The Savannah morning news., 1904-10-24
ENGLISH OUTRAGED
BY THE ACT OF WAR.
Continued fro,,, Elrv. o.

Continued from First Page.
cumulative evidence no longer left
doubt of the general accuracy of the
eeports astonishment became bewil-
derment as TO what possible motive
could have led Russian officers into
such an extraordinary and inexplica-
Ole course Of action. which, unless a
satisfactory explanation is immedi-
ately forthcoming. could only be re-
garded as an act of war. This is the
view taken editorially by all the
morning papers.
The worst feature of the story. as
viewed here. is the heartlessness dis
played by the Russian fleet in steam
ing away without taking the trouble
10 ascertain even whether their fire
had inflicted any damage and with
out any effort to rescue the victims.
While admitting the necessity of a
suspension of judgment for investiga-
ton and explana ton, the morning
newspapers are unanimous in demand
ing that the government instruct Am
bassador Hardinge to make the
strongest representations to the st.
Petersburg government and obtain
reparation and apology and assurances
of the Russian Pacific fleets good be-
havior for the future. 1t is held that
the omission of the Russian fleet to
stay its course down the channel to
offer any explanation makes the case
look exceedingly grave. and the only
possible solution of the mystery that
has been suggested is that, excited by
rumors recently spread of Japanese
intentions on the Pacific squadron, in
the event of it's sailing, the Russian
gunners yielded to panic and supposed
that the trawlers' rockets were the
signals of an enemy's fleet.
In view of the decision in the Allan
ton case, it is regarded as quite i'm
possible that the st. Petersburg au-
thorities can be held in any way re-
sponsible for the incident
Considering the circumstances in the
case, the newspapers treat the mat
ter with commendabe calmness, but
are firm in demands for immediate sat
lSldCllOus he 1llIODlClG says.
1.-THE next twenty-four hours must
settle it one way or the other. Only
two modes of settlement are possible.
Explanation, apology and generous COM
pensation to the victims families or
an ultimatum."
The Standard says: IAN explanation
should be promptly and sternly de-
manded for the intolerable outrage.
The Russian government should be in
formed hat 1t is expected to recall it's
ill-starred squadron, first, in order that
proper investigation may be held, and,
second, to keep it out of harms way
for the future
The shippers of the Moulmin and
Mino, ]. A. Smith and Solicitor Jack
son, arrived in London at o'clock this
morning, but beyond confirming the
previous story, they declined to say
anything before consulting the authori-
ties.
Inquiries at Davenport last night
showed that no special naval movement
had been reported and that Admiral
Seymour had no official news of the
outrage.
Admiral Freemantle, in the course
of an interview, said he was unable
Baltic fleet which fired on the Hull
fishermen, but il so, ne added, moth
ing but the most complete apology
would be satisfactory
Sir Frederick Pollock. an authority
on international law, said:
IF the facts are as stated, 1t is
an act of war. 1t must mean an I'LL
timatum or an apology within forty
eight hours or so. 1t will proabbly be
found, however, that some Russian
commander lost his head suspecting
Japanese designs. and that he will be
cashiered and an apology ordered
M. Sazonoff, one of the officials of
the Russian embassy, last night ex-
pressed deep regret for the North sea
| incident. He was convinced he said,
that the unfortunate event was the re-
suit of accident. If there had been
firing it could only have been due to
suspicion of some hostile attack upon
the fleet.