The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-10-28
TERRIBLE BLUNDER
STRAINS RELATIONS
Situation Daes Not Brook Delay, Says
Great Britain to Russia.
DEMAND APOLOGY AND PREPARATION.
King Edward Terms the Baltic Fleets Attack
Upon British Fishing Vessels an Unwarrant'
able Action-Russian Officials Express WIZ
ingness to Make Full Reparation-The Czar
Expresses His Deep Regrets.

London (By Cable).-Great Brit
ain Monday sent long and urgent
note to the Russian government, Off
cially detailing the circumstances Of
the amazing and unexplained attack
by the Russian second Pacific squa-
dron during the night of October 81
on British boats in the North Sea
The text of the note has not been
given out, but it is officially stated
from the Foreign Office that it con
tains the significant announcement
that "thc situation is one which, in
the opinion of His Majcsty's govern
ment, does not brook delay"
Meanwhile the really conservative
public and press are remarkably un-
demonstrative. AS usual, the lingo
element demands war. and even in
official quarters some go so TAR as to
say that it may be necessary to stop
the Pacific fleet pending settlement
of the whole affair, though this cx-
IRENE measure, it is believed, will not
be necessary Everywhere there is
evidence of the very positive opinion
that this is no time for the usual dip
lomatic dilly-dallying; that there must
be no delay and no limit set by Rus
STA to her apology, or the extent OF
compensation for sufferers by what
King Edward himself terms 'the I'M
warrantable action" of the Baltic squa-
dron commanders.
The Kings Message.
The text of the Kings message OF
sympathy to the Mayor of Hull was
as follows:
From Francis Knollys,
Buckingham Palace, October "a, 1904
To His Worship the Mayor of Hull:
The King commands me to say that
he has heard with profound sorrow OF
the unwarrantable action which has
been committed against the North Sea
fishing feet, and asks you to express
the deepest sympathy of the Queen
and His Majesty with the families OF
those who have suffered from this
most lamentable occurrence.
(Signed) KNOLLYS,
Secretary.
The deep resentment of the whole
British public, however, is reflected by
an exciting incident at the Victoria Sta
ton on the arrival of Count Benken
dorff from the Continent.
Nearly Mobbed.
An angry crowd gathered at the
station, hooted at the Russian Ambas-
ofto,,aotaH ~ hraak n
windows of his carriage.
There is no attempt anywhere
among men Of responsibility to mag
nifty the occurrence into deliberate
act of war, but in view of the present
inability to find an explanation there
is being poured upon the heads of the
officers of the squadron a flood of in
yective and insinuation, though in
competence first and there thereafter
complete panic, is the most generally
accepted explanation Thus far no
official word has been received from
St. Petersburg as TO the attitude OF
the Russian government. The fact
that it had been decided during the
day to prepare a semiofhcial note ex-
pressing the regret of the Russian
government and its willingness to
make full reparation as soon as the
responsibility is, fixed.
Assurance of Speedy Action.
The, absence during the day OF
Count Benkendorff, the Russian am
bassador, necessarily caused some de-
lay, but the Russian charge d'affaires,
who called at the Foreign Office on
request by note from Lord Lans-
downe, unofficially expressed deep re-
greet, and. as far as it was possible
tor him to go, gave assurance OF
speedy action by the Russian govern
ment. Lord Lansdowne in this inter-
view told M. Sansonoff, the charge,
that he desired to see Ambassador
Benkendorff
Lord Lansdowne asked NJ. SAMSON
off if he could offer any explanation
of the affair, and the latter replied
that he only knew what had appeared
in the papers, and that he had not re-
ceived any word UP to that time from
St. Petersburg. Lord Lansdowne
gave no suggestion as to what might
be done in the matter.
AT the Russian Embassy it was
stated that "the whole affair was so
obviously a mistake, from whatever
cause, that Russia's course was plain
ly dictated, namely apology and am
pie compensation"
Earl Onslow, president of the Board
of Agriculture, speaking in Stirling
shire, said it would be well if ex-
plantations were not sought for this
Extraordinary incident" until the
country had some authentic informa-
ton. The whole affair. he said, SEEM
cd fIa ~, II