New-York tribune., 1904-10-27
TENSION INCREASING.
British Officials. HOsceUer, Confident
of Agreement.

London Oct. 21.-At 3 O'Clock this morning
there is no indication as TO when Admiral Ro-
Jestvensky's report viii be made public but IL
unofficial reports should turn out TO reflect the
admiral's official statement it is evident the
Russian officers made an extraordinary blunder
IA mlstakins trawlers for torpedo boats and
nring on their phantom foes This astonishing
explanation is regarded here not fitting III with
the state OF panic suggested as having prevailed
among the officers Of the Baltic fleet: and In that
case. II is suggested. the Russian government
should find no difficulty in removing and punish
Ing the officers responsible
The newspapers this morning evince more heat
ana impatience than heretofore at Russias de-
lay which is considered absolutely indefenslble
In the present circumstances
Tension increases as time passes without a
definite settlement of the situation created by
the Russian blunder in the North Sea. Ambas
sador BenckendOrff's tentative communication
10 Lord Lansdowne to-day and the fact that
this was regarded as unsa atisfac Glory only served
10 inname the public mind. While official cir
cles are giving out intimations that il is their
cohndent belief the whole matter will be salts
factorily arranged. it is now evident that only a
snort time viii be allowed to Russia in which To
give ilnal and complete assurances Of her inten-
non TO comply with any and all demands Great
Britain may make within reason.
PROMPT MOVE EXPECTED
The arrival Of Admiral Rojestvensky at vigo
and the certainty that he is in direct communi-
cation with his government remove at once
the possibility OF any delay on account OF the
inability OF Russia to get his story of the 90
currerces OF the night of October 21 With this
official version before the Russian government
together with the official statement of the
members OF the fishing fleet It is unlikely that
the British public or the British government will
aliow another tWenry-fouT hours to pass quietly
without receiving a satisfactory reply to the
note. which demanded quick answer.
Meanwhile the Admiralty is not idle. Reports
from all naval stations show that a trer1endo,,e
state Of activity exists. This is especially true
OF Gibraltar, from which place it is announced
vessels are under orders TO proceed in the direc-
ton Of the Russian Baltic squadron, and that
all the ships Of the channel feet are ready to 60
TO sea at a moments notice.
Hitherto there has been no indication that
time limit had been set by Great Britain for
Russia's reply to her demands but the fact
that three battleships and three cruisers are
under orders for the morning Of October 2S IL
construed in some quarters TO mean that Great
Britain viii not wait longer than that date be-
fore unleashing her sea dogs, while it is also
evident that the Russian cruisers and smaller
Guilty In passing the gateway to the East unless
the crisis is completely over by the time they
reach the entrance to the Mediterranean.
HOPEFUL SIGNS OF AGREEMENT.
Information has reached The Associated Press
from an authoritative source which puts a
brighter light upon the situation. 1t is under
stood that practically everything has been set
tied to the satisfaction OF Count Lamsdorff the
Russian Foreign Minister except the question OF
the punishment Of the offending officers. 1t is
further understood that Great Britain is not
demanding final and formal written under
takings before announcing that she Is satisfied
but that undertaking in general terms the
part Of Russia will be accepted as sufficient
guarantee for an official announcement that the
crisis has passed.
The Colonial Secretary. Alfred LyttetOn
speaking at bennington tonight. said he had
no further information to disclose. but that he
had no doubt Russia would make full reparation
and punish the offenders.
Ali the public utterances Of ministers and In
huential men reflect the gravity of the situa-
ton but also confidence that Russia Will give
the required satisfaction. Premier Balfour will
make a speech at southampton on Friday, which
is awaited with intense interest. Lord Selborne
First Lord Of the Admiralty left London late
tonight for Portsmouth TO give his personal at
tention TO naval preparations there