The sun., 1904-11-20
EUROPE EXPECTS PROSPERITY
NOW THAT RUSSIA AND ENGLAND
AREN'T GOING TO FIGHT. ..
British Public Accepting Even the Dip
lomatic Defeat in the North Sea
AFFAIR Calml.-Internal Reforms In
Russia Now Seem Likely to Come.
sp,et1l Cabs Despatch 10 TIE sun.

LONDON, Nov. 19.-The political clouds
have disappeared with wonderful rapidity
IN the past few days and Europe is rejoicing
in the belief that the conditions Of prosperity
which are almost everywhere evident will
row have an opportunity for general de-
velopment.
II is the common opinion that if further
COMPLICATIONS growing out Of the Far Eas-
tern conflict can be avoided, Europe and
America alike will enjoy in the next few
months a remarkable revival in nearly all
branches of trade and CONNER ce. Public
c,nfdence is so far restored that the gloom
,ast political forebodings have compare
t,velv small effectupon the markets and the
moment that pressure is removed prices on
su rhe tourses show the tendency OF
varltable boom.
The serious hitch which arose in oonnec-
ton with the North Sea negotiations caused
far less alarm than it's really critical nature
warranted Moreover, there was not the
revival OF national anger against Russia
which could have been expected English
rassion has cooled and there is no longer
real danger Of renewed war fever. what
ever may be the result Of the negotiations.
Erglishmen, in word, want TO devote
their attention to their ordinary affairs,
which, for the first time since the eve OF
the South African war. have taken pros
rerous turn Developments which are now
received complacently or with quiet
erowl would have forced the country into
war il they had arisen fortnight earlier
The public then consented to reco gnize the
North Sea incident as deplorable blunder,
but il naturally Inferred that 1t must be
considered culpable one and that the
detained officers would, so to speak, be IN
The position of defendants who would be
punished if found guilty.
It is now plain that such is far from the
case. The explanations Of how Lord Lans-
ciovre, the British Minister for Foreign
Affairs. was misled. either by mistrans-
lation or by assuming that the En- glish
draft Of the agreement to which Russia
had merely acceded in principle, was final,
have been received with undisguised scept-
cism The fastest form Of the modified
agreement as issued at St Petersburg reads
as follows
The commission shall determine whether
the persons who took part in the incident,
whatever their nationality deserve blame
In the event OF their being found responsible
for the incident
The Noroe Vremyd to-day expresses
approval Of what it calls the compromise,
declaring that Great Britain accepted the
Russian wording Of the second clause
Az smight be expected, British dissatisfac-
ton is proportiorate with the Russian
satisfaction. The argument put forward
by Russia, and tentatively even here by
those most ardent in their desire for peace,
that Admiral Rojestvensky only acted as
might have been expected, though the re-
suits are admittedly regretted, finds little
support. Why, it is argued, IL as alleged,
be was warned to expect torpedo attack
In the North Sea, did he take the best pos
sble means 70 deprive his feet of the power
to resist and repel such an attack by sending
his destroyers ahead and leaving his battle
ships unprotected?
Another Russian arg,lment-that their
Admiralty had reason TO believe japanese
destroyers were fitting out in the Norwegian
fords-is similarly repelled, for it is pointed
out that Norway is close at hand and there
would have been no difficulty in estab-
fishing the existence and location of such
vessels if they existed. Englshmen, in
fact, are sore in the belief that their Gov
ernment has been outwitted by Muscovite
and they will be forced to recon-
cile themselves to seeing the perpetrators
of the outrage go free, when vengeance on
en- individual or individuals was above all
TIE supreme desire.
Tie latest indications from Russia favor
TIE hope that there will be distinct change
in the internal policy towards liberalism,
FIR the present at least Several sharp
contrasts between PleAvesm and the atti-
tnde Of Prince Svatspolk Mirsky, the new
Minister Of the Interior are now visible.
r a correspondent of THE SUN at st Peters
burg telegraphs rs follows;
Public attention in Russia is absorbed
to an unprecedented degree by the pro-
oeedings of the opening to-day Of the first
Of semstro, or district assembly.
ever permitted. which will
consider the development of the local cleo
t We principle in the provincial governments
and the alteration of existing class laws Its
is TO take up the gradual improve
rlent OF domestic administration in continu-
alton Of tie policy which was defeated by
t . assassination Of the reforming Car
in 1851
The reactonarv measures introduced
~ NI'NNSS4NV -h!ilisltle elllSt Nlitll NtIH-
pcrary eXpedients, but which, however,
ave become permanent are regarded by
the conference as departures from the
I zar Alexanders intention. His system
will form the basis Of the consultations.
The purpose Of the gathering Ia to draw
'Ip advisory declarations which will be SUBJ
mitted 10 Prince Mirsky
There are seventy-five members Of the
conference The leading spirit il NJ.
Sch!poff, president Of the zemstvo OF Mos
cow Province. who is widely known for
his active antagonism to the policy of the
late VI, de Plehve. He had claimed the right
70 apply part Of the rates raised by the
7emstvo to the education Of the peasantry.
Because Of this action VI. de Plehve ordered
On inquiry to be made by one Of his func-
tonaries. The latter advised the removal
OF NJ. Schipof and this was about to be
done when NJ. de Plehve was killed NJ.
Schipof has since then acquired great infu-
ence among the parties who wish to wrest
part Of the control of domestic affairs from
the 81. Petersburg functionaries.
A sample of the proposals which the
zernstvos wish to indorse is shown by
those formulated by the Alexandrovsk
zenstvo. II claims. firstly. the return TO
the principle Of all classes being allowed to
-. - r.