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Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 105, 31 October 1904, Page 5

THE CRISIS OVER.

BALTIC FLEET'S OUTRAGE AT DOGGER BANK. I AN (XFEICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. I IMPORTANT ADDRESS BY THE PRIME ! MINISTER. i COMMENTS ON THE POSITION. RUSSIAN FLEET TO REMAIN AT VIGO. [By Ei/ECTRia Telegraph— -Coptbight — Pbess Association. 1

LONDON, 29th October. The Prime Minister, the Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, has announced that the crisis regarding the attack on the British trawlers by the Russian Baltic Fleet on the Dogger Bank is [ over. Britain and Russia have agreed to submit the matter to an International Commission under The Hague Tribunal. Meanwhile that portion of the Baltic Fleet concerned in the outrage is to remain at Vigo, Spain. SPEECH BY MR. BALFOUR , THE LAMENTABLE TRAGEDY. BRITAIN'S FIRM PROTEST. LONDON, 29th October The Prime Minister, the Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, addressed a great mass meeting at Southampton. He said he believed the recent lamentable tragedy in the i>Jorth Sea would not lead to war, but belligerents must never be allowed to forget their duties towards neutrals. The liussian Admiral's version of the affair contained much romance, and was equivalent to an ATTACK ON OUR NATIONAL HONOUR as neutrals. He promised liberal compensation to those who had suffered by the attack. That part of the Baltic Fleet concerned in the incident would be detained at Vigo, in order that the naval authorities might ascertain what officers were responsible. Therefore, these and any material witnesses would not accompany the fleet to the Far East. Mr. Balfour proceeded: "Britain and Russia have agreed to refer the matter to an International Commission under The Hague Tribunal." In reference to the presence of Japanese torpedo boats, he might mention that they were phantom ships, and creatures of pure fancy. "Against the Admiral's statement I enter a most emphatic protest." There would be three enquiries — a Coroner's inquest, a Board of Trade enquiry, and the International Court. TERMS OF SETTLEMENT. Mr. Balfour added that Count Benckendorff, Russian Minister in London, had authorised the announcement that Russia expressed profound regret on discovery of the facts. Any person found guilty by this tribunal will be thereafter tried and punished adequately. Guarantees had now been given against a recurrence of such incidents. The speaker met with a tremendous ovation when he announced that the prospects of settlement were wholly favourable, though he said it was impossible to make such a statement the previous evening. Till Monday last neutrals never dreamt they were liable to attack -while engaged in peaceful avocations under circumstances rendering resistance impossible. It would be ludicrous if such incidents were possible, and under such circumstances a belligerent fleet was a pest against which all neutrals were bound to combine. CONFLICTING STATEMENTS. While the norrified and startled fishermen bore the news of the tragedy to Hull, continued Mr. Balfour, the Russians went on silently and without sign. Four days later the Admiral's version was received. The fishermen's statement contained much tragedy and no romance. Though two versions had. been given, •which were absolutely contradictory, it was impossible to doubt which was substantially correct. The matter being under enquiry, ho would not in ordinary circumstances attempt to cause prejudice, only the Admiral had attacked the national honour, implying that Britain was not doing her duty as a neutral, though really she was scrupulously performing it. THOSE PHANTOM SHIPS. Speaking with intense feeling and merciless irony, Mr. Balfour recounted the conflicting stories. The Admiral had claimed' to have sunk one torpedo boat and injured another. What had become of the latter? By what prevision could a hostile torpedo boat know that the Russians would go thirty miles out of their course? When their own regulations indicated that the Dogger Bank was crowded by fishermen of all nationalities, was it possible the Japanese would lie in wait at such a spot, where publicity was inevitable? "1 publicly express my disbelief in these phantom ships," said Mr. Balfour, "because experts allege that the nearest Japanese warships were' fourteen thousand miles away ; also because if torpedo boats were in the North Sea the Russian Admiral believes we were providing them with a base — unless he suspects France or Holland. That is a pare fancy, necessitating emphatic protest." A DANGER TO NEUTRALS. iAs soon as the tragedy was known, continued the Premier, Russia expressed deep regret, and promised compensation, aid indicated that any wrongdoer ought to be punished. A special difficulty arose in. the fact that the witnesses were vanishing from Europe, and would soon be beyond the control of national or international Courts. That, however, was overcome. Then another arose, the AdI ,airal apparently holding the theory that [ the rights and duties of a belligerent fleet made the high seas a place of public danger to peaceful neutrals. Mr. Balfour declared that any fleet animated by such, policy ought to be hunted out of existence if civilised commerce was to be I ible to pursue its way unimpeded. He praised the far-sighted wisdom of the Tsar. After days of deep anxiety, when the Government had nearly contemplated the extreme policy of war, he (the speaker) was glad to announce the prospect of a settlement of all differences on terms alike honourable to both parties. If the .'international enquiry showed very heavy , blame, those responsible would be duly punished. " The British demands did not go beyond what the highest international morality demanded. If the Government had asked less their countrymen might have complained that their honour was L aot safe in, the Gpverflment'e handj X

