The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-29
ENGLISH PREMIER GIVEN
GREAT DEMONS STRATION
Saws the Whole Affair VIII Be Re-
ferred to an international Com
mission for Final Set
Element.

mier Balfour addressed an immense meet
ing In Artillery hall tonight. Ills appear
ance on the platform was the signal for
great cheering. The Marquis of Win
chester presided.
Mr.. Balfour said:
"By no will of mine this great assem-
blage comedies with a moment OF ma
tional difficulty. Since the assembly was
arranged, events have happened which
have stirred to the depths every section
and every class of the community, every
subject of his majesty, and the conscience
of English-speaking peoples of the world,
as we'll as the general sentiments of
civilized Europe"
Continuing. Mr.. Balfour said he believ-
ed the lamentable and deploraole trag-
edy of October 21-22 would not end in
war.
The matter has been referred to an in
-=snational commission, and both sides
w9ald abide by the decision of the inter-
national commission, which would con-
slider all the questions at issue, thus war
between the two great nations would be
avoided without dlshonor. There would
also be board of inquiry with, he hoped
the assistance of representatives of the
Russian government. Consequently, so
far as he was able to see into the future.
the result would not be one Of those great
national struggles, which, though they
might occasionally be necessary, always
left behind a deplorable mark, and al
ways retarded the progress of human
ity and civilization.
Continuing, Mr.. Balfour said:
Could Not Have Been Hopeful.
'If this meeting had been held yester-
day evening, l would not have dared
preface my remarks in hopeful tone.
Everybody felt that If the trawler Incl
dent could be repeated, belligerent fleet
was indeed a pest against which all neu-
trail powers would be bound to combine.
The only version we had on Monday of
the lamentabe incidents of the previous
Friday was the version supplied us by
the trawlers. Thursday morning the stu
alton changed, because for the first time
we had the counter story supplied by the
Russian admiral. In the story of our fish
ermen, there is no tragedy, but l am
driven to the belief that there is much ro-
nance.
ut is impossible to doubt which is the
correct story. | should not have ap-
preached it but for the fact that the ad-
miral's story Is really an attack upon our
national honor, and implies that we are
not doing our duty as neutrals. In an
island kingdom like Great Britain the ma
tionality of every craft Is known. 1t is
inconceivable that we could be harbor-
ing Japanese steamers and warships
without Russia and indeed the whole CIV
ilized world knowing 1t. | enter a most
emphatic protest against such an allega-
ton. The truth will be made manifest
and as clear as noon day when the in
ouiry Is held which in a most states
manlike manner has been welcomed by
the czar. But in bare Justice to the czar
and the Russian government I will say
they never at any time underestimate
the gravity of the crisis or failed to dc
what they could to diminish 1t.
Make High Seas Dangerous.
1.-The Russian admiral however, has a
theory of the rights and duties of g
belligerent fleet as against neutrals which
really makes the high seas place OF
danger Suppose some day or night {
liner or transport fell in with the SECOND
Pacific fleet at Gibraltar when they had
intended to divide, and approached with
In the magic distance, according to the
admiraPs theory he would be justified
in sinking It, The position Is one i'm
possible for neutrals to tolerate. A flee
animated by that policy would be a flee
which would have to be eliminated out
AZ existence of civilized commerce was
to pursue its way unimpeded. | am glae
to think that this view of the Russian
government agrees and has given orders
which will prevent recurrence of Tho
tragedy that has Iilled our hearts witt
sorrow and the hearts of all those who
had heard of it abroad with something
approaching indignation"
Both Powers Want Peace.
Mr. Balfour thought 1t must be admit
ted that the Russian government hat
shown an enlightened desire that trutf
and Justice should prevail Only few
hours ago he should himself have taker
a very gloomy view of the possible,
of a satisfactory and peaceful soluti>l
He thought the emperor had shown him
self an enlightened judge of what was
right in the matter as between natior
and nation. The British government die
not ask of others anything 1t would no
gladly have granted II it had been in &
similar position. The government hat
no desire to take advantage of Russia's
difficulties to enforce its demands. i
| had appealed simply to justice and equity
| 10 principles which ought to govern II
the good relations between nations; ant
| II had not appealed in vain II nigh
| have been far otherwise. and that it wa!
| NOT was due In great measure to ths
| foresight and wisdom of the emperor
Tbe world has its eyes fcentered upor
one great. warlike tragedy in the fal
east. It would have been appalling. but !
was not at one moment impossible tina
that great worlds tragedy would hav'
been doubled.
Refined Sugar Advances.