Little Falls herald., 1904-11-04
TWO COUNTIES AGREE TO SUB.
NIT NORTH SEA AFFAIR TO
A COMMISSION.
PREMIER BALFoUR OUTLINES
METHOD ADOPTED FOR SET.
TLING DISPUTE.
oPEAkS HIGHLY OF RUSSIAN At.
TITUDE BUT AssAlLs AD-
MlRAL'S REPORT,

rupture between Great Britain and
Russia has been averted and the set
tlement of the many points in dispute
regarding the attack by the Russian
Second Pacific squadron on the Brit
ish trawlers in the North sea, Oct. 21,
has been referred to arbitration of an
International commission. Mr.. Balfour
spoke Friday night at joint meeting
of Conservative clubs at Southampton,
where he broke the silence that had
long pervaded and had brought the
people of the United Kingdom to a
pitch Of desperation, and gave rise to
misconceptions, which Mr.. Balfour ex-
planned.
+'The Russian ambassador" said Mr..
Balfour, has authorized statement
to the following effect"
The Russian government, on learn
ing of the North sea incident, at once
expressed its profound regret and also
promised most liberal compensation.
The government has ordered the de-
tention at Vigo of that part of the
feet which was concerned in the incl
dent, in order that the naval authori-
ties nigh ascertain what officers were
responsible for it; that those officers
and any material witnesses would not
proceed on the voyage to the far East;
that inquiry would be instituted into
the facts by an international commits
sion, as provided by The Hague con-
VenliOn.
That, Mr.. Balfour interpolated, had
nothing to do with arbitration; it was
the constitution of an international
commission in order to find out the
facts and any person found guilty
would be tried and punished adequate
ly. The Russian government under
took that precaution would be taken
to guard against recurrence Of such
incidents. Special instructions on this
subject would be issued.
Two Distinct Inquiries.
Preliminary to this court, said Mr..
Balfour, there would be the c0rOner's
inquest at Hull over the dead fisher
men, board of trade inquiry and an
inquiry by Russian officials, at Vigo.
The board Of trade inquiry would be
specially constituted by the British
government to include representative
men. The Russian embassy has been
asked to send representative and
give assistance.
Apology and compensation having
already been offered, nothing remains
but to determine which account is
correct, Rojestvensky's or the trawlers.
Mr.. Balfour plainly said that Thurs.
day evening Russia and Great Britain
seemed to be on the brink of war, and
yet gave the frankest praise to the at
titude preserved throughout by the
emperor and Russian government
While the premier was unable to
praise the pacific attitude of the gov
ernment too highly, he bitterly as
sailed Rojestvensky's report, declar-
ing that it was an insult to Great
Britain as neutral nation, and ridi-
culed it's probability.
The immense audience received Mr..
Balfour's announcement Of the settle
ment of the affair with unbounded en-
thusiasm, which was echoed through
out the kingdom when the evening ex-
tras appeared and set suspense at rest.
In both Russia and Great Britain
the prevailing feeling is that of relief
that there no longer seems to be dan
ger of war between the nations.