The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-28
eaIfour to Make Speech.

London, October 2S.-While up to the
present time the government has main
tanned an almost complete silence with re-
gard to the progress of the affair, it is
regarded almost certain that Premier Bal
four, who will make a speech at Ports
mouth tonight, WILL after a conference
with the entire cabinet, be in a position
to make some definite announcement.
Public sentiment which hitherto has been
kept under remarkable control, will hard
ly stand the passing of another day, es-
pecially because of the opportunity af-
forded by Mr.. Balfour's appearance on
the platform, unless some satisfactory ex-
PLANTATION Is made.
1t might be said that yesterday was the
first time that any real excitement was
exhibited on the part of the public. Early
editions of the afternoon papers calcu-
lated to arouse the most intense national
feeling, positively announced that time
limit had been set for Russia's reply, and
that the cabinet had been called to assem-
BILE this morning. This brought out a
crowd in Downing street, but 1t quickly
dispersed when informed that Mr. Bal
four had not arrived from Hatfield house,
culated to infame instead of allay
ahead of time
Report Stageers Everyone.
Admiral Rojestvenskys report seemed
to stagger almost every one. Its state
ments We're received with incredulity, and
evidently the reply was regarded as mere
ly an adroit counter in order to gain
time. The text of the admiral's telegram
received at a late hour last night, is cal
culated to influence instead of allaying
the resentment of the British public.
His statement that he "endeavored to
spare the trawlers, and ceased to fire as
soon as the torpedo boats were out of
sight" together with the virtual accusa-
tion of completely with supposed Japanese
torpedo boats against the fishermen, is
hardly likely to reconcile an angry nation
to the possibility that there is another
side to the case calling for investiga-
ton.
Do Not Credit Admiral's Story.
How much longer?" is the burden of
the newspaper editorial articles this morn
ing Commenting upon the continued de-
lay of the Russian government and what
is characterized as the amazing story
Admiral Rojestvensky presents in defense
of his action. little disposition is displayed
to listen for a moment seriosly to the
admiral's story. Some st. Petersburg
special correspondents even go so far as
to suggest the explanation is home man.
ufactured." The more serious of the morn
ing papers confess that the country is
under shadow of war. and the word Is
now with Russia. The Standard edito-
rally describes Rojestvensky's whole
story as the creation of a disordered i'm
agination. bearing its REPUTATION on it's
face. and says: For Russia to enter
into a controversy with England on the
basis of such a tissue of misstatements,
can only lead to trouble
The Daily Telegraph says; IF the ad-
miral believes his own story, all that can
DE said is that the sooner he returns home
and is looked after, the better 1t will
be for himself his family and his coun-
try"
These extracts well represent the opin-
ion of the country and press. The fact
that the Baltic squadron appears to have
fired on vessels of various nationaities
is regarded IS proving that its officers
were in a condition of nervous panic, rem