The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-10-28

London. October 24-Great Britain to-
day sent a long and urgent note to the
Russian government officially detail
ing the circumstances of the amazing
and unexplained attack by the Russian
second Pacific squadron, during the
night of october 21st, on the British
fishing boats on the North sea. The
text of the note has not been given out,
but it is officially stated from the for
eign office that it contains the signifi-
cant announcement that the situation
is one which, in the opinion of his
majesty's government, does not brooke.
delay"
Meanwhile the conservative public
and press are remarkably, undenOn-
strative. AS usual the lingo element
demands war, and even in official quar-
tiers some go So far as to say hat it
may be necessary to stop the Pacific
fleet, pending settlement of the whole
affair, though this extreme measure, it
is believed will not be necessary.
Everywhere there is evidence of the
very pOSlJINS OpIIllOII lLldI IL ID III
time for the usual diplomatic dilly-dal-
lying, that there must be no delay and
no limit set by Russia to her apology
OF the extent of compensation for suf-
ferers by what King dwar himself
terms the understandable action of
the Russian commanders.
Foreign Secretary L~ansdowne reach
ed London this afternoon and after
gathering the latest details known at
the foreign office regarding the firing
on the British fishing boats by the
Russian squadron proceeded to Buck
ingham palace, where he had a lehSthy
interview with King Edward. The lat
ter telegraphed a message of sympathy
to the mayor of Hull, the text of which
is as follows:
buckingham Palace, Oct. %, 1904.
To His Worship, the Mayor of Hull:
The King commands me to say that
he has heard with profound sorrow of
the u~nwarrantable action which has
been committed against the North sea
fishing fleet, and asks you to express
the deepest sympathy of the queen and
his majesty with the families of those
who have suffered from this most la
4iIC4IldOlS occurrence
(Signed.) KNOGLYS."
The deep resentment of n whole
British public, however. is reflected by
the incident at the Victoria station to-
night on the arrival of Count Benken-
dorff from the Continent.
THERE'S no attempt anywhere amCng
men of responsibility to magnify the
occurrence into a deliberate act Of w2r;
but in view of the present inc bility to
find an explanation there is beng
poured upon the heads of h officers of
the squadron a flood of invective and
~insinuation though incompetence first
and thereafter complete panic is the
most generally accepted explanation.
Thus far no official word has been re-
ceived from st. Petersburg as to the
attitude of the Russian government.
The fact tina it had been decided
during the day to prepare a semi-offcial
note expressing the regret of the RuS-
sian government and it's willingness to
make full reparation SO soon as the r.
sponsibility is fixed was communicated
by the Associated Press to Lord LSnc-
downe, and was the first Information
on the subject he had received from st,
Petersburg.
The absence during the day of Count
Benkendorff, the Russian ambassador
necessarily caused some delay; but the
Russian charge d~'affaires, who called
at the foreign office on request by note
from Lord L~ansdowne, unofficially ex-
pressed deep regret and, as far as ii
was possible for him to go, gave assur-
ances of speedy action by the Russian
government. Lord Lansdowne in this
interview told NJ. Sansonoff, the charge
hat he desired to see Ambassador Ben
kendorff Tuesday morning. Lore
Iansdowne asked NJ. Sansonof if he
could offer any explanation of the affail