The Savannah morning news., 1904-10-31
MINISTER Is
RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.
Instituted the Proceeding That Has
Assured Pence.

Instituted the Proceeding That Has
Assured Peace.
st. Petersburg, Oct. 3O.~-The world
will doubtless take particular salts
faction in according Emperor Nicholas,
to whose initiative The Hague conven-
ton owed its existence, the honor and
credit OF having proposed an honor
able solution of the North sea incl
dent which might have plunged Rus
STA and Great Britain into war. by
an appeal to its rules. Nevertheless,
the Associated Press learns on very
high authority that this diplomatic
triumph belongs to M. Delcasse, the
French foreign minister. When the
Yellow Book of France and the Blue
Book OF Great Britain covering this
incident are issued some very interest
Ing diplomatic history Will be dis
closed
The great gravity OF the situation.
especially in Great Britain. where the
infiamed state Of public opinion at any
moment might have driven the govern
ment to extreme measures and the
danger involved In delay were keenly
appreciated in the French capital.
Frances stake is almost equal to that
of the parties directly in interest and
the very peace of the republic was
involved, as n rupture bet tween Great
Britain and Russia, eventuating In
war by putting Great Britain and ia
pan In the position OF making COM
mon cause against Russia, would in
evitably result In an appeal to France
to fulfill her obligations under the
dual alliance.
M. Delcasse. therefore, at the very
outset, went earnestly to work as
friend of both countries to find an
equitable basis OF adjustment The
opportunity came when Admiral Ro-
jestvensky's report raised a direct is
sue Of fact. According to the Asso-
ciated Press informant, M. Delcasse
at once suggested an inquiry TO es-
tablish the fact through an lnterna-
tional commission under The Hague
convention, offering the suggestion
simultaneously to both governments
through Ambassador Cambon to For
eign Minister Lansdowne and through
Secretary Boutlron, in Ambassador
Bompard's absence, to Count Lams-
dorff.
The idea found instant favor both
here and In London, and Thursday
night the Russian and British propo-
sitions, identical In effect, actually
crossed each other on the way to the
respective capitals, There was. how
ever, this difference between them:
Lord Landowners instructions to
Ambassador Hardinge authorized him
to submit the proposition on behalf
Of the British government, whereas
Count Lamsdorff's instructions were
tentative and rather in the nature OF
a feeler, as Count Lamsdorff, although
he knew the Emperor was favorable
to the plan, had not yet secured the
absolute consent OF his majesty, to
whom he arranged to submit the mat
ter finally on Friday afternoon.
In the meantime. on Friday morn
Ing. the British proposition duly reach
ed the Russian Foreign Minister at
Tsarskoe selo. and Friday afternoon
the Emperor gave his hearty approval.
Tentative instructions had been cabled
to Ambassador Benkendorff at Lon
don the previous night. and, without
waiting to return 10 st. Petersburg,
Count Lamsdorff cabled Ambassador
Benkendorff specific authorization in
the name OF his majesty.
The British proposition. presented
earlier In the day. remained unan-
swered. Exactly what transpired in
London when Ambassador Benken-
dorff presented the Russian PROPOSE
ton In the name Of Emperor Nicholas
is not known. except that Foreign
Minister Lansdowne did not insist
upon the question Of precedence. APP
preciating. doubtless, that Russia be-
ing. figuratively, the offending party.
had the better right 10 offer TO SUBJ
NIT the determination Of the fact to
AN impartial tribunal The Emperor's
proposition, settling the matter in
principle, was therefore accepted,
and the same evening Count Benken-
dorff telegraphed Foreign Minister
I.amadOrff