The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-11-01
PREMIER BALFOUR ON
NORTH SEA INCIDENT
Russian Admira's Contention That He Faced Jap
anese Torpedo Boats is Pure Fancy.

LOHuOn, OCC. ZS.-lnere are eNl-
dences on all sides that neither the
British public nor the great majority
of government officials are highly elat-
ed over the manner in which the
war cloud has been removed. The
government press, mainly the Times,
is loud in praises of the result of the
negotiations between London and st.
Petersburg, but it is sare TO say that
public sentiment finds truer express
sion in the editorial columns OF papers
like the Standard, the Post and the
Chronicle II is plainly intimated that,
In their opinion, Great Britain was
caught bluiIing and, the bluff being
called by Russia, when she announced
her determination not to punish her
officers at the initiative of foreign
power, England backed down and ac-
cepted the czars suggestion of the
appointment of court of inquiry at
Vigo and a mixed tribunal at The
Hague.
Prime Minister Balfour's speech last
night at Southampton has raised a
very serious question. Following right
upon the announcement that Great
Britain would of course, abide by the
decision of the tribunal, he said that
there was but one side to the question
and but one true version of the North
sea outrage and went so far as TO say
Admiral Rojestvensky's story of q
Japanese attack was pure fancy II
1t is asked, Great Britain goes into
the meeting of the tribunal holding
the opinion expressed by her prime
minister, her submission to an ad'
verse decision will be equivalent to a
loss in prestige and the confounding
of her highest official. Worst of all,
grave doubts are being expressed as
to the outcome of the investigation.
The general opinion last night was
that Admiral Rojestvenskys report
did not correspond with the true facts
and that he knew this. This morning
many say that man of his sort will
not hesitate to give false testimony
The Standard processes profound
disappointment over the outcome of
sion lame and impotent and fears
that is does not greatly rebound to
the honor and dignity of the country
The Chronicle expresses doubt both
as to the wisdom of the arrangement
and as to the result of the inquiry
and the Post makes no secret of its
deep dissatisfaction bordering almost
on disgust.
| On the whole, however, press com
ment is favorable and the very fact
that war seemed so near appears to
| have inspired the newspapers with
gratitude for the men who averted II
| by agreeing on taking advantage OF
/ the opportunities offered by The
| Hague convention.
South Hampton, Oct 2S.-ln speech
more remarkable for its unofficial por
| tions than for the official announce
ment it contained Prime Minister Bal
/ four tonight made public the fact tha
| the North sea difficulty had been re-
ferred to an international tribunal. The
prime minister expressed the opinion
that. although the decision of the tri
bunal would be accepted, there was
but one side to the question and it wa:
! impossible to doubt which version wa!
the true one. Admiral Rojestvensky'
assertion that he found himself fac'
to face with japanese torpedo boats
Mr.. Balfour dismissed as pure fancy.
The speech was made before the con
| ti,,A N
called originally for the expression o.
far more peaceful purposes than it wa!
turned to, drew large assemblage o.
members and famous guests. Th'
prime minister was wildly cheered, fol
his firm stand so far in the Anglo
Russian imbroglio has been pleasan
disappointment to the people in genera
and q political revelation to his party
References made to the king by thu
speaker called forth an ovation sucl
as has seldom been heard in the meet
ing room of the association.
In making his announcement, Mr.
Balfour said that both nations would
abide by the decision by the tribunal
which in effect would be mixe'
commission or court of inquiry. Thu
members would sit at The Hague ant
there deliberations would be guide'
by the rules of The Hague conven
tion. In this manner, the prime min
lister continued. the conflict had en-
tered stage which justified the hop
of peaceful conclusion and, so ia
as one was able to see in the future
there would be no war. He would no