The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-10-24
ACT or TAR.
British Press Unanimous for Demand
 Ing Immediate Explanation.

 British Press Unanimous for Demand
 Ing Immediate Explanation.
 London. Oct. 24-Foreign Minister Lansdowne and M.Benckdendorff, the Russian Ambassador, both were out of town yesterday and all the government offices in London were closed as usual on Sunday, and therefore no official view could be gleaned of the firing by Russian war vessels upon British fishing fleet in the North sea. The first reports of the affair received in Lon- don were regarded as almost ineredi- ble. When, however, cumulative evil dence no longer left doubt of the gem eral accuracy of the reports, astonish- ment became bewilderment aa to what possible motive could have led the Russian officers into such an extraor- dinary and inexplieable course of ae- tion, which, unless a satisfactory ex- planation is immediately forthcoming, could only be regarded as an act of war. This is the view taken editorially by all the morning papers. The worst feature of the story, as viewed here, is the heartIessness displayed by the Rus sian fleet in steaming away without taking the trouble to ascertain even whether their fire had inflicted any damage and without any effort to res- cue the victims.
 s'While admitting the necessity of a suspension of judgment for investiga- ton and explanation all the morning newspapers are unanimous in demand ing that the government instruct Am bassador Hardinge to make the strong est representations to the St. Peters burg government and obtain reparation and apology and assurances of the Russian Pacific fleets, good behavior in the future. It is held that the omis- sion of the Russian fleet to stay its course down the channel to offer any explanation makes the case look sex- ceedingly grave; and the only possible solution of the mystery that has been suggested is that, excited by rurnors recently spread of Japah's intentions on the Pacific squadron in the event Of it's sailing, the Russian gunners yielded to panic and supposed that the traWlers' rockets were the signals of an enemy's fleet. In view of the deei- sion in the Allanton case, it is regard ed as quite impossible that the St. Petersburg authorities can be in any way responsible for the incident,
 Considering the circumstances in the case, the newspapers treat the matterf with commendable calmness, but are firm in the demands for immediate sat isfaction.
 The Chronicle says: The next twen- ty-four hours must settle it one way or the other. Only two modes of settle ment are possible either explanation, apology and generous compensation to the victims families. or an ultimatum. z
 The Standard says: An explanation should be promptly and sterf1ly de- rnanded for the intolerable outrage. The Russian government should be in formed that it is expected to recall its iII-starred squadron first, in order that proper investigation may be held, and, second, to keep it out of harms way for the future.
 The shippers of the Moulnein and Mino, J. A. Smith and Solicitor Jack son, arrived in London at o'clock this morning, but beyond confirming the previous story they declined to say anything before consulting the author ities.
 Inquiries at Davenport last night showed that no special naval movement had been reported, and that Admiral Seymour had no official news of the outrage.
 | Admiral Fremantle, in the course of an interview, said he was unable to be- lieve that it could have been the Baltic fleet which fired on the Hull fishermen, but if so, he added, nothing but the most complete apology would be satis- factory.
 Sir Frederick Pollock, an authority on international law. said: If the facts are as stated 1t is an act of war. It must mean an ultimatum or an apology within forty-eight hours or so. It will probably be found, however, that some Russian commander lost his head, sus- pecting Japanese designs, and that he will be cashiered and an apology order al