The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-10-28

. the orendinx oficers of the Baltic so,,adron. has been modified by the introduction of an entirely new set or contentions contained in Vice Admir- al Rojestvensky's report; yet even the n, ost astute diplomats, who recog- nize A temporary Improvement In con ditions, are puzzled by the complica- tions that so curiously cause 1t. However. there is tonight at the Em- tassies of Powers not concerned in the dispute, a very strong conviction 1 that way out will be found other than recourse to war.
 Foreign once PuszIed.
 The Foreign once apparently is as puzzled as the onlookers, and pursues \ the policy of silence, while the Brit ish press is almost totally uninformed. The voluminous exchanges daily oc- curing between London and St. Pet ersburg continue. the statement that no reply from Russia has been re- ceived adding to the implication that l Russia is Intentionally ignoring the British representations.
 It Is this misconception which is chiefly responsible for the stirring up of a popular agitation against which the government may find 1t hard to stand out in the possible l event OI EUFelSu NlnlSttT L<6uSuOWiiG withdrawing the demand that Russia guarantee punishment before inquiry is instituted. Had Admiral Rojestvensky's report not arrived, 1t is probable the dispute 1 would have been settled one way or l the other tonight. Its terms. howev- | CT. are generally held to prevent the presentation of the ultimatum which Great Britain undoubetediy intended to send Although Lord Lansdownc has frankly said that the circumstan- ces reported by Admiral Rojestvensl<y are to him fnconceivable. the foreign minister is not prevented from see- | ing that new light had beer. thrown | on tke "outrage" and that diplomatic l usage now compels less urgent action l than the British government as first contemplated.
 British Nation in Bad Temper. | In the present temper of the Brit | ish nation.t 1t is not at all likely the | preparations for hostiiities will be re- faxed or that the popular outcry will be diminished ny Admiral Rojestven- sky's report. but it is understood that Great Britain would run the risk of forfeiting n some degree the good will of France and certainly that of Germany if she proceeded to substi- tute warlike for diplomatic steps. of which no intention. so 1t Is stated, at the Russian Embassy tonight. there is no indication in Lord Lansdowne's 1 communication.
 The attitude of France Is held to be of the highest importance. It was said today by the representative of an- other great power that If France had given definite assurances that she would not support Russia in the event l 0f xUar erra 0f he NnPfh incident. a hostile issue would be al- 1 most inevitable, as the temptation to crush the Russian naval power after such provoeation could scarcely have been refused by Great Britain.
 It is pointed out that 1t Is greatly to Frances interest to preserve peace and her efforts in that direction obviously win be strengthened by not commit ting herself except at the last mo I nent. So long as Great Britain isBot \ cure whether France viii help Russia she will not be likely to engage in war; while with France neutral would so 1t is thought at most of the em- bassies here, Russia would scarcely invite defeat.
 The most probable. solution of the rumors regarding Frances position is said by high authority to be that she has given both disputants to un- derstand that she does not desire to become involved, but has reserved her final decision.
 Ambassador Cambon was unceasing- ly active throughout the day, not only in visiting Foreign Minister Ian E. downe and Ambassador Benckendorff but other of his diplomatic colleagues
 Baron Hayashi Talks.
 Baron Hayashi, the Japanese Minis. ter, after reading Admiral Rojestven. sky's report. again reiterated his state. ment that it was impossible that any Japanese torpedo boats could have been where the Russian admira thought them. He declared that Ro' jestvensky's own statement of indis terminate firing after such slight in vastigation proved that the Russian fleet was likely to menace the safet, of all neutral seas and make interna tional law merely farce.
 War between Ems Iand and Russia Baron Hayashi frankly admitted, woulS be greatly to Japan's advantage, yet as friend of England, he would b, sorry to see 1t come, though such war could hardly consist of more thai one naval engagement the result O which would be a foregone conclusion
 Exactly what method can be takel to investigate Vice-Admiral RoJestven sky's statements does not clearly ap pear. The Russian embassy here car throw no light upon the alleged pres ence of torpedo boats in the Nortl Sea, the British Admiralty has no in formation, and fresh inquiry anon, the trawlers elicits no new facts. Tn, Russian embassy thinks that the fur ther and more elaborate inquiry is pro ceeding at Vigo, where the testimon, of the officers participating in the af fair is being minutely recorded.
 No representations have been mad, either by the Japanese or by the Brit ish government regarding the actioI of the Spanish authorities in connec tion with the Baltic fleet, both govern
 ments being perfectly satisfied of tn, correctness of the Spanish attitude.
 So far as is known here, the Unite, States is not moving in the present dis pute, statements alleging expression of accord with the British attitude Q, the part of the United States being en
 phaticaIly denied by Secretary Whi \, in the absence of Ambassador Choate who is in the country.
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