The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-11-01
TALKS.
Russian Ambassador Greatly Pleased
at Latest Turn.

London, Oct. 28.-Ambassador Ben
kendorff, who has been working night
and day, tonight expressed the great
est pleasure i've the result, which he
regarded as honorable to both nations.
Until Premier Balfour spoke the am
bassador said he was bound to 81
lence and hence much transformation
has %pervaded the British press, which
had reiterated the statement that Rus
STA had given no reply to the British
note.
Only this morning, he said, the pla-
cards of the Times and the Daily
Telegraph had famed through Lon
don, "Still no reply" totally ignoring
the fact that the Russian govern
ment's reply had been announced. by
the Associated Press early in the
week, as was confirmed by Premier
Balfour last night. .
Were Close to War.
81 know, however; l could not help
knowing" said the ambassador, "that
there was a British fleet at Gibraltar.
If our fleet had left Vigo, it probably
would have been war;; but now all
there is we'll. There was only n
danger, namely, the excitement of pub
lie opinion" ~
B%alfour's Denunciation.
In view of Mr.. BalfOur's scathlng
denunciation of Admiral Rojestven-
sky, it is interesting to note that IN
the Russia view he could be in no way
held responsible, though he has gener-
ally assumed the responsibility. The
British public throughout the week
has been crying for Rojestvensky's
head; but Russia has firmly pointed
out, and Lord Lansdowne has acqul-
esced, that he is not n of those in
dividuals who could be described as
directly concerned in the firing on the
trawlers, being out of signal distance.
Punishment Of Officers.
"There never was" to quote Count
Benkendorff, amy question of apology
and compensation. These were freely
conceded, as announced by the Asso-
ciated Press early in the week. The
only approach to a hitch occurred In
connection with the question OF guar
antee of punishment. When those diff
ferences appeared acute, the whole
situation was changed by the appear
ance of Rojestvensky's report. That
was obviously made in good faith. 1t
is possible our admiral's sub~ordinates
made the mistake; neither he nor
they are infallible. That they made a
mistake in hitting trawlers is obvious;
that they were mistaken in believing
they saw torpedo boats remains to be
proved.
Refers to America.
"But if they are not infallible, how
much less so are tue fishermen? The
British government said it was i'm
possible for torpedo boats to be where
the Russians thought them to be. The
statements on both sides absolutely
confiicted, and so there was no other
way of determining that point than by
arbitration. AS a friend OF peace,
America will, I am sure, welcome that
decision, which was arrived at after
negotiations which in themselves
were of nothing but the friendliest
character"
Greatly Relieved.
The greatest relief was exhibited In
all diplomatic circles when the news
of the settlement arrived. AS has
been stated in these dispatches, the
best informed opinion never inclined
to the belief that war would ensue, in
spite of the enormous naval prepare
lions and the bellicose tendency OF
the press. The governments contin'
ued silence until now and the grave
aspect in which the affair was placed
before the British public are freely
attributed in some quarters to politi'
cal motives, the government desiring
to strengthen itself in the eyes OF
the public on the v of a general
| elactiOn.