The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-11-03
Misunderstood Moves at
vigo and Gibraltar.
THOUGHT WAR WAS ON
As a Matter OF Fact a Conference as
to Composition Of the lnternation-
al Commission is Progressing
Between the Governments
Representatives.
(By the Associated Press.)

by the Associated L 1851
London, Nov. Negotiations be-
tUeen Great Britain and Russia look
ing to a settlement of the North sea
affair are progressing favoraply ana
there is not the slightest danger OF
any friction arising between the two
governments. The examination OF the
international commission under the
Hague convention is on the verge OF
settlement.
In spite of these pacific conditions
Great Britain today experienced war
manic. Not for years have so many
aLlrlnist reports and flaming extras
flooded London The most eXtraordl-
nary feature of this scare is that
there was not one single circum-
stance to justify it. The excitement
started early in the day, when the
newspapers announced the departure
of the Russian Baltic squadron from
Vigo. The public were not in pos
session of the information cabled by
the Associated Press into the United
States that only the officers concerned
in the firing on the British trawlers
would be detached, and jumped at the
conclusion that Russia had broken
faith by not OBTAINING the vessels in
yolyed in the affair. On top of this
came wild reports of tremendous ac-
tivity at Gibraltar. Hour by hour the
news from Gibraltar became more
serious until at last the climax was
reached with the announcement that
the British fleet had cleared for ac-
ton. In huge type the papers MADE
the parallel statements the Russian
feet has sailed" the British fleet has
cleared for action" No newspaper
and no person seemed able TO explain
these events.
Wild RumOrS AfiOat.
The news from Gibraltar became
more and more alarmist. Ambassa-
dor Benckendorff was quietly discuss
ing with Foreign Minister Lansdowne
the personnel of the international
commission, but it was popularity ru-
mored that he was receiving an ult1-
matum. Premier Balfour, Admiral
Sir John Fisher Communicating Chief
at Portsmouth; Lord Selborne, First
Lord of the Admiralty and Prince
Louis, of Battenburg, Director of
Naval Intelligence, were all in con-
ference and it was openly limited that
they were planning the first stroke of
war. AS a matter of fact they, like
Lord Lansdowne, were engaged IN
considering names that had been sug-
gested for the international commits
sion. When all London was in this
state of mind the Foreign Office de-
cided to adopt a course most unusual
for ii, and in order to allay the pub
lie excitement gave out to the press
the following statement:
Before the Russian fleet left Vigo
instructions were given to the Rus
sian admiral with the view to pre-
venting injury or Inconvenience to
neutral shipping during the passage
of the Russian fleet to the Far East.
''In compliance with Russia's en-
gagement four Russian officers have
been left behind at Vigo.
'The two governments are now dis
cussng the terms with reference to
the international commission which
will be entrusted with the proposed
inquiry"
The Foreign Office is intensely IL
ritated at the construction placed
upon what they declare must have
been mere fleet and garrison affairs.
No Orders to the Fleet.
The Associated Press is authorized
to state that no orders have been given
the huge fleet now concentrated at
Gibraltar to make any preparations
i'm connection with the departure of
Admiral Rojestvensky's squadron.
Both the Russian Embassy and the
Foreign Office affirm that the nego-
tiatioIis today We're entirely confined
to the selection of the international
commission in which no hitch has
occurred
The admiralty late this evening re-
fused to discuss the reports of activity
at Gibraltar, but it is intimated that
the movements were part of a pre-
arranged plan rather than the result
of orders following the announcement
of the departure of the Russian squad
ron from VigO.
Ambassador Benckendorff had a
most cordial interview with the King
today who, it is understood expressed
for transmission to st. Petersburg
his satisfaction at the mehod of set
Ting the dispute.