The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-10-29
DANGER OF WAR NOW
 BELIEVED TO BE PAST

has been worked up. On the streets tonight many expressions of disap- pointment might be heard because the crisis had not developed into hostili- ties. This merely voiced the opinion of the thoughtiess which Comprised considerabie section of the public. No further difficulties are expected.
 Will Remain at vigo.
 Foreign Minister Lansdowne and Ambassador Benckendorff probably will be able to decide the constitution of the international commission and its date of sitting. In view of the cir cumstances, neither Japan nor Spain are likely to object to the temporary prolongation of the stay of the section of the second Pacific squadron at vigo and the inquiry will be expedited as much as possible.
 Ambassador Benckendorff, who had been working day and night expressed the greatest pleasure over the result. which he considered honorable to both nations. Until Premier Balfour spoke. the Ambassador said. he was bound to silence. and hence much misinformation had pervaded the British press which had reiterated the statement that Rus sia had given no reply to the British note. Only this morning. he said the placards of The Times and Daily Tele- graph had f1ared through London, still no Reply totally ignorant of the fact that the Russian Governments re- ply had been announced by the Asso- ciated Press early in the week as was confirmed by Premier Balfour tonight. While all this furore was going on. chiefly owing to the public belief that Russia had refused to apologize. dip lomatic negotiations had been proceed ing smoothly.
 On the authority of Count Bencken- dorff it can be stated that never at any time did Foreign Minister Lansdowne express the belief that a pacific settle ment was not attained or endeavor to secure a settlement by yelled menaces.
 The Fleet at Gibraltar.
 T know, however, could not help knowing" said the Ambassador, that there was a British fleet at Gibraltar. If our fleet had left vigo 1t would probably have been war. but now all is well. There is only one danger, namely, tte excitement of public opin- ion. To be precise, during the nego- tiations there were never demands on either side, but might have been given to the public earlier; but 1t was thought better to leave everything to MT. Balfour tonight"
 In view of Mir. Balfours scathing de- nunciation of Admiral Rojestvensky. 1t Is interesting to note that in the Rus sian view he could be in no way held responsible, though he has generously assumed the responsibility. i, The Brit ish public throughout the week has been crying for RoJestvensky's head: hut Russia has firmly pointed out and Lord Lansdowne has acauiesced. that he is not one of those individuals who could be described as directly con- cerned in the firing on the trawlers, be- ing out of signal distance.
 There never was,,' to again auote Count Benckendorff. ''any question of apology and compensation. These were freely conceded as announced bv the Associated Press early in the week. The only approach to a hitch occurred In question of guarantee of pun ishment. When those differences ap- peared acute the whole situation was changed by the appearance of Ro- jestvensky's report. That was oh viously made in good faith.
 Obviously . Mistake.
 It IS possible our admiraPs subordi- mates made the mistake; neither he nor they are infallible. That they made a mistake in hitting trawleps ia obvious; that they were mistaken in believing they saw torpedo boats re- mains to be proved. But if they are not infallible. how much less SO arc the fshermenf The British govern : ment said 1t was impossible for tor pedo boats to be where the Russians thought them to be. The statements on both sides absolutely conficted and so there was no other way of deter. mining that point than by arbitrat,op As friend of peace. America will. i am sure. welcome that decision which was arrived at after negotiations wnien Tn themselves were of nothing but the friendliest character 7"