New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-29
PREMIER GAINS BRITAIN.
Russia's attitude Praised = Var
ships Held at Yigo.

SHIPS Held at FlgO.
London, Oct. 2s.-AH danger OF war between
Russia and Great Britain has been averted. ana
the settlement Of the only points in dispute
garding the attack by the Russian Baltic squad
British trawlers, October 21. has been
referred to an International commission under
The Hague convention.
Premier BaIfour speaking at a meeting OF
the National Union of Conservative Clubs at
southampton tonight. broke that silence which
had been so long preserved which had brought
the people Of the United Kingdom to a condi-
ton Of almost desperate irritation and which
had given rise to misconceptions which Mr. Bal
four tonight himself exposed The Russian
Ambassador said Mr.. BalfoUr. has author
lied statement TO the following effect.
The Russian government on hearfns, OF tba
NoTth Sea Incident, at once expressed its pro
1cGnd regret and also promised most Hhsra1
compensation. The government has ordered the
detention az Vlso of that part Of the f-et wafch
was concerned in the incident in order that the
raval authorities might ascertain what OHfcers
we're responsible for IL; that those officers and
atiE material Witnesses would not proceed on
the voyage to the Far East and that fnquirv
would be instituted into the facts by an inter
national commission, as provided by The Hague
Convention:
That, Mr.. Balfour interpolated had nothing
to do with arbitration; it was the constitution
OF an international commission, in order 10 ind
out the facts. and any person found guilty would
be tried and punished adequately.
The Russian government undertook. that pre-
cautions would be taken TO guard against re-
currence Of such incidents. Special Instructions
on this subject would be issued.
Preliminary to this court said Mr.. Balfour.
there would be the coroners inquest al Hun
over the dead fishermen a Board OF Trade in
quiry. and an inquiry by Russian officials ar
vigo- The Board of Trade inquiry would be
specially constituted by the British governments
10 include representative men The Russian
Embassy has been asked to send a representa-
tive and give assistance.
Apology and compensation having already
been offered. nothing now remained but to de-
tern'ine which account is correct, Rojestvensky.s
or the trawlers'. Mr.. BaIfour plainly said that
Thursday eveatng Russia ana Great BritaI.,
seemed TO be on the brinl, Of war and ye, gavs
the f-ankest praise TO the attitude preserved
throughout by the Emperor and Russian gov
eminent While the Premier was unable to
praise the pacific attitude OF the government too
highly, be bitterly assat'ed Rojestvcnsky's re-
port declaring that it was an Insult to Great
Britain as a neutral nation. and ridicuIed its
probability
The immense audience received Mr. Balfour's
announcement Of the settlement OF the affair
with unbounded enthusiasm. which was echoed
through the kingdom when the evening extras
came out and set suspense at rest.
The day was an eventfuI one in the metropolis.
The population. stirred by haring headlines in
the morning newspapers. seemed convinced that
war was inevitable The Cabinet meeting.
which was held at noon. served to increase
rather than alIay anxiety. Through the coun-
try there had spread a deep rooted. though per-
fectIy erroneous. idea that Great Britain had
given Russia time limit in which TO reply. and
Charley Beresford. England's naval idol was
on the spot. Many. indeed thought Il was only
a question Of hours when he would be 6enoIish-
ing Russian ships.
The Marquis Of Winchester presided over the
immense meeting at Artillery Hail. SouthanD-
ton where Mr. Balfour spoke. The Premier's
appearanc, was the signal for loud and Ious
cheers. He said IN part:
II this meeting had been held yesterday even
ing / would not have dared 10 preface my r.
marks IN a hopeful tone. Every oodv felt thar
IL the trawler incident could be repeatsi 4.
belligerent feet was indeed a pest against vyhlcl
all neutral powers would be bound TO comb ne
The only version we had on Monday OF the
lamentable incidents Of the previous Fridav Vvas
the version supplied US by the tTaWIers Thurs.
day morning the situation changed. because for
the frst time we nae the counter story. supplied
by the Russian admiral In the story Of o1Ir
fishermen there was much tragedy. but no 20
nance: in the story OF the Russian adr1froI
there is no tragedy. but am driven to the be,iaS
that there Is much romance. 10 Is irnpossfbIa 81
doubt which Is the correct story. should uop
have approached II but for the fact that ~
admiralS story IL really an attack upOn orr
national honor, and implies that We Ars noi
doing our duty neutFals.
In an Island kingdom Ike Great Britain th7