The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-11-01
Sure Of Downing Rojest-
vensky, He's Happy.
NOW AS TO INQUIRY
London and St. Petersburg Are Talk
ina About Who Shall Compose
the Commission. Nothing Has
Been Decided Definitely. Bal
four is GoIfing.
(By the Associated Press.)

London, oct 29.-PrOfound salts
ment has been reached and the entire
certainty that the result of the COM
mission of inquiry will be to d1scredlt
Vice Admiral Rojestvensky's state
ments anent the presence of torpedo
boats among the North Sea fishing
fleet marks the comments of the Lon
don afternoon newspapers almost uni
yersally. The Admiral's story, it is
pointed out, has the great advantage
that it is capable of precise proof or
disproof. 1.-THE Russian admiral can
only make good his case by producing
the vessel whose presence he alleges
was among the traWlerS, says the
Westminster Gazette. This feeling
that the British contention will be up
held pervades all classes and disposeS
the public calmly to wait the verdict.
The composition of the internatlon-
al commission is the immediate sub
iect of communications passing be-
tween st. Petersburg and London. 1t
has been suggested that it shall be
comprised of five admirals, French,
Russian and English, and two from
smaller powers, possibly Denmark ana
Holland, to be nominated by their re-
spective governments. Nothing yet,
however, has definitely been decided.
No American member has been sug-
gested though there might be an open
ing therefor in the proposal that one
law iuriSt from neutral power Shall
be included in the commission.
Thus far, no time limit has been
fixed for the end of the inquiry. After
fuller communication with st. Peters
burg, it is now understood, upon the
conclusion of the inquiry now pro-
ceedng at Vigo all the Russian ships
will be allowed to proceed, only the
material witnesses being detained.
Board of Trade Inquiry.
The board of trade inquiry is likely
TO be opened at Hull early next week,
and will be presided over by naval
officer, probably Admiral Sir Cyprlan
Bridge, assisted by a leading lawyer,
the case being in charge OF the sollcl-
tor of the Board of Trade.
The inquiry will be confined to as
pertaining the circumstances from the
nshermen's point of view and assess
ing the damage.
The Russian embassy has not de-
cided whether to accept the govern
ment'S invitation to send Il represen-
tative. A report of the evidence will
be forwarded TO the IlIcFDdliOildl
Commission The board of trade in
quiry will express no opinion on the
action of the Russian squadron.
after the excitement of the last
few days a complete lull now pre-
walls i'm diplomatic circles.
Mr.. Balfour is playing golf
Lord LansdOWnc and Ambassador
Benckendorff today further discussed
the composition of the international
Commission, but no final decision was
reached. 1t is thought possible some
British naval officers may participate
i'm the inquiry going on at Vigo, SINH
lar to the courtesy being extended by
Great Britain as in it's offer to the
Russian embassy to send represen-
tative TO the inquiry at Hull.
The Foreign Office thoroughly
agrees with the Russian understand
ing as to the moral obligation to car
ry out the findings of the Interna-
tional Commission.
The admiralty today rescinded its
order stopping all naval leave, and
the Pail Mall Gazette says that ar
though all danger of war has passed
a great naval demonstration in the
nature of practice is being planned
as a sequel to the hostile mobilization.