support Russia in the event OF war grow
Ing out OF the North Sea incident, hose
tile issue would be almost inevitable, as
3 80" S~asPsthSA0ai ~ VI u0I LiIt9 1NuSolt4A
naval power after such provocation could
scarcely have been refused by Great
Britain. II Is pointed out that 1t is
greauy to Frances interest to preserve
peace, and her efforts in that direction
obviously will be strengthened by not
committing herself except at tho last
moment. SO long as Great Britain is not
sure whether France will help Russln,
she will not be likely to engage in wal !,
While Russia, with France neutral, would
SO It is thought. at most OF the om-
bassies here. scarcely invite defeat. The
most probable solution Of tho rumors
regarding Frances position, Is said by
a high authority to be that she has
given both disputants to understand that
she does not desire to become Involved.
but has reserved her final decision.
Ambassador Ca1nbon was INCREASINGLY
active throughout the day, not only in
visiting Foreign Minister Lansdowne and
Ambassador Benkendorfr, but other OF
his diplomatic colleagues.
Baron Hayashi, the Japanese minister,
after reading Admiral Rojestvensky's re-
port, reiterated his statement that 1t
was Impossible that any japanese torpedo
bontA could have been where the Rus
sian admiral thought them. He declared
that Rojestvensky's own statement OF
indiscrin1inate firing after such slight
investigation, proved that the Russian
fleet was likely to menace the safety
OF neutral seas and make International
law merely a farce. War between Eng
land and Russia, Baron Hayashi frankly
admitted, would be greatly to Japans adj
vantage; yet, as friend OF England, he
would be sorry to see 1t come, though
such a war could hardly consist OF moro
hpp onA iye U-p Uernanf fha peault
Of which would be foregone conclusion.
Exactly what method can be taken
to Investigate yice-Admiral Rotest-
venskys statement does mot clearly APP
pear. The Russian embassy hero can
throw no light upon the alleged presence
OF torpedo boats In the North Sea. the
British admiralty has no information. and
frequent inquiry among the .trawlers
ELECTS no new facts. The Russian eni-
bassy thinks that further and more
elaborate inqnryi is proceeding at Vigo
Ew1lere The testimony Of the officers par-
hcipating In the affair is being infinitely
recorded. Ss,t spsg 8Jg5 ~ EiE'