THE BALTIC FLEET OUTRAG

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1136, 3 November 1904, Page 2

THE BALTIC FLEET OUTRAG

London, Nov. 2 ALTHOUGH the departure of the Russian fleet as in. accordance with Mr Balfour's speech, there is a strong feeling in London that the departure deprives the International Comuiis-1 sion of tho opportunity of calling as many eye-witnesses as may be necessary. Count Schoenbom's view that the Commission is entitled to hear the sailors independently of any particular witness tendered by the Russians Is emphasised; but a semi-official statement issued in London declares that the detention of the fleet was never contemplated when once Rus« j sia gave her pledge, and the suggesI tion would have been considered I unreasonable in the circumstances.

The statement adds that instead of showing increased gravity the situation is distinctly more re-assu-ring, 'v Lord Lansdowne has -announced that before the fleet left Vigo the admiral was instructed to prevent injury or inconvenience to neutrals during the voyage to the Par East. Four officers have been detained at Vigo in compliance with Russia's engagement. The two Governments are discussing the terms of referenci of the International Commission.

NEWSPAPER COMMENTS . Press Association.—Copyright London, Nov. 2 The Times urges that the, departure of the squadron restricts the witnesses- to four, which is not what the .British public expecfed. The paper continues: " The episode is likely to create in western countries the impression that Russia is not treating tho inquiry seriously, or that sho desires to prevent the full elucidation of the facts. Her promise to ttyto adequately punish the guilty implies that npon the Commission devolves the duty of apportioning the responsibility, and on' that distinct understanding alone the nation welcomed the Commission. Any attempt to evade it will be interpreted as an indication that Russia is temporising and deluding us by ambiguous assurances which she never intended to keep in the Bpirit in which they wero accepted. The meetings of the Cabinet and the movements of tho fleet should con vincehei that we are in deadly earnest, and that evasion or undue delay may be speedily followed by the most serious results."

Tho Standard, commenting on the danger of the &ame fleet that was in the North Sea continuing the voyage, says it is weakened only by the logs of-four somewhat unimportant personages, who will be watohed by an array of battleships and cruisers. A more accident night easily precipitate' 'a crisis, and great circumspec tion and self-control is needed on all hands to avoid disastrous episodes,

LONDON,' Nov. 2

The Express and Daily News are optimistic in reference to the situation.

Tho latter believes that there is growing evidence that somebody on the squad rati blundered and thatlthe, injury was accidental, though tho negligence was gross and culpable, The Telegraph suggests that Admiral Roshdostvonski's romancing is based on hearsay. He is known to Englishmen as an honourable sailor anil if personally responsible he would insist on stating his own case in person.

Tho Telegraph .refuses to beliove that the Czar will not fulfil his pledges, but says every day's delay iu redeeming them will increase the tension.

The Morning Post says the detention of part of the fleet implied somo kind of admission of wrong sailing under some admiral, and Mr Balfonr's approval removes the only element of reparation in the

Various British Opinions Preparations for Court of Inquiry Prim iiiociitioa.—o*Bjrli*t,

whole list of terms. ' Mr Balfour's chief preoccupation is to arcTcl' force, while the Czar's is to get the fleet out of danger. BRITISH NAVAL AND MILITARY PREPARATIONS THE MEDITERRANEAN FLEET IN CONSTANT READINESS NUMBERS FIFTY-VESSELS Press Association.—Copvrigut, London, Novomber 2 Ad urgent order hns been givon to the Woolwich nrseiml to manufaoturo 500 amour-plercing projeotilos for the new battleship Triumph. ' The lattor's arrival at Portland complotos the Homo Fled. The Irresistible and five destroyers have arrived at the Canaries, A cruiser and four destroyers at Gibraltar have sailed westward. Themilk of tho Channel Fleot afoat Gibraltar, The Mediterranean division is in constant readiness to sail. .' It includes 17 battleships/14 cruisers, and a flotilla of destroyers, and numbers fifty. A company of the garrison artillery has besD ordered to Sierra Leono, but romain 8 at Gibraltar for tho prscnt. THR APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONERS

