Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-11-01
DANGER Ct WAR
EXISTS NO MORE
ANGLo-RUssIAN DISPUTE is TO
BE ARBITRATED.
THE BASIS OF SETTLEMENT
international Commission to Fix Re
sponsibility for Baltic Fleets
Attack on the British
Trawlers.

u.
between Russia and Great Britain has
been averted, and the settlement OF
the only points in dispute regarding
the attack by the Russian second Pa
Cific squadron on British trawlers DC
tober 81 has been referred to an in
ternational commission under The
Hague convention.
Balfour Breaks Silence.
Premier Balfour, speaking at a
meeting of the national union of con-
sentative clubs at Southampton Fri
day night, broke that silence which
had been so long preserved and had
brought the people of the United
Kingdom to condition OF almost,
desperate irritation, and given rise to
misconceptions which Mr.. Balfour
himself exposed. "The Russian ann
bassador," said Mr. Balfour, has au-
thorized a statement to the following
effect: The Russian government, on
hearing of the North sea incident, at
once expressed its profound regret,
and also promised most liberal COM
rensation. The government has or
dered the detention at Vigo of that
part of the fleet which was concerned
in the incident, in order that the
naval authorities might ascertain
what officers were responsible for it;
that those officers and any material
witnesses would not proceed on the
voyage to the far east; that inquiry
would be instituted into the facts by
an international commission as pro-
viGed by The Hague convention. That,
Mr.. Balfour interpolated, had nothing
to do with arbitration. 1t was the
constitution of the international COM
mission in order to find out the facts
and any person found guilty would be
tried and punished adequately. The
Russian government undertook that
precautions would be taken to guard
against recurrence of such incidents,
Special instructions on this subject
would be issued.
Preliminary Inquiries.
Preliminary to this court, said Mr.,
Balfour, there would be the coroner's
inquest at. Hull over the dead fisher
men, board of trade inquiry and an
inquiry by Russian officials at Vigo.
The board of trade inquiry would be
specially constituted by the British
government to include representative
men. The Russian embassy had been
asked to send representative and
give assistance Apology and COM
pensation having already been offered
IN hut TO- n In
which account is correct, Rojestven
sky's or the trawlers. Mr.. Balfou1
plainly said that Thursday evening
Russia and Great Britain seemed to be
en- the brink Of war, and yet gave the
frankest praise to the attitude pre-
served throughout by the emperor
and Russian government.
Criticises Rojestvensky.
While the premier was unable tt
praise the pacific attitude of the gov.
eminent too highly, he bitterly as
sailed Rojestvensky's report, declaring
that it was an insult to Great Britain
as neutral nation, and ridiculed it.
probability.
The immense audience received Mr.
Balfour's announcement of the settle
ment of the affair with unbounded en-
tllusiasm, which was echoed through.
out the kingdom when the evening
extras appeared and set suspense a
rest.
An Eventful Day.
The day was an eventful one in the me
tropolis. The population, stirred b,
forinp headlines II, tho r,ory;pr :, a,r,
papers, seemed convinced that war wa
inevitable The cabinet meeting, which
was held at noon served to increas
rather than allay anxiety. Throughout
the country there had spread deep
rooted, though perfectly erroneous idea
that Great Britain had given Russia {
time limit in which to reply and Beres
ford, England's naval idol, was on tn,
spot. Many. indeed, thought it was onl,
question of hours when he would be de
molishing Russian ships. Without tn
least national desire for war, a grea
naval excitement has been worked ul
In the streets many expressions of dis
appointment might be heard because tn
crisis had not developed into hostilities
This merely voiced the opinion OF tn
thoughtless. which comprised consid
cradle section of the public. No furthe
difficulties are expected.
Foreign Minister Lansdowne and Am
bassador Benkendorff probably will b
eble to decide the constitution of tn
international committee and its date c
sitting. In view Of the circumstances
neither Japan nor Spain are likely to oh
ject to the temporary prolongation o
the stay of the section of the second Pa
cific squadron at Vigo, and the inquir