Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-10-28

London, Oct. 2I.-One of the most
complicated diplomatic situations i'm
recent history, and one that is attend
ed with the most dangerous POSSIBLE
ties FOR the peace of the whole of Eu-
rope, exists. tonight, with no sign of
immediate solution. The tension that
arose when the dispute between Great
Britain and Russia resolved itself in
to the simple question whether Russia
would or would not guarantee in ad-
vance that some punishment should be
administered to the offending officers
OF the Baltic squadron has been mod-
fled by the introduction of an entirely
new set OF contentious contained i'm
Vice Admiral Rojestvensky's report
yet even the most aStute diplomat is
who recognize temporary improve
ment in conditions. are puzzled by the
complications that SO curiously cause
1t. However. there is. tonight, at the
embassies of powers, not concerned in
the dispute. a very strong conviction
that a way out will be found other than
recourse to war.
The foreign office, apparently as puZ-
zled as the on-lookers pursues the pol
ICY OF silence, and the British press is
almost totally uniformed. The VOL
luminous exchanges. daily occurring
between London and st. Petersburg
continue. the statement that no reply
from Russia has been received adding
to the Implication that Russia is in
tentionally ignoring the British repre-
sensations. 1t is this misconceptions
which is chiefly responsible for the
stirring up of popular agitation
against which the government may
find it hard to stand out in the possible
event of Foreign Minister Lansdowne
withdrawing the demand that Russia
guarantees punishment before inquiry
is instituted.
Had Admiral Roiestvensky's report
not arrived. it is probable the dispute
would have been settled one way or
the other. tonight. Its terms, however
are generally held to prevent the pre-
sen.atiOn of the ultimatum which
Great Britain undoubtedly intended to
send. Although Lord Lansdowne has
frankly said that the circumstances re-
ported by Admiral Rojestvensky are to
him inconvincable. the foreign minister
is not prevented from seeing that new
light has been thrown on the outrage
and that diplomatic usages now COM
pels less urgent action than the British
government at first contemplated.
in the present temper Of the British
nation it is not at all likely that pre-
parations for hostilities will be relax
cd. or that the popular cutlery will be
diminished by Admiral Rojestvensky's
report. but it is understood that Great
Britain would run the risk of forfeit
ing in some degree, the COOL will of
France. and certainly that of Germany,
If she proceeded to substitute warlika
for diplomatic steps of which inten-
ton. 60 it is stated at the Russian en-
bassy. tonight. there is no indication
in Lord Transformers communication
The altitude of France is held to
be of the highest Importance. 1t was
said. today. by the representative Of
another great power that if France
had given definite assurances that she
would not support Russia in the event
Of war growing out of the North sea
incident. q hostile issue would be al
most inevitable as the temptation to
crush the Russian naval power after
s,1ch nrovocation could scarcely have
beer reused Dy dTedt bIltdlii. III is
pointed out that it is greatly to
Frances interest to preserve peace. and
her efforts in that direction obviously
will be strengthened by not committing
herself except at the last moment.
So long as Great Britain is not sure
whether France will helr-Russia. she I,
will not be likely to engage i'm war i
while Russia, with France neutral. |
fould. so it is thought at most Of the /
embassies here, scarcely invite defeat |
The most probable solution of the rum
ors regarding Frances position is said 4
bv high authority to be that she !
has given both disputants to UNDER /
stand that she does not desire to be- /
come involved. but has reserved her
final decision.
Ambassador Cambon was unceasing- I
" active throughout The day not only |
In visiting Foreign Minister Lansdowne \
and Ambassador Benkendorff. but