New-York tribune., 1904-10-28

@N-~-~--
slsy's report. but it is understood that Great
britain would run the risk OF forfeitng In some
degree the GOODWILL OF France, and certainly
that OF Germany. II she proceeded TO SUBSTITUTE
wsrlike for diplomatic steps. Of which inteh-
sIon. SO q IS stated at the Russian Embassy
to-nirht, there is no indication in Lord Lans-
aowne's communication
ATTITUDE OF FRANCE.
IN. astitude OF France is held 10 Se Of the
highest Importance Il was said to-day by the
representative OF another great power that II
France had given definite assurances that she
would not support Russia in the event OF war
growing out OF the North Sea incident, hos
file issue would be almost inevitable ss the
,snp+.tion 20 crush the Russian naval power
.,.sr s,eh provocation could scarcely have been
rssusea nv Great Britain. Il IS pointed out that
!. a. greatly 10 Fr ance's interest 20 preserve
- ana her efforts in that direction OBJ
rso,,sl, win be strengthened by not committing
l,erself except at The last moment So long as
gsross Britain is not sure whether France will
l,clp Russia, she viii not be likely 20 engage In
urar while Russia. with France neutral, would.
=, 81 +bourht at most Of the embassies here.
.csroelv invite defeat. The most probable sOlu-
t,on OF the rumors regarding Frances position
q, sss6 bv a high authority to be that she has
,,,-,n toth disputants to understand that she
5oas not desire 10 become involved, but has re-
served her final decision.
Ambassador CambOn was increasingly active
,hrouQhout the day. not only in visiting For
eirn Minister Lansdowne and Ambassador
F3enckendorI hut other Of his diplomatic col
leagues.
Baron Hayashi, the Japanese Minister, after
reading Admiral Rojestvensky's report. again
reiterated his statement that it was impossible
that any japanese torpedo boats could have been
where the Russian admiral thought them. he
declared that Rojestvensky's own statement or
indiscriminate firing after such slight invest-
cation proved that the Russian feet was likely
to menace the safety of all neutral seas and
make international law merely a farce. War
between England and Russia, Baron Hayashl
frankly admitted. would be greatly 10 Japan's
advantage yet as a friend Of England ne
0ould be sorry TO see It come, though sueh
war could hardly consist Of more than one naval
arrangement the result Of which would be a
doreEone conclusion.
Exactly what method can he taken to in
ve.tigate Vice-Admiral Rojestvensky's state
unents does not clearly appear The Russian
Embassy here can throw light upon the al
leged presence OF torpedo boats in the North
Sea The British Admiralty has no !nforma-
ticn. and fresh inquiry among the traWlers
ellcits no new facts. The Russian Embassy
thinks that a further and more elaborate in
Enony OF the officers participating in the affair
is being ninutely recorded.
The apparent contradiction between state
menfs emanating from St Petersburg, and the
understanding here as 20 whether or not Great
Britain had demanded the punishment OF those
responsible for the North Sea affair, arises from
the fact that while. admittedly, no demands have
been submitted by Ambassador Hardinge in 81.
Petersburg, Foreign Minister Lansdowne. in
7,-efh HoSS
down propositions which to all intents and pur-
poses are just as much in the nature Of de-
nRnds as il they had been specifically formu-
lated but would become demands in the strict
ly diplomatic sense only when formulated and
presented
MAY CALL CABINET COUNCIL.
Premier Balfour. who spent ohe night as the
guest OF Lord Salisbury az Hatfield House. Hert-
fordshire. returned to The Foreign Office at noon
to-day. It Is now considered certain that the
Premier wiz summon a Cabinet council for noon
tomorrow. prior 10 his departure for Southamp-
ton, where there is reason 20 expect he win
either announce the substance of any settlement
arrived at with Russia, or. IN the absence Of
Eettlement, viii announce the nature Of the steps
TO be taken by the British government.
No representations have been made either by
The japanese the British government regard
ing the action of the Spanish authorities in con-
nection with the Baltic feet. poth governments
being perfectly satisfied OF the correctness OF
the Spanish attitude
So far is known here the United States is
not moving in the present dispute, statements
alleging expressions Of accord with the British
attitude on the part Of the United States being
emphatically denied by Mr. White. who is in
charge. in the absence Of Ambassador Choate,
who Is in the country
AR regards the British 6en,a nd For the Tun
ishment Of the Russian officers being an in
fringement Of Russia's sovereignty and rights,
Ambassador Benckendorf, in his interview with
LORD LansdOwne to-day. maintained that such
punishment must be taken the spontaneous
Initiative OF the Emperor's government and that
a demand from a foreign power that Russia
shall punish her officers cannot be entertained.
En any event. ii was impossible for the Russian
government TO mete out punishment without
having before IL statement OF facts as pre-
sented by its own officers. Count Benckendorf
also pointed out that the Emperors telegram
was regarded by ali Russians less as a personal
communication 20 King Edward than as an ex-
preston OF the sentiment OF the whole Russian
nation.
TO BAR RUSSIAN SQUADRON.
while no time limit for the receipt OF Russa's
reply has been fixed. it is generally understood
to-day that the route OF the Russian squadron
past Gibraltar viii be barred by the Channel
squadron, commanded by Vice-Admiral Lord
Charles Ber1sford
Ambassador Benckendorf paid another visit TO
Lord Lansdowne at about 3 o'clock this after
HcOn presumably 10 discuss Rojestvensky's re-
ptrt This caused considerable tewilderment
here, rs, while the statement that two tornedo
boats were among the ishing feet is generally
secuted. there IS beginning 10 be evidence o,
some disposition 10 believe in the ,,os~,ht,t.