The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-10-28

ported by Admiral Roiestvensky are
TO him inconceivable, the Foreign
Minister is not prevented from seeing
that new light has been thrown on
the outrage" and that diplomatic us
ua@e now compels less urgent action
than the British government at first
contemplated.
In the present temper OF the British
nation it is not at all likely that prep
arations for hostilities will be relaxed
or that the popular outcry will be
diminished by Admiral Roiestvensky's
torfeiting in some degree the good will
of France and certainly that of Ger
many if she proceeded to substitute
warlike for diplomatic steps. of which
intention, SO it is stated at the Russian
embass-- to-ni~ht there is no indica-
ton in Lord Lansdowne's communca-
ton
France Stands Between.
The attitude of France is held to
be of the highest Importance. 1t was
said to-day by the representative of
another great power that if France
had given definite assurances that she
would not support Russia in the event
of war GROWN out of the North Sea
incident, a hostile issue would be al
most inevitable as the temptation to
crush the Russian naval power after
such provocation could scarcely have
been refused by G~nat Britain. 1t
is pointed out that it is greatly to
Frances interest to preserve peace and
her efforts in that direction obviously
Will be strengthened by not commit
ting herself except at the last mo-
ment. SO long as Great Britain IS
not sure whether France will help
Russia she will not be likely to engage
in war; while Russia. with France
neutral would. so it is thought. at
most of he embassies here scarcefY
invite defeat. The most probable So
luton of the rumors regarding
Frances position is said by a high
authority to be that she has given
both disputants to understand that
she does not desire to become involv-
ed, but has reserved her final decision.
Amba assador Cambon. was unceas-
ngly active throughout the day. not
only in visiting foreign minister Lans-
downe and Ambassador BenckendorQ.
but other of his diplomatic colleag les.
The Views of Hayashi.
Baron Hayashi, the Japanese minis
ter, after readin1 Admiral Rojestven-
skv's report reiterated his statement
that it was impossible that any Janan-
ese torpedo boats could have been
where the Russian Admiral thought
them. He declared that Rojestven-
firing after such slight investigation
rroved that the Russian fleet was
likel to menace the safety of neutral
seas and make international law
merely a farce. War between Eng
land and Russia, Baron Hayashi
frankly admitted, would be greatly 10
Japan's advantage, ct as friend Of
Enpland ne would be sorry to see it
come, though such a war could hard
r. consist OF more than one naval en-
oagement, the result of which Wouia
be a foregone concluSio~
Exactly what method can be taken
to investigate Vice Admiral Rojestven-
sky's statement does not clearly ap-
pear. The Russian embassay here
can throw no light the alleged
presence of torpedo boats in the
North Sea, the British admiralty has
no information, and fresh inquiry
among the trawlers eiicits no new
facts. The Russian embassy thinks
that a further and more elaborate In
curry is proceeding at Vigo, where the
testimony of the officers of the partic-
mating in the affair is being minuteiy
recorded.