The Saint Paul globe., 1904-11-01
CREDIT is GIVEN
TO M. DELCASSE
He Did Much to Avert Anglo Russian
War

ST, PETERSBURG. Oct 31.-The world
viii doubtless take particular satisfaction
IN according Emperor Nicholas. to whose
initiative The Hague convention owed its
existence, the honor and credit of having
proposed an honorable solution of the
North sea incident, which might have
plunged Russia and Great Britain into
war, by appeal to its rules. Nevertheless
the Associated Press learns on very high
authority that this diplomatic triumph be-
longs to III. Deicasse. the French foreign
When the yellow book of France and
the blue book of Great Britain covering
this incident are issued, some very inter-
ing diplomatic history will be dis
The great gravity of the situation. es-
pecially in Great Britain. where the in
hamed state of public opinion might have
driven the government at any moment to
extreme measures. and the danger in
VOWED In delay were keenly appreciated
in the French capital
Frances interest is almost as great as
that of the parties interested and the
breaking out of war between Great Brit
am and Russia. putting Japan and Great
Britain in the position of allies against
Russia, would eventually result IN the ap-
peal TO France to fulfill the provisions CT
the dual alliance
NJ. Delcasse therefore at the outset, as
the friend Of both countries. strove to
find an equitable basis of settlement salts
factory to both parties. The opportunity
came when Roiestyensiy's g report brought
UP direct issue of fact nj. Delcasse at
once suggested an inquiry according 70
the Associated Press informant to estab-
lish the facts through an international
commission under The Hague convention
offering the suggestion simultaneously to
both powers through Ambassador Cambon
10 tSo,.o,I.S, n9reign Minister Lansdowne; and
dor Bombard's absence to Count Lams-
dorff.
The offer was received with instant
favor. both here and in London, and on
Thursday night the Russian and British
propositions. indentical in effect. actually
crossed each other on the way to the re-
this difference between them:
Lord Lansdowne's instructions to Am
bassador Hardinge authorized him to sub
init the proposition on behalf of the Brit
lsh government, whereas Count Lams-
dorff's instructions We're tentative and
rather in the nature of a feeler. rs Count
Lamsdorff. although he knew the emperor
was favorable to the plan, had not vet
received the absolute consent of his ma
jesty. to whom he arranged to submit the
matter on Friday afternoon
In the meantime. on Friday morning. the
British proposition duly reached the Rus
sian foreign minister at Tsarskoe Selo
his hearty approval. Tentative instruc-
tions had been cabled to Ambassador Ben
kendorff at London the previous night
and without waiting TO return to ST
Petersburg. Count Lamsderff cabied Am
bassador Benkendorff specific authoriza-
ton in the name of his majesty as fol-
W
'In desire to bring everything that
| occurred in the North Sea into the clear
est light possible. our monarch considers
| IL benefcial to submit the affair to an IN
! ternational commission of inquiry on the
| basis OF The Hague convention for thor
! ough Investigation. Your excellency is
| directed by imperial command 10 propose
| this means of settlement of the question
to the British government"
The British proposition, presented ear
lier in the day, remained unanswered
Exactly what transpired in London when
Ambassador Benkendorff presented the
Russian proposition in the name of En-
peror Nicholas, is not known, except that
Foreign Minister Lansdowne did not insist
upon the question Of precedence appre-
ciating. doubtless that Russia, being fig
uratively the offending party. Lad the
better right to offer to sumbit the deter
mination OF the facts to an impartial
tribunal The emperor's proposition, set
ting the matter in principle. was there
fore accepted and the same evening Count
Benkendorff telegraphed Foreign Minister
Lamsdorff as follows:
81 have communicated your excellency's
telegram to Lord LansdoHne The British
government accepts the proposal to sub
nit the North Sea incident In all its ex-
tent to examination by an international
commission as provided for by The Hague
convention