The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-28

3erl10,
Lokal Anzeiger dated Geestemund, octo-
Der q. 90 =. M, says the fishing vessel
Sonntag which arrived here today report
ed that ii had been fired H>on for two
and half hours off Dogger bank, but
was not hit.
The following is the story of Captain
Haehner of the Sonntag:
"On October 21 we were on the Horns
Reef fishing grounds, on the west coast
of .Jutland. In the forenoon five large
Russian ships passed and in the evening
nine more North of us was large
freight steamer. AT $3.50 p. m. we were
lighted by d reflector, and Immediately
afterwards there fell the first shells in
our neighborhood.
"The Russian vessels fired up to eight
shots minute in all directions. Towards
$3.50 the freighter approached us, drawing
the fire upon itself. In the light of the
reflector we observed shells striking
close to this steamer We then observed
another reflector southwark, and shells
bursting near the ship which was firing
upon us. We remained unhurt. After IL
o'clock there were no further Shells"
London, October 27-One of the most
complicated diplomatic situations on rec
crd and one that is attended with the
most dangerous possibilities for the peace
of the Whole of Europe, exists tonight,
with no sign of immediate solution.
The tension that arose when the dis
pute between Great Britain and Russia
resolved itself into the simple question
whether Russia would or would not guar
antee in advance that some punishment
should be administered to the officers of
the Baltic squadron, has been modified
by the Introduction of an entirely new
set of contentious contained in Vice Ad-
miral RojestVensky's report; yet even the
most astute diplomats who recognize
temporary Improvement in conditions, are
puzzled by he complications that so Gu
riously cause it, However. there is to-
night at the embassies of the powers not
concerned in the dispute, a very strong
opinion that a way will be found out of
the situation.
Pursues Policy of Silence.
The foreign office apparently is as puz-
zled as the onlookers and pursues the
policy of silence, while the British press
is almost totally uniformed. The volum-
inous exchanges daily occurring between
London and ST. Petersburg continue, the
SldttIueHl tudl no reply lTOIl RUSSIA mas
been received adding to the Implication
that Russia is Intentionally ignoring the
British representations 1t is this mis-
conception which is responsible for the
stirring up OF a popular agitation against
which -the government may find it hard
to stand out in the possible event of
Foreign Minister Lansdowne withdraw
ing the demand that Russia guarantee
punishment before inquiry is instituted.
Had Admiral Rojestvensky's report not
arrived, it Is probable the dispute would
have been settled one way or the other
tonight.
Its terms are generally held to prevent
the ultimatum which Great Britain in
tended to send Although Lord Lans-
downe has frankly said that the report
of Admiral Rojestvensky is to him incon-
ceivable. the foreign minister is not pre-
vented from seeing that new light has
been thrown en- the outrage, and that Dip
lomatic usage now compes less urgent
action than the British government at
first contemplated.
Public Outcry Still Great.
In the present temper of the British
nation, it is not at all likely the represen-
tations for hostilities will be relaxed, or
that the popular outcry will be diminish
ed by Admiral Rojestvenskys report but
it is understood that Great Britain would
good will of France and certainly that
of Germany if she proceeded to substi-
tute warlike for diplomatic steps. of
which intention, so it is stated at the
Russian embassy, there is no indication
in Lord Lansdowne's communication.
The attitude of rance is held of the
highest Importance. 1t was the current
report here that If France had given def
mite assurance that she. would not sup
mort Russia i'm event of war PrOUip olt
of the North sea incident a hostile issue
would be almost inevitable and the temp
tation to crush the Russian navy on
such provocation could scarcely have
been refused by Great Britain. 1t is point
ed out that it is greatly to Frances in
terest to preserve peace and her efforts
in that direction obviously will be strong
er by not committing herself except at
the last moment. So long as Great Brit
ain is not sure whether France will help
Russia, she will not be likely to engage
in war: while with France neutral. would
so it is thought at most of the embas-
sizes, scarcely invite defeat.
Most Probable Solution.
The most probable solution of the ru-
mors regarding Frances position is said
on high authority to be that she has
given both disputants to understand that
she does not desire to become involved,
but has reserved her final decision.
THE Russian and French embassies were
unusually active throughout the day on
account of visit of Minister Lansdowne
and others of the diplomatic corps.
The Japanese minister, after reading
Admiral Rojesventsky's report again re-
iterated his statement that it was i'm
possible that any Japanese torpedo boats
could have been where the Russian ad-