RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7944, 27 October 1904, Page 5

RUSSIA AND JAPAN.

On the Brink of War.

The Czar's Frail Apology

Russian Admiralty Ignorant.

Murderous Intention or Wicked

Negligence.

Concentrating British Fleets

The London Times Speaks •Out.

Ample Reparation or Fight.

(By, Electric Ttlegraph—CopyrigEt) (Per Press Association),

LONDON, Oct. 26. The cruiser Essex, passing the Baltic fleet on Sunday, was astonished to see

the Russians clearing for action. King Edward, proceeding to Newmarket, received a great ovation, owing to his strong message to the Mayor of Hull.

The Daily Express states the Admiralty is mobilising the naval reserve, and the Pacific squadron has been ordered to concentrate at Esquimalt.

Reuters correspondent at St. Petersburg reports that Count Lamsdorff, Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs, requested Sir C. Hardinge, secretary to the British Embassy, to convey to King Edward and Mr Balfour, the Czar's message, that while he was without news from the Admiral of the Baltic fleet he could only attribute the incident to a very regrettable misunderstanding.

The Czar expressed his sincere regret at the sad loss of life, and promised complete satisfaction to the Bufferers as soon as the circumstances are cleared up.

The Admiralty announces that the Mediterranean, Channel, and Home fleets have received preliminary orders for mutual support.and co-operation as a measure of precaution.

This is interpreted to mean a demonstration at Gibraltar.

The Mediterranean fleet has left Venice proceeding west.

The Home fleet left Cromarty suddenly under sealed orders.

Lord Selbourne, Secretary to the Admiralty, speaking at a dinner given to officers visiting the American fleet at Gravesend, said that if it were conceivable that Britain or America had committed such an inexcusable and terrible blunder, he was confident they would have immediately amply apologised and offered reparation.

Doubtless the' Czar of the Russian nation would feel the same.

Sir. C. Hardinge communicated to Count Lamsdorff the British official reports and the Government's views of the incident. Pending a reply, he reserves the presentation of the British demands for an apology, ample compensation, an enquiry, the pnnishment of the responsible officers and security against their repetition. ■ The Daily Telegraph's St. Petersburg correspondent states that Count Lamsdorff, after expressing to Hon. C. Hardinge his regret of the incident, though unable to pass any judgment himself, reported the matter to the Czar, who sent a message in no sense blaming his officers.

It is merely a feeble expression of regret and not a direct personal apology.

Admiral Rozhdestvensky wirelessly telegraphed the commander of a destroyer whan approaching Cherbourg to increase his vigilance and surveillance for the enemy. He also signalled the Channel Admiral.

The trawler's fleet is reporting to Lord Lansdowne. It supposes the Russians " mistook them for Japanese, or were getting their hands in." The Russian Admiralty state they have no knowledge of where 'the Baltic fleet is, and no means of communication. ;

The Times' special correspondent, after a minute examination of the injured vessels, and after questioning skippers, expressed the confident opinion that the outrage was deliberately perpetrated, with the knowledge that it was directed against English fishermen. The Hon. A. Lyttelton, Secretary to the Colonies, speaking at Leamington, declared the outrage was either the result of murderous intention or wicked negligence.

"While demanding prompt reparation, the Government gave the Russian Government credit for willingness to make a ready disavowal. The Times says the Czar's message does honor to his humanity, but would have been more gracious if sent a day earlier. It shows a very imperfect appreciation of the gravity of the case and apparently the grossness of the outrage is not appreciated at St. Petersburg. "If satisfactory and comprehensive reparation," continues the Times, "is not forthcoming very promptly, the nation will expect preliminary orders for the fleet to be followed, or others more specific, involving the stoppage of the Russians off Vigo or Gibraltar by the Channel Squadron. The pretence of Russian apologists that the fishermen neglected to obey a signal ordering them out of the path is untenable and implies that the Russians discarded the common rights of the ocean, and did deliberately what is charitably assumed they did in a fright."