Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-11-01
Deep Mystery Surrounds
Sudden Activity at
Gibraltar.
ALL READY FOR ACTION
Official Statements Deny That
There is Any Hitch in
Negotiations.

Gibraltar, Nov. 1.-The garrison has
been mobIized and the artiIIerymen
have been ordered to take up their
positions at the different batteries of
the rock.
The channel squadron has been or
dered to be in readiness at an hours
notice.
CLEAR FOR ACTION.
Gibraltar. Nov. 1, 2:5o p. m.-Vice
Admiral Beresfords flagship Caesar
has just fired gun recalling all Off
GERS of the channel squadron on board
their respective ships. All ships are
cleared for action.
STATEMENT ISSUED.
London, Nov. Late this afternoon
the press association issued a state
ment saying it has reason to believe
the action of the Russian admiral in
sailing from Vigo leaving only four
subordinate officers to testify before
the international commission has again
brought the AngIo-Russian crisis dan
gerousIy close to an acute stage.
London. Nov. 1.-(4:30). There is
no explanation yet of the apparently
alarming telegrams from Gibraltar but
at the admiralty the movements of
the warships are stated to be in com
pletiOn of plans for mobilization. al
though Gibraltar says the mobilization
terminated Sunday. There appears to
have been some conflict in orders is
sued to the fleets owing to the sudden
changes in the diplomatic situation
which may possibly account for the
fleets movements.
Crisis Positively Denied.
Both at the foreign office and the
Russian embassy it is positively stated
there is no hitch in the negotiations
except. Russia's failure TO notify the
British government of the names of Of
ffcers detached from the Russian
squadron.
starts RumOrS.
London Nov. Up TO 2 this after
noon no explanation was obtainable of
the sensational dispatches from Glib
raltar announcing the mobilization of
the garrison there, etc, but they had
the effect of starting rumOrs of a hitch
in negotiations for a final settlement
Of the North sea incident
Sees King Edward.
Russian Ambassador Benckendorf
was received in audience by King Ed
ward this afternoon. 1t is assumed the
ambassador was the bearer of a mes
sage from Emperor Nicholas.
Benckendorff had a most cordial in
terview with the king, who, it is un-
derstood. expressed for transmission
to ST Petersburg his satisfaction at
the present method Of settling the dis
pute.
Not Notified of Compliance.
The government here has received
notification from the British consul at
Vigo that the Russian squadron had
sailed today. Some irritation is felt
at the fact that the Russian govern
ment had failed to previously notify
the government regarding the detach
ment of the officers.
Bcnckendorff is hourly expecting Off
cial advices, and while the foreign Of
fee obviously is annoyed at not know
ing officially that Russia had carried
out her part of the bargain, no serious
consequences are anticipated.
This the Only Hitch.
It is officially stated to the Associa-
ted Press that. with the exception of
the foregoing omission to notify the
government, no hitch has occurred.
Leave VigO.
VigO. Spain, Nov. All the Rus
sian warships left here at 8 this morn
ing. The Russian squadron was fol
lowed by the Spanish cruiser Extrema-
dura.
Heavy firing was heard in the offing
this morning. II was attributed to ar
tillery practice.
It is confirmed the cannonade heard
in the ofing at Vigo was artillery prac-
tice.
Patrol the straits.
Gibraltar, Nov. British warships
strictly patroled the straits all night
long They intercepted the collier
London Bridge and brought her in
here at noon.
Mobilization Ended Oct. 30.
The preparations cause disquietude
CONTINUED on Page EIRht1