MR. BALFOUR'S CRITICISMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12699, 31 October 1904, Page 5

MR. BALFOUR'S CRITICISMS.

BRITAIN'S NATIONAL HONOUR ATTACKED. (Received October 30, -1.47 p.m.) London, October 29. Mr. Balfour, after announcing the terms of settlement, said that until Monday evening neutrals had never dreamt that they were liable to attacks while engaged in peaceful avocations under circumstances rendering resistance impossible. It was ludicrous if such incidents were possible. All neutrals were bound to combine against a belligerent fleet that made such attacks. While the horrified and startled fishermen bore the news of the tragedy to Hull, the Russians had gone on their course silently, and without sign. It was only four days later that the Russian admiral's version of the affair had been received. The statement of the fishermen contained much of tragedy and no romance. Though the two versions were absolutely contradictory.! it was impossible to doubt which of them was substantially correctOrdinarily, when a matter was under inquiry, he would not attempt to prejudice the case of the other side. Admiral Roshdestvenski, however, had attacked the national honour by implying in his report that Britain was not doing her duty as a neutral, though really fih© was performing it scrupulously. THE CONFLICTING REPORTS.*SCATHING COMMENTS. Speaking with intense feeling and merciless . irony, Mr. Balfour recounted the conflicting stories of the fishermen, and the admiral. He -proceeded 5 J

"The admiral claims that he sank one torpedo-boat and injured another. What has become of the latter? By what prevision could a hostile torpedo-boat know that the Russians would go 30 miles out of their course whan their own navigating regulations indicate that Dogger Bank is crowded with fishermen of all nationalities ?

" as it possible lor the Japanese to lie in wait at a spot where publicity was inevitable?

"I publicly express my disbelief m these phantom ships, because experts allege that the nearest Japanese warship are 14,000 miles away ; also because if there are torpedoboats in the North Sea, the Russian admiral believes we are providing them with a base, unless he expects that France or Holland would do it.

" The admiral's statement is pure fancy, and it has , necessitated an emphatic protest.

PROGRESS OF NEGOTIATIONS.

"As soon as the tragedy was reported, Russia expressed her deep regret, and promised compensation, and indicated that any wrong-doer ought to be punished.

" A special difficulty arose from th& fact that the witnesses were -vanishing from Europe, and would be beyond the control of the national or international courts. That was overcome. '

" Another difficulty arose from the fact that Admiral Roshdestvenski held a theory as to the rights and duties of a belligerent fleet which made the high seas a place of danger to peaceful neutrals.

" A fleet animated by such a policy ought to be hunted out of existence, | or it would ."prevent civilised commerce from pursuing its way unimpeded. PRAISE FOR THE TSAR. Mr. Balfour praised the far-sighted -wisdom of the Tsar in the action he had taken in the matter. After days of deep anxiety, when the Government had nearly contemplated the extreme possibility of war, he was glad to be able to announce the settlement of all differences on terms alike honourable to both. If the international inquiry showed very heavy blame, those responsible would be duly punished. The British demands did not go beyond what the highest international morality demanded. If less had been asked his countrymen might have complained that their honour was not safe in the hands of the Government.