The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-11-01
\ COMPLICATED SITUATION.
No Sign OF Immediate Solution. but
Diplomats Hope that n Way Out will
he Found, Rather i'm Recourse to
War.

London. october 27.-One of the most
complicated diplomatic situations in
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 or
immediate solution. The tension that
arose when the dispute between Great
Britain and Russia resolved itself into
the simple question whether Russia
would or would not guarantee in adj
vance that some punishment should
be administered to the offending officers
Of the Baltic squadron has been modi-
fed by the introduction of an entirely
new Set of contentious contained in
Vice Admiral Ro~jesvensky's report,
yet ever the most astute diplomats
who recognize a temporary improve
ment in conditions are puzzled by the
complications that so curiously cause
it. 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
in recourse to war.
The foreign office, apparently as puz-
zled as the ~on-lookers, pursues the poi
| icy of silence, and the British press is
almost totally uninformed. The VOL
| luminous daily occurring be-
| tween London and St. Petersburg con-
| tinue, the statement that no reply from
Russia a been received adding 10
the implication that Russia is inten-
tionally ignoring the British represen-
tatons. 1t is this misconception which
is chiefly responsible for the stirring up
of a popular agitation against which
the government may find it hard to
stand out on the possible event of for
eign Minister Lansdowne Withdrawing
the demand that Russia guarantee pun
ishment before inquiry is instituted.
Had Admiral R~ojesyensky'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-
sentation of the ultimatum which Great
Britain undoubtedly intended to n
Although lord Lansdowne has frank
ly said that the circumstances reported
by Admiral Rojensvensky are to him
i~nconceivable, the foreign minister is
not prevented from seeing that new.
light has been thrown on the out.
rage and that diplomatic usage q
compels less urgent action than tn
British government at first contem-
plated.
In the present temper of the British
nation it is not at all likely that prepa-
rations for hostilities will be relaxed
or that the popular cutlery will be di-
unfinished by Admiral Rojestvensky's
report. but it is understood that Great
Britain would run the risk of forfeit
ing in some degree the good will OF
France and certainly that of Germany
if she proceeded to substitute warlike
for diplomatic steps, of which intention,
so it is stated at the Russian embassy
tonight, there is no indication in Lord
LanSdowne's communication.
The attitude of France is held to be
of the highest Importance. 1t was said
today by the representative of anoth-
er great power that if France had Civ
en- definite assurances that she would
not support Russia in the event of war