THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, OCTOBERS 27, 1904. IS THERE TO BE WAR?

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12697, 27 October 1904, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, OCTOBERS 27, 1904. IS THERE TO BE WAR?

The cablegrams to hand to-day regarding the Dogger Bank outrage are by no means reassuring. ' The Tsar has made no apology, but has expressed regret. He is holding back, it is stated, for the report of the Admiral of the Baltic fleet. That Admiral sent his torpedo-boats into Cherbourg, and before doing that he had signalled to the British Channel Admiral: *' Trawler's fleet reporting." Now the Russian Admiralty reports that it does not know where the Baltic fleet is to be found. Russia seems to be shuffling. There does not appear to have been a prompt and frank acceptance of the situation or a willingness to pay the penalty. Possibly the Tsar I Wonders that Britain should make i so much fuss over the lives of a' few fishermen. That the crisis is becoming serious is shown by the absolute freedom with which British Ministers are speaking regarding the outrage. It is a remarkable thing for the British Minister for Foreign Affairs to have said: "The fishermen were mistaken lor Japanese or the Russians were getting their hands in." Then the naval reserves are being mobilised, and the Channel, Home, and Mediterranean squadrons are under orders. If the Tsar had show a willingness to do his duty in the matter no note of menace would have been heard—from Britain. Instead, public men, and all men of responsibility, would have continued to . speak in terms of moderation and with a desire to heal the wound without first having recourse to blows. It is clear, however, that there is no steadfastness, no true balance of mind in official circles in St. Petersburg. Folly has succeeded folly there ever since the war began. The Times' commissioner reports that in his opinion the attack on the fishermen was deliberately made and with a full knowledge that they were Englishmen. It may have been—it is hard to believe it—an act of war deliberately committed. On that assumption Admiral Roshdestvensky's order for increased vigilance and surveillance for the enemy when in British waters may be understood. The same assumption may explain the fact that on seeing the British cruiser Essex the fleet cleared for action. If that is Russia's meaning the slaughter of the fishermen was a cowardly challenge to Britain. Such a thing may. be hard to realise, but it must, not be forgotten that Russia lies beaten at the feet of Japan. She has the Asiatic's desire to " save face," and she may prefer Armageddon to the humiliation of askingJapan for terms of peace. The outlook at the present-moment is distinctly ominous. Unless Britain's terms are promptly accepted—and there seems little likelihood of that —the British fleet will inflict condign punishment upon the Baltic fleet. There Britain may stop, unless, indeed, Russia has the hardihood to declare Avar. Fortunately no civilised nation— not even Germany—would dare to support Russia [ in such a quarrel.