The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-10-25
Sends Urgent Note TO St. Petersburg
Containing Statement That Situa-
tion Must BE Promptly Met
Arriving Captain Says Admiral Of Fishing Boats Repeatedly Sig
nailed War Vessels Which Only increased Bombardment
--Russians Fired Italian Ambassador Says, Be.
cause They Feared Jap Attack.

London. Oct. 24.--Great Britain to-
day sent a long and urgent note 70 the
Russian government. officially detail
ing the circumstances OF the amazing
and unexplainable attack by the Rus
Sian squadron during the night Of Oc-
tober q on British fishing boats In
the North sea. The text Of the note
was not given out, but Il Is Officially
stated Il contains the significant an
nouncemcnt that the situation Is one
which, IN the opinion Of his majesty's
government does not brook delay.
Meanwhile the conservative public
and the press are remarkably unde-
monstrative. AS usual, the lingo ele-
ment demands war and even In official
quarters some go so far as 10 say that
Il may he necessary to stop the Pacific
fleet pending settlement OF the whole
affair. though this extreme measure. 1t
is believed, viii not be necessary. EN-
erywhere there IL evidence OF the very
positive opinion that this is no time
for the usual diplomatic dillydallying,
and that there must be no delay and
no limit set by Russia TO her apology
or extent 10 the compensation for the
sufferers by what King Edward hlm-
self terms "the unwarranted action" OF
the Baltic squadron's commanders.
The deep resentment Of the whole
British public, however, was reflected
by the incident at Victoria station to-
night on the arrival of Count Beck
endorff from the continent. There is
no attempt anywhere among men Of
responsibility to magnify the occur
renee into deliberate act of war;
but In view OF the present inability to
nEd an explanation there is being
poured upon the heads of the officers of
the squadron flood Of invectlve and
insinuatIon, though Incompetence first
and thereafter complete panic are
the most generally accepted explana-
tion.
No Word From St. Petersburg.
Thus far no official word has been
received from St Petersburg as to the
attitude of the Russian government,
The fact that IL had been decided dur,
ing the day to prepare semi official
note expressing the regret of the Rus
sian government and its willingness
to make reparation was communicated
by the Associated Press to Lord Lans-
downe. and this was the first infor-
nation on the subject received from
st. Petersburg The absence during
the day OF Count Beckendorff neces-
sarily caused some delay but the Rus
sian charge d'affalres, who called at
fhe foreign Office on request by note
from Lansdowne unoificially expressed
deep regret, and. as far as possible
for him to go, gave assurance of speedy
action on the part of the Russian gov
ernment. Lansdowne asked M. San
sonoff, the charge, If he could offer any
explanation of the affair, and the lat
ter replied that he knew only what APP
peared in the papers. Lansdowne gave
no suggestion as to what might be
done In the matter At the Russian
embassy II was stated that the whole
affair was so obviously mistake that
course was plainly Indicated
namely, apology and ample compen-
satlon."
All eyes are now turned toward st.
Petersburg awaiting word from the
Russian government
Story Of 5ombardment.
The casualties during the one-sided
bombardment off Dogger bank can be
correctly stated since the arrival at
London this evening Of the carrying
ship Swift, reporting the safety of the
missing trawlers Her captain says:
"The Russians gave not the slight
est warning prior to the commence
nent Of the firing. The admiral of the
fishing feet sent up a rocket OF warn
ing, and then the firing commenced
again. He sent up four green rockets.
but this only seemed to increase the
'eroclty of the bombardment The