The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-10-25
(By the Associated Press.)

London, Oct. 24.-Great Britain to-
day sent a long and urgent note to
the Russian government officially de-
failing the circumstances of the
amazing and unexplained attack by
the Russian second Pacific squadron
during the night of October II, OH
British fishing 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 THE situation is one which. in
the opinion of His Majesty's govern
meat does not brook delay"
Meanwhile the conservative public
and press are remarkably undemon-
strative. AS usual the jingo element
demands war and even in official
quarters some go so far as to say that
il may be necessary to stop the Pa
cifc fleet pending settlement OF the
whole affair. though this extreme
measure will not be necessary. Every
where there is evidences of the very
positive opinion that this is no time
for the usual diplomatic dilly-dallying,
that there must be no delay and no
limit set by Russia to her apology or
the extent OF compensation for suf-
ferers by what King Edward himself
terms "the unwarrantable action" of
the Russian commanders.
Foreign Secretary Lansdowne reach
ed London this afternoon, and after
gathering the latest details known at
the Foreign Office regarding the fir
ing on the British fishing boats by the
Russian squadron proceeded to Buck
ingham palace, where he had q
lengthy interview with King Edward
The latter telegraDhed message of
sympathy to the mayor of Hull, the
text of which is as follows:
buckingham Palace, Oct. "a, 1904.
ITO his Worship. the Mayor of Hull:
THE King commands me to say
that he has heard with profound sor-
row OF the unwarrantable action
which has been committed against
the North Sea fishing fleet, and asks
you to express the deepest sympathy
of the Queen and His Majesty with
the families Of those who have Suf-
fered from this most lamentable oc-
currence.
tSigned.) "KNOLLYS."
The deep resentment Of the whole
British republic, however, is reflected
by the incident at the Victoria Station
tonight on the arrival of Count Benck-
ehdorff from the continent. There is
10 attempt anywhere among men Of
responsibility to magnify the occur
renee into deliberate act of Wa:: but
in view Of the present inability TO find
al explanations theer is being poured
upon the heads of the officers of the
squadron a flood of invective and in
snuation, though Incompetence first
and thereafter complete panic is the
most generally accepted explanation.
Thus far no official word has been
received frcm st. Petersburg as to he
attitude of the Russian government.
The fact that it had been decided dur
luG the day to prepare a semi official
note expressing the regret of the Rus
sian government and its Willingness TO
make fuil repafation so soon as the re-
sponsibility is fixed was communicated
by the Associated Press to Lord Lans-
CoWne, and was the first information
on the subject he had received from
st. Petersburg. The absence during
the day of Count Benckendorff, the
RUSSIAN ambassador. necessarily caus-
cd some delay; but The Russian charge
d'ahalres who called at the Foreign
Off1ce on request by note from Lord
LansdoWne. unofhcially expressed deer
regret and as far as it was possible
Tor nm To go, gave assurances of
speedy action by the Russian govern
ment- Lofd I4anSdoWne iii this inter-
view told M. Sansonoff the charge,
that ne desired to see Ambassador
Eenckendorff Tuesday morning. Lord
Iansdowne asked NJ Sansonoff if he
could offer any explanation Of the af-
fair. and the latter replied that nc
only knew what had appeared i'm the
papers, and that he had not received
any word up To that time from II. Pc
tersburg Lord Lansdone gave no sug-
1i<rl@f
the matter.
At the Russian embassy it was stated
that 1.-The whole affair was SO obviously
Il mistake from whatever cause. that
Russla's course was plainly distated,