Evening journal., 1904-10-26
RUSSIA AWAITS REPORT
OF THE ADMIRAL, BUT
PROMISES REPARATION
lcontInu.a From FIrst 20

ST Petersburg. oct 26.-Vice Ad-
miral Rciostvensky's reasons for fir
ing into the British fishing feet re-
main as great a mystery as ever.
Again the admiralty announced that
the admira's report Of the affair had
not been received. Meantime, with.
out waiting the Russian version of the
affair Emperor Nicholas through Am.
bassador Hardinge. has sent TO King
Edward and the British government
message conveying an expression Of
the profopndest regret for the unfort
unate affair, coupled with assurance
that the families Of the victims shoull
receive the fullest roparation. Tie
British government also shows modge.
alton in the note which Sir Charlie
Hardinge presented TO Foreign Minis
ter Lamsdorff White it awaits ey
planation for an act which IS charsc-
terizes in strong language as unjust
liable deliberate and intuman, i'
makes no threats. fixes no time limit
for response, and contains TO de
mands. the aote specifically stating
that Great Britain's demcnds are re.
served panding receipt Of an explcna
ton.
The willingness OF Great Britain TO
await the Russian explanation before
formulating demands shows consider.
alton for the position In which Russia
had been placed by a doplorable blum
der. AZ the same time this consider
alton has an ominous ring about 70.
only serving to emphasize the gravity
Of the situation. the language OF the
note admitting of no doubt that when
the demands are ultimately presented
Great Britain intends to insist upon
full compliance with them. From the
diplomatic standpoint the very fact
that Great Britain has not shown her
hand strengthens her position. What
the natureof the demands will be must
necessarily be a matter OF speculation
until Admiral RojestvenslSy's report
arrives, but II the important allegation
in the note Is established, namely.
that the SQUADRON actually changed
formation before opening fire, II would
seem 20 FIX the responsibility upon
OF the offense may be, Il is regarded
as certain that Great Britain will de-
mand. among other things. his punish
ment. II Is also considered certain that
failure 10 promptly comply with the
demands viii be Immediately followed
by Ambassador Hardinge's recall
Although some nervousness is per
ceptble in diplomatic circles, gener-
ally speaking there is the greatest
confidence. both among diplomats and
high officials of the government that
the affair viii be amicably adjusted
tour OF the embassies and lega-
tons showed that the sentiment was
almost unanimous that Russia would
mako every roparation. and that the
laCldont would be adjusted. unless
Great Eritoln's demands should be un-
reasonable which &c was thought they
would not be. Nevertheless. tho great.
c-t activity was manifested at all the
legations Cipher dispatches were com
| ing and going ard the foreign Office
was hosiogcd by under secretaries and
minister's. all eager for Information
The scenes gave forcible reminder Of
those Immediately preceding the sew.
oranco OF diplomatic relations with
japan. At the admiralty there were
similar scenes of activity. The corri.
doris were full OF newspaper cores
pondents and naval attaches awaltins
information regarding Rojestvensky
report but the admiralty had nothing
TO offer IN explanation of the extra
ordinary silence. Il IS felt that this
delay is one OF the most serious fea'
lures Of the situation. While the
British note fixes no time limit FOR
Russia's reply. It is argued that the
protracted delay of the admiral's re
port will do more than anything else
70 infame British public opinion and
render final adjustment difficult.
j -