EUSSIA'S FIRST SELECTION rrui JUioelitloß.~Ctpjriiht London, Nov. 2 The aocdrdance with Article 32, each party appoints two commissioners, who later chooso a fifth," Russia's first commissioner is Admiral Kaznakoff, who is described as a man of ripo judgment and great tact, BRITISH TROOPS UNDER ORDERS Prut lufinnuoi.-CoDyrtiM. London, Nov. 2 The War Office has ordered a draft of Royal Engineers at Aldershot to prepare for service in Gibraltar, and to embark within a fortnight, Drafts are preparing for Malta and Egypt, RUSSO-BRITISH COMMUNICATIONS GOVERNMENTS ACTIVE ftm luuoniktton.—Opyrtcht. London, Nov, 2 'The intorohange of oommunioationß botween the different Government officers and with St. Petersburg were frequent yesterday. It is semi-offioially stated that there is not sufficient reason for supposing that a serious hitch in the negotiations has ooourred. BRITISH ACTION UPHELD BY THE LIBERALS tttu .\uo«iiUou.--o«pjri|M. Londdon, Nov. 2 Mr. H. J, Gladstone, speaking at Newcastle, said that the whole of the Liberal party congratulated the Government in upholding the country's just olaima by committing tho matter to an international 'tribunal. ILLNESS OF BRIHSH PREMIER CONFINED TO HIS ROOM v frru AMnßini! SS ,_Oopjriihl. London, Nov. 2 Mr Balfour, owing to the irritation of a small vein, will keep to his room by the doctor's orders for a few days, Latkk The Cabinet Council to-day was held at Downingstreot owing to the Premier's indisposition, inßtoad of at tho Foreign Oflioe. KING CONFERS WITH RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR. GREAT ACTIVITY AT GIBRALTAR Ptiv"< Auneiation.—Copyright. London, Nov, 2. The King gave audienco to the Russian Ambassador in London, M. Becbendorff, for twenty minutes. M, Bochendorffhadanbounnd a-half's interviow with Lord Lausdowne on Monday night, revisiting him yesterday afternoon, Mr Balfour and. Lord Lansdowne conferred most of the day with Lord Belboroe and Admiral Fisher.

Prince Louis of Battenburg was present. Mf Arnold Foster, Secretary to the Admiralty, haa visited Lord Lansdowne. The official communique, while allaying the praaent excitement, is considered to be disappointing owing espeoially to the non- ■ detention of Admiral Bosbdestvenski, who is one of the chief witnesses. Tho officers detained to testify are Cap- m lain Plado, belonging to the flagship; Captain Otto, Lieut. Ellis, and a senior officer whoso name iB at present withheld. Two companies of the "Wariekahire Regimont ''are on duty at the commercial mole at Gibraltar. Waggons loaded with ammunition are frequently crossing the street, All the quiokfiring baltories have been manned. Tho searchlight stations have been strongly guarded. The warships petrolling tho straits elude the Boomerang and Bingftroooia t lato of the Australian station, THE FEELING IN LONDON. Press Asßociation. —Copyright. ; London, November 2, I London was nervous for several hours on Tuesday evening owing to misreading the Ijrms of Russia's assurance, find (here was surprise at tho mobilisation of the fleet and the Gibraltar garrison, creating the impression of an impending rupture. There is a general feeling of irritation at Admiral Roshdestveneki's departure. The Fall Mall Gazotte and St. James Gazßtto declare that the departure possibly complies with tho lette r if tho agreement, but does not accord with public expectations, and is not consequent OQ tho requirements of justice Russia has indemnified the owner of the Sontag for the loss of the trawlers and the oalch of fish, ACTIVITY AT GIBRALTAR. AN ORDER FOR INSTANT MOBILISATION. BRITISH WARSHIPS SHADOWING BALTIC FLEET Press Aisociation,—Copyright, Londor, Nov. 2 The Daily Mail's Gibraltar oorrespondontsayß that General Sir George S. White, Governor, has summoned tho generals Of , the brigades and the commanding oflkn to unite for instant mobilisation, which has been decided ou and will bo carried out with unjointed precision and rapidity. Admiral Beresford has conferred with \ the commanders of the fleelj aboard tho' Ceaser, ' r Tho Admiralty colliers proceeding to Malta have been interrupted and brough back to Gibraltar. The mobilisation is a continuance of las!' week's precautions, Admiral Walker's squadron, consisting of the Bacchante, Lancaster, Suffolk Doris, Hormoj, Endymion, and Thesius havo quitted Arosa Bay, in Spain, and ar following tho Russians. Admiral Roshdoslvonski is cxpeoted R Tangier.

NEW ZEALAND'S SYMPATHY During tho sitting of the House this morning tho Premier stated that tho Governor had received a c iblogratn from the British Government flunking Parliament for Mo sympathy expressed on behalf of; tho sufferers of the North Sea disaster, SIEGE OF PORT ARTHUR INCESSANT BOMBARDMENT DESPERATE RUSHES PrtM AnooliUoi,-OoD.TriglH. ' London, Nov. 2 Official advices received at Tokio state that the Japanese guns maintain aninoreas. ingly effootivo bombardment of Port Arthur's northerly and easterly forts. The infantry are advancing by desperate rushes, The engineers and sappers are running mines „up to tho Russian forts, The attack continues. The enemy has resorted to evoryinean 8 o obstruct their progress, assaulting and using bombs energetically. Tbo Russians are repairing the damage by planting sand-bags on the banquette destroyed earlier in tho bombardment, A CHANCE TO SURRENDER Prwi AunciatioD.-OopjrlgjA. London, Nov. Tho Daily Express states that two forks at tho extremity of tho tunnel undor Port Arthur, which #ill ba completed to-day, aro not to bo exploded till General Stoesßol has an opportunity of surrendering. General Scoessel's guns aro outranged