The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-10-28
BRITISH IRE AROUSED
By. THE RUSSIAN DELAY

cation that a time limit has been SCI
by Great Britain for Russia's reply ID
her demands, but the fact that three
battleships and three cruisers are in
der orders for the morning of October
% is construed in some quarters TO
mean that Great Britain will not wa
longer than that date before unleash
ing her sea dogs, while it is also ev:-
dent that the Russian cruisers and
smaller boats of the Baltic squadron
may find difficulty in passing the gate
way to the east unless the crisis is COM
pletely over by the time they reach
the entrance to the Mediterranean.
Information has reached the Ass1-
ciated Press from an authoritative
source that puts a brighter light upod
the situation. 1t is understood that
practically everything has been decid
ed upon to the satisfaction Of Count
Lamsdorff, the Russian foreign minis
ter, except the question of punishment
of the offending officers of the Baltic
squadron. It is further understood that
Great Britain is not demanding final
and formal written undertakings be
fore announcing that she is satisfied,
but that an undertaking in general
terms on the part of Russia will be ac-
cepted as sufficient guarantee for an
official announcement that the crisis
has passed.
1:1S p. m. The Russian reply to
Great Britafns note on the subject of
the North sea tragedy has been receiv-
ed by the British government. 1t eX-
presses deep regret at the occurrence
and promises full reparation so soon
as an official report is received from
Vice Admiral Rojesvensky.
The reply was received by AmbasSa-
dor Benkendorffff during the night and
fTy-xx JaI 20
downe in the shape of a formal letter,
in which the ambassador, waiting on
cable instructions from st. Petersburg.
gave the above assurances, adding that
while the Russian government at the
time OF cabling was still without offic-
ial knowledge from it's own sources
of the occurrence in the North sea, Il
feels SO certain that it was an error
that it wishes at once to express its
regret and assures the British govern
ment that full compensation will he
made as soon as the details are re-
ceiyed.
5:02 p. m. Foreign Secretary Lans-
downe considers that Russia's reply in
its present form is incomplete, espe-
ciallv in the failure to grant Great
Britain's demand for the punishmene
in principle of such officers as might
be found responsible.
Lord 1Iansdowne said late this after
noon, however that he trusted :he
matter would be settled within twenty
four hours.
In interviews at the foreign office
with the foreign ambassadors, this
being the regular reception day, Lori
Lansdowne, though in no degree pessi-
mistic regarding the eventful outcome
gave his callers clearly to understand
that he did not regard Ambassador
Benkendorf's letter as altogether sat-
isfactory and that it was distinctly in
complete. 1t was gathered that Lord
Lansdowne has insisted that in the
written reply to be handed to Ambas-
sador Hardinge by Foreign Minister
Lamsdorff, punishment in principle
shall be included, and that thougf,
Great Britain is unable at the present
moment to specify the individuals like
" to be found responsible. Russia must
pledge herself not only to ascertain
who are responsible, but to punish
them in the most severe manner
Until Rojentvesky's report was re-
ceived Russia has exhibited reluctance
to give such a pledge, believing that
an ample apology in view of the lack
Of all official informa ton ON their own
side, would be sufficient
One of the ambassadors who visited
Lord Lansdowne today said that not
one of his colleagues believed that hos
tile issue was possible. The only con-
ceivable danger was the increasi bit
terness Of British public opinion which
is being famed into feverishness far
more by the announcement of the pre-
cautionary naval preparations than by
the news of the outrage itself.