New-York tribune., 1904-10-26
TIE NORTH SEA TRAGEDY.

Settlement Of the tragic incident in the North
Sea IS still deferred. 1t is unfortunate that
there has been even SO much delay. If it be
true that he gives twice who gives quickly.
equally true is il that that power atOnes most
fully for so hideous mistake which does so
most promptly. 1t was assumed by all the
world at the first news that the tragedy was
the result either of blundering or Of panic.
Most of all is it to the interest of Russia her
self to have that view prevail. But if it is to
prevail it is supremely desirable that there
shall he no temporizing or haggling over details
or waiting for other reports than the now un-
disputed news. IT must be obvious that delay
in reparatiOn or the manifestation OF any IN
clinati0n 10 avoid responsibility for the incl
dent will intensity indignation, and even per-
haps nurture the horrible suspiciOn-which
should be quite impOssible-thnt something
more than blundering or panic was at the bot
tom Of the deed.
If the Russian Admiralty insists upon await
ing a formal report from Admiral Rojestyen-
sky, it must be regretted that that commander
has gone on to Vigo. He must be aware Of
what his feet has done. In that case it would
seem that common humanity would dictate his
putting into the first available port, TO make
known his side Of the case. 1t would have
been much in his personal favor and would
have relieved materially the inevitable tension
of the situation had he halted his feet as soon
as his mistake was discovered and done all
in his power TO succor his victims. In failing
10 do so he created an unfortunate impression,
which must be much deepened by his failure
to touch at Cherbourg or Brest or elsewhere
and by his insistence upon going right on to
Vigo-as though the firing upon the peaceful
vessels Of a friendly power and the killing of
several innocent men were incidents of too
little importance 10 call for any modification Of
his sailing plans. Surely he does not wish TO
assume the attitude of Dirkovitch toward the
victim of that other mistake" Surely II should
be obvious him that even the few hours diff
ference in time between a call at Cherbourg
and his scheduled arrival at Vigo will in any
case make much difference in sentiment and
might be fraught with the gravest conse-
quenees. We must hope, however, that the
admirable self-control Of Great Britain will
triumph over e7en such needless and ineXplica-
bic prOvOcdtiOn.
It is impossible that such an incident should
not cause grave crisis. 1t is not necessary that
it should be a fatal crisis-fatal TO the peace
of Europe On the contrary, may cherish
degree of confidence that the peace will not
he broken. but that-thOugh she has already
forfeited the opportunity Of doing it with the
best grace-Russia will in some way and at
some time make some satisfactory atOnement
for the wrong her blundering or panic stricken
fleet has done we may trust Great Britain
10 see that that is done. She will not need, in
any event, the aid of any other naval power.
Should bad come to worse and worse to worst
she has ships enough in each OF the three
squadroDs right at hand TO deal effectively with
the whole Russian navy; and, barring them. she
has also enough ships to do so in the China
seas. Such contingencies are TO be thought Of,
however, only TO be denied. II would not be
easy for the British government to make too
1irm or too comprehensive a demand for IN
demnity and for assurances of future immunity
from sucl outrage. II is not conceivable that
Russia would refuse any reasonable demand