EFFECT OF THE ANNOUNCEWENT. SATISFACTION EXPRESSED. BRITAIN'S MODERATION. LONDON, 29th October. Imperial Consols, which had fallen to £87 10s on Thursday, are now quoted at £87 17s 6d. The agreement with Russia pending a final settlement of the difficulty has given lively satisfaction in Hull. The Standard's New York and Paris correspondents show that the credit c/ the solution is to be attributed largely to King Edward's influence, firmness, and tact in placing law above arms, and his consciousness of the justice of the cause. German opinion eulogises Britain's moderation, and her attitude of calm confidence. The Standard nevertheless declares that the compromise is profoundly disappointing, and protests vehemently against "a* justly aggrieved party and an aggressor going to an international, and mainly a foreign, tribunal on a footing of equality. The puishment of the guilty in any case would be doubtful and slow. The Tsar had given instructions to prevent catastrophes, but incompetent navigators were not controllable a thousand miles distant. " The Times says Mr. Balfour's announcement will be received by the whole Empire and by the civilised world with deep and earnest approval. The Daily News and Daily Telegraph are equally congratulatory. THE DISPERSAL OF THE BLACK CLOUD. STATEMENT BY LORD ROSEBERY. (Received October 31, 8.29 a.m.) LONDON, 30th October. Lord Rosebery, speaking at Trowbridge, congratulated the King, Government, and country upon the dispersion of the black cloud resting above the peace of the world. Personally, he said, he hart not believed that war would eventuate from so one-sided a controversy, but the madness of frenzy of nations was incalculable. With nations the task of apology and reparation was slow, and there would be no adequate security for the peace of the world until the same code of honour prevailed in public as in private life, and Governments were not ashamed to acknowledge a wrong with the prompt spontaneity of gentlemen. The resolution moved in the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth by Mr. Reid, the Premier, and seconded by Mr. Watson, Leader of the Laoour Party, was, said Lord Rosebery, typical of me message of equal fervour which would have been received from Canada and South Africa had their Parliaments been sitting, and was proof of what a clear, spontaneous loyalty was possible under thou present Constitution. AN OUTBURST AGAINST ENGLAND. "EXCESSIVE BLUSTERING." THE FEELING IN ST. PETERSBURG. (Received October 31, 5.55 a.m.) LONDON, 30th October. Admiral Rozhdestvensky's report was received in St. Petersburg with a chorus of approval, mingled with an outburst of abuse against England. It is popularly considered that excessive blustering, the British Government has practically submitted to Russia's wishes. High officials consider that Britain scores by detaining the fleet at Vigo. It is generally thought in America and on the Continent that Britain has treated Russia generously. MORE ABOUT TORPEDO BOATB INTERVIEW WITH THE RUSSIAN ADMIRAL. (Received October 31, 8.55 a.m.) LONDON, 30th October. Interviewed by the Chronicle's Vigp representative, Almiral Rozhdestvensky states that the bruiser Aurora saw two torpedo boats approaching the Baltic Fleet at fufi" speed. He turned the search lights on, ana then noticed two floating mines close by. An order to fire was given, and one torpedo boat was sunk. The Admiral added that he knew a secret alliance existed between Japan and Britain, and there were a thousand reasons for the conflict. Personally he was disposed to lay down the life of the fleet, and did not heed the number of opponents. French merchantmen off Cies Island are reported to have submarine mines aboard. RUSSIAN STORY RIDICULED. LONDON, 29th October. It is officially declared in Tokio that Japan neither purchased nor ordered a single torpedo boat in England during the war. The presence of Japanese torpedo boats among .the fishing fleet at Dogger Bank is denied and ridiculed. THE BALTIC FLEET. ANCHORED OFF VIGO. LONDON, 30th October. It is officially announced that Russia requested permission for her warships now anchored off Vigo to remain until the enquiry has ended. The Spanish authorities, after consultation with representatives of foreign Powers, approved this course. BRITAIN'S PRECAUTIONS. LONDON, 30th October. The entrances to Gibraltar are closed nightly by boom defences. A hundred and ten torpedo boats were ordered on Thursday to assemble at Portland Isle (Dorsetshire) and Gibraltar. ' MOVEMENTS OF BRITISH WARSHIPS. (Received October 31, 8.33 a,m.) LONDON, 30th October. The cruiser Doris (5600 tons, ig£

knots) has sailed from Gibraltar for Laracho (Morocco). The Lancaster (10,700 tons, 22^ knots) arrived at Vigo under full speed. Thb commander interviewed Admiral Rozhdestvensky and the Spanish authorities. The Lancaster is now patrolling the entrance to the harbour. Five British warships are outside Cies Island. RUSSIAN WARSHIPS AT TANGIER. (Received October 31, 9.24 a.m.) LONDON, 30th October. Six Russian battleships and cruisers, seven torpedo boats, and four colliers have arrived at Tangier.