The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-25
LONDON MOB
 THE AMBASSADOR
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situation Is one in which, in the opinion of his majesty's government, does not brook delay"
 Meanwhile the conservative public and press are remarkably undemonstrative. As usual the jingo element demands war. and even in political quarters some go so far as to say that it may be necessary to stop the Pacific fleet pending settlement of the whole affair, though this extreme measure, it is believed, will not be neces- sary. Everywhere there is evidence of the 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 sufferers by what King Edward, In a message of sympathy to the Mayor of Hull, himself terms 'the unwar- ranted action" of the Baltic squadron commander.
 Message of Sympathy From King.
 The text of the kings message of sym pathy was as follows:
 From Francis Knollis.
 Buckingham Palace, October 24, 1904. ITO His Worship, the Mayor of Hull:
 ''The king commands me to say that he has heard with profound sorrow of the unwarrantable action which has been committed against the North Sea fish ing fleet, and asks you to express the deepest sympathy of the queen and his majesty with the families of those who have suffered from this most lamentable occurrence KNOLLIS"
 Francis knollis, Baron Favorsham is the private secretary of King Edward
 The deep resentment of the whole British public, however, is reflected by the incident at the Victoria station to- night on the arrival of Count Bencken- usl.. attempt anywhere among men responsi- ble to magnify tte occurrence into a de- liberate act of war; but in view of the present inability to find an explanation there IS being poured upon the heads of the officers of the squadron a flood of invective aai insinuation.
 incompetence Is Verdict.
 Thorough incompetence and complete panic is the most generally accepted ex- planation. Thus far no official word has been received from St. Petersburg as to the attitude of the Russian government The fact that it had been decided dur ing the day to prepare a semi-ofticial note expressing the regret of the Rls- sian government and its willingness to make full reparation so soon as the re- sponsibility is fixed, was communicated by the Associated Press to Lord Lans- downe and was the first information on the subject he had received from St. Pc tersburg
 The absence during the day of Count Benckeneorff, the Russian ambassador caused some delay but the Russian charge d'affaires called at the foreign office at the request of note by Lord Lansdown, unofficially, and expressed deep regret and as soon as 1t was pos sible for him to do, gave assurance or speedy action by the Russian govern ment
 Lord Lansdowne told M. Samsonoh the charge that he lesired to see Ambassador Peckendorff Tuesday morning. Lord Lansdowne asked M. Sansonoff if he could offer any explanation and the lat ter replied that he only knew what had appeared in the papers. and that he had not received word up to that time from St. Petersburg. Lord Lansdowne gave no suggestion as to what might be done in the matter.
 At the Russian embassy it was stated that the whole affair was so obviously a mistake, from whatever cause, that Rus sia's course was plainly indicated. name- ly, apology and ample compensation.
 Eyes on St. Petersburg.
 All eyes are now turned towards St. Petersburg awaiting word from the Rus sian government
 The actual casualties during the one sided bombardment off Dogger bank can be correctly stated since the arrival at