The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-10-26
MILDNESS
 IS OMINOUS, England's Note in Pes.est
 Terms. < NO REPORT FROM ADMIRAL His Delay Adds to Situations
 Seriousness. When British Demands are Made Known, 1t Is Believed That Their Granting Must Be Con-
 ceded at Once.

St. FeteEsDurB, OCL. Zv.-t6'O 'OVd' m. .)--vice Admiral Rojestvensky's reason for firing into the British fishing fleet remains as great a mys- tery as ever.
 At midnight the admiralty announce ed that no official report had been re- ceived. Meanwhile. without waiting for the Russian version of the affair, Emperor Nicholas. through Ambassa- dor Hardinge, has sent to King Edward and the British government a mes sage expressing the profoundest TO. gret for the unfortunate affair. coup- led with assurances that the families of the victims should receive the full lest reparation. Tke British govern- ment also shows moderation in the note which Sir Charles Hardiuge pre- scented to Foreign Minister LamsdorR this afternoon. While it awaits expla- nation for an act which 1t character izes in strong language as unjustifia- ble. unjust and urhuman. it makes no threats, fixes no time limit for rec sponse and contains no demands, the note specifically stating that Great Britain's demands are reserved pend- ing receipt of an explanation.
 Has OninOus Ring.
 The willingness of Great Britain to await the Russian explanation before formulating demands shows consider ation for the situation in which Rus sia has been placed by a deplorable blunder. At the same time this con- sideration has an ominous ring about it, only serving to emphasize the gravity of the situation.
 The language of tho note admits of no doubt that when the demands are intends to insist on full compliance with them. From a diplomatic view point. the very fact that Great Britain has not shown her hand strengthens her position.
 What the nature of the demands will be must necessarily be q matter of speculation until Admiral Rojest- vensky's report arrives, but if the im- portant allegation in the note is cs- tabllshed. namely, that the squadron actually changed formation before opening fire. it would seem to fix the responsibility upon Rojestvensky: aud whoever the author of the offense may be. 1t is regarded as certain that Great Britain will demand. among other things. his punishment.
 It is also considered certain that failure to promptly comply with the demands will be immediately followed by Ambassador Hardinge's recall.
 Nervousness Among Diplomats.
 AltHOuBh SOI1S ACINOuSHtSH IS DbE~ ceptible in diplomatic circles, gener- ally speaking. there is the greatest confidence both among diplomats and high officials of the government that the affair will be amIcably adjusted. It Is felt, indeed that the very gray ity of the situation may prove its sal vation by imposing the utmost caro and deliberation upon both sides. The Emperor's action this afternoon fore shadowed by the Associated Press dis patches Monday night following his in- terview with Count Lamsdorff is re- garded as an expression of his purpose to meet any reasonable demand of the British government and do everything possible to avoid cause of quarrel.
 It is known that the Emperor was greatly grieved and shocked when he heard the news at Cronstadt Monday afternoon. To member of the court. the Associated Press learns, he has al- ready expressed a determination to punish whoever Is responsible for the error.
 A tour of the Embassies and Lega- tions this afternoon showed that the sentiment was almost unanimous that Russia would make every reparation and that the incident would be adjust ed unless Great Britain's demands should be unreasonable, which it was not thought would be the case.
 Activity at Legations.
 Nevertheless, the greatest activity was manifested at all the legations. Dis patches were coming and going, and the Foreign Ofice was besieged with under secretaries and ministers, all eager for information. The scenes gave forcible reminder of those immediate ly preceding the severance of diplO- matic relations with Japan.
 At the Admiralty there were similar scenes of activity. The corridors were full of newspaper correspondents and naval attaches awaiting information re- gardIng Roiostvensky's report, but the Admiralty had nothing to offer in ex- planation of the extraordinary silence
 It fig felt that this delay Is one of the most serious features of the situ- ation.
 While the British note fixed no time limit for Russias reply. it is regarded that the protracted delay of the ad- mirals report will do more than any thing else to inhame British public opinion and render final adjustment difficult
 The admiralty still clings to the hope that the official report may place the atfair in a more favorable light though reIuctantIv the officials are disposed to admit that it may have been case of panic started by some nervous of- ficer.