Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-10-29
NOT WAKLTKE.-
Washington Does Not Consider Situa.
tion as Very Critical,

Washington. Oct. 2S.-Diplomats in
Washington view the Russo British, sit
uatlon with unusual complacency even
| after reading the London dispa tcbes
telling of the extreme state OF nubI,c
| feeling there. Inquiry develops the fact
| that the chancellories Of Europe are
| not yet alarmed at the situation as
| the European ambassadors and minis
tiers at Washington are not receivinp
| advices OH the subject, with the excep-
tion' OF course of Count Cassini. the
Russian ambassador And even he has
not yet learned the official explanation
| of Rear Admiral Rojestvensky.
prominent member of the diploma
TIC corps said: "The British public Is
becoming angry at the delay OF the
russian commanders explanation, But
the British Foreign Office will scarcely
allow itself to be forced into rash ac-
ton by popular excitement. The Rus
sian government is aware of the ex-
citement in England and can be de-
pended upon to make all proper
amends. 1t is no more to be believed
that Russia will allow her internal
policy to be dictated by any foreign
power than it is that the London gov
eminent feels called upon at this time
to ask such dictation. If Rear Admiral
Rojestvensky is at fault Russia can
be depended upon to deal with him
justly without outside assistance"
1t is a rather peculiar fact. consider
ing the Importance Of this North sea
incident, that with the exception Of the
brief cabIegram from Spencer Eddy at
st. Petersburg confirming the report Of
the attack on the fishing feet. the State
Department has had no advice from
any of the foreign embassies and lega-
tins touching this subject Heretofore
the ambassadors and ministers have
been quick to report to the department
any developments at their respective
capitals that seemed to be really i'm
portant, hence the officials here draw
the conclusion that the prevailing be-
lief In European capitals is that there
is no actual danger of a breach be-
tween Russia and England at this mo-
ment. 1t is realized that the incident
has added largely to the load under
which the British people have been
staggering, beginning with the sinking
of the knight Commander and the
stoppage of mail steamers but It is
sum Tic DcliCi here tHdL UHe ftTIIISn
government will be able to control the
situation and prevent an eruption Of
public feeling that would sweep the
country into war.
An official here expresses opinion that
the plans so carefully formed for the
movements of the Baltic fleet must now
be completely revised as result OF the
firing on the fishermen. II the Russians
conceived that there was danger In the
North Sea. far removed from Japan.
then they must believe that the peril Is
far greater as their ships approach
Eastern waters, even the Mediterrane-
an being not too far distant from jap
an for naval operations. SO these night
alarms which caused the North Sea in
cident may be expected to increase in
frequency and consequently the risk to
neutral shipping will grow vastly
greater and the Russians will arrive
at a point where they must either risk
the loss Of their ships by refraining
from firing upon any suspicious craft
or they must so involve themselves
with neutral nations as to bring about
hostiities.
The only way out, In the opinion OF
this official, Is the withdrawal Of the
fleet and this may be done by Russia
without loss of honor in view Of the
international complications that have
resulted thus far. The abandonment Of
this enthusiasm might even make for
peace, the Russian government taking
the ground that while 1t was prepared
to fight Japan single-handed and free.
1t could not be expected to do 20 hamp-
cred by the powers in this fashion