Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1904-10-29
LONDON MUCH ASIONIHEQ.
MORNING PAPERS ROAST ZAR's
MEN FOR RECENT AcTpN.
Russians Displayed Heartlessess by
Sinking Helpless Fishing 5ets and
Leaving Victims to Shift I'd Them
selves-An Apology and generous
Compensation to Victims families.

selVes-An Apology and enerous
Compensation to Victims families.
| London, Oct. 25.-ForeignlM Minister
Lansdowne and M. Bencken orff, the
Russian ambassador were bth out OF
town Sunday and all the g6ernment
offices in London were close as usual
on Sunday, therefore no Official view
could be CLEANED of the firig by Rus
sian warships upon a Birth fishing
feet in the North Sea.
The first reports of tho affair re-
ceived in London were regarded as
almost incredible. When, however,
cumulative evidence no lnger left
doubt of the accuracy Of DE reports,
establishment became bewiherment as
to what possible motive Gould have
led Russian officers into sich an ex-
traordinary and inexplicabb course Of
action which, unless a satisfactory
explanation is immediateG forthcom-
ing, is to be regarded onf as an act
of war. This is the view editorially
by all the morning papers, The worst
feature of the story, as bewed here,
is the heartlessness disphyed by the
; Russian fleet in steamins away with
. out taking the trouble TO ascertain
even whether their fire had inflicted
any damage and without any effort to
rescue the victims.
While admitting the necessity of a
, suspension of Judgment pending in
vestigatiOn and explanation, the morn
ing newspapers are unanimous in de-
handing that the government instruct
Ambassador Hardinge to make the
strongest representatives to the st
Petersburg government and obtair
reparatiOn and apology ind assurances
: of the Russian fleets good behavior
for the future. 1t is held that the
e omission of the Russian feet to STAY
g its course down the channel to offe
any explanation makes the case lool
j exceedingly grave, and the only pos
= sible solution of the mystery that ha
:. been suggested is that excited by I'll
= mors recently spread of Japan's in
?, tentions on the Pacific squadron, il
S the event of it's sailing, the Russian
: gunners yielded to panic and suppose
II the trawlers' rockets were the signal
q of an enemy's haot---In Viaw- of th
e decision IN the Allanton case, it is re
garded as quite impossible that the s.
Petersburg authorities can be in an
way responsible for the incident.
>. Considering the circumstances
= the case the newspapers treat tn
matter with commendable calmnes
but are firm in demands for immt
: date satisfaction. The Chronicl
. says:
"The next "a hours must settle
one way or the other. Only two mode
= of settlement are possible. Either e.
= PLANTATION, apology and generous con
, pensation to the victims families Q
= an ultimatum."
: The Standard says:
can explanation should be prompt
and sternly demanded for the intoleI
able outrage. The Russian govern
= ment should be informed that it
expected to recall its i'll starred feet
first, in order that proper investigator
. may be had, and second, to keep
out of harms way for the future"
The shippers of the Moulmein an
, MinO, j. A. Smith and Solicitor Jacl
son, arrived in London at 8 o'cloc
this morning, but beyond confirmin
the previous story, they declined t
= say anything before consulting the al
thOrities.
Admiral Freemantle, in the cours
of an interview, said he was unable t
: believe that it was the Baltic flee
which fired on the Hull fishermen, bu
if so, he added, nothing but the mos
complete apology would be satisfaC
tory.
Sir Frederick Pollock, an authorit
on international law, said:
''If the facts are as stated, 1t is al
act of war. 1t must mean an ultimatun
or an apology within 48 hours or SO
1t will probably be found, however
that some Russian commander lost hi
head, suspecting Japanese designs
and that he will be cashiered and al
apology ordered"