The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-11-01
Chr mrssrnafr.
RUSSIA AND ENGLAND.


man who can give a correct explana-
ton of the action of the Russian fleet
in the North sea on last Friday nign-
Was it premeditated n deliberate,
a scheme OF the Russian government
for the purpose OF drawing England
into the war so that Russia could have
an excuse for suing for peace or agree
ing TO yield to the solicitations for am
icable settlement by intervening power
without the humiliation Of acknowledg-
ing defeat by Japan? We do not
think Russia would stoop to such ac-
ton. 1t cannot be that she woui1
purposely and maIiciously attack an
unoffending feet Of fishing boats IN or
der to arouse the hostile spirit of the
British nation to the point OF making
war on her for the purpose Of aVengiAg
such an injury to the national dlshl-
tv and invasion of the personal rights
and property of a nation with winch
she was at peace. At the same time
Russia's conduct, as developed by the
proceedings Of the last twenty-four
hours is calculated to arouse SUSPICION.
There is no doubt that she has been
yerv dilatory in making investigation
of the affair and of putting her side
of the case before the British govern
ment.
There is something mysterious about
the whole affair. The fact that the
fleet had to put into port for repairs
and coaIing so o after its departure
from Russian waters is inexplicab;e.
That fleet which had been for months
preparing for a voyage OF htteen
thousand miles to the seat of war, had
to put into a neutraI port for repairs
after proceeding a few hundred miles
shows that it was unseaworthw at.tne
start or that the plea of needful repairs
was a subterfuge.
Russia is evidently UP to one of her
old tricks. For years her diplomats
and governmental officials have had
the reputation of being leaders of the
world in treachery and chicanery in
diplomatic negotiations. 1t looks like
they are again at their old tricks.
At the same time we cannot believe
the home government planned this af-
fair. 1t looks more as if the COM
manders of the vessels of the Baltic
fleet had been stampeded into the at
tack on the British fishing feet and
that the government thought it well TO
take advantage of what had happened
to embrOil Great Britain in the quar-
rel and give herself an outlet for with
drawing from the contest.
1t would seem that if Russia was
sincere in her regret of what had hap
pened she would take advantage
of the first opportunity to explain the
action of her warship commanders and
officially offer apology and indemnity
for the damage done. She has not
done this and seems to be in no hurry
to do so.
In the meantime public sentiment in
Great Britain is becoming more in
ems and more hostile to the Russians.
Public feeling may yet force a war
with Russia. The situation is critical.
The developments of the next few days
will be awaited with intense interest
the world over.
We cannot but think thai after all
the Russian naval officers on the Bal
tic fleet lost their heads and took the
British fishing boats for a hostile fleet
But the question is. will the Russian
urnyarnropnt ndrpif this on1 rron mot
only to make PREPARATION for the insult
TO the flag and for the loss of life and
property, but also punish the officers
who were the cause of the unwarrant-
ed attack
1t may be that this is the crisis be-
tween Great Britain and Russia in
regard to the affairs in the east. Foi
years events have pointed to the tims
these two powers would NEE
in deadly conflict for control of the
east. Since h American-Spanish wal
the United States have acquired inter
ests in that part of the world, the
same in many respects as those o.
England in India. What threaten.
England's supremacy in India threat.
n that of the United States in the
Philippines. The interests of the tive
nations in the far east are closely unit
ed, What threatens one threatens tbs
other. Therefore these two power
should stand shoulder to shoulder
each the strong and avowed ally O.
h other. We do not want to see IN
United States and England in a wa,
with Russia but we would like on
government and people to let Russi,
understand that we consider England: