RUSSIA'S BALTIC FLEET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 257, 3 November 1904, Page 2

RUSSIA'S BALTIC FLEET.

SAILS AWAY FROM VIGO ON ITS VOYAGE TO THE FAR EAST. THIS I'UOVUKES SOME STRONG COMAIKNT FROM I'RESS AND PEOPLE HUT IT 13 EXPLAINED THAT DETENTION OF THE SHIPS WAS NEVER MEANT. (Extraordinary.) LONDON, Nov. 1. A Reuter message Btatcs that all the Russian warships left Vigo to-day. Router's Gibraltar correspondent states that Lord Charles Beresfoixl, Vice-Admiral commanding the Channel Fleet, has suddenly re-called all his olliccrs on board their respective sliips. MINISTERS IN CONFERENCE. KING EDWARD'S INTEREST IN THE .NEGOTIATIONS. LONDON, Nov. 1. A Cabfaot Council wan held yesterday ia connection with the negotiations, and dealt with the i*oceduro and scope »( the Powers' International Commission of Inquiry and the preliminary convention Russia is wramging. It is hoped tliat the commission will comprise Jurists of neutral nationality, aided by oavul experts. The King summoned the Trimc Minister (Mr llalfour) jiuior to the Council meeting, and the Marlquess oif Lansdowne (Secretary of State for Foreign Atfaii'tt) aiterwuiKla.

COUNTRY WILL NOT WAIT. THE TIMES PUTS THE CASE PLAINLY, LONDON, Nov, 1. The 'limes says that tho presentation of the North Sea and the reception given the finding of tho Commission will afford oiiportuaiUi.fi' lor tho exercise of good faith or bod, success or failuia. The experiment lis one on which the world'* confidence and pacific plans may bout;, and depends almost absolutely ou the mutual uurigihtnesti of tho parties. The Bonio journal declares that ■.hough no longer acute, the Situa..oll demands vigilant core, in order 10 avoid dangerous develojynents. The country will, ;t says, insist on satisfaction without waiting indefinitely.

BRITAIN'S SELL 1 CONTROL. MUST NOT BE MISTAKEN FOR WEAKNESS. LONDON, Nov, 1. Lord Salisbury (Lord Privy Seal) speaking at Liverpool, said tho nation had been thoroughly satisfied to llnd the Navy reafly, if rtljuircd. Great Britain had been complimenU ed abroad for the firmness and self-control displayed by her. He would be sorry if foreign countries took solf-control for weakness. He remembered only two or three occasions when Great Britain had been desperately in earnest, and this was one of them. He hoped the now acute phase had passed. Others had passed with equal success, with as the final result, European peace. He eulogised Mr Balfour's noirotia-l tious. »

ENGLISH NAVAL THEORY. UNREPORTED FACTS NOW COMING TO LIGHT. LONDON, Nov. 1. British naval opinion is that the squadron misread the new signals, and that the two rearmost vessels of tho port line of ships probably got to the starboard of tiio sta/r----boarrt lino, moving quickly, and by their excited alarm attracted their own consort's fire. Then, perceiving their mistake, they hastened to return to their places, the movement strengtluening the belief in the presence of an enemy. Investigation is already eliciting I some facts not reported by tho «d-| miral in tlie first instunco.

IS THE CZAR SINCERE 1 HE SENDS A MESSAGE TO ROHJESHENSIU. LONDON, Nov. 1. ine Czar has sent Admiral Re*. jeshenski a iwrsonal message of encouragement aud sympathy. GERMAN PROTEST. THIS NORTH SeTouTRAGE DENOUNCED. t , LONDON, Nov. 1 A largo meeting at Hamburg (Germany) protested against the IW J?" "«« "«<m <» U» Nort" beu, and censured tho cowardly abandonment of the trawlers. & hoped Great Britain would exact reparation for, tho murders

A PREMATURE SUGGESTION. to celebrateTpeace BY AN EXHIBITION. «li,. 'pu LONDON, Nov. 1. den of tTT, lialXlay aont o the International Law Institute) proposes to celebrate peace and mark the great and ZmZl Played by Prance i» the rati? m ,«' A "» l0 - F «»«* wMbrtloi

THE SITUATION REASSURING.

DETENTION OF THE FLEET NEVER CONTEMPLATED. (Received Nov. 2, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 2. Although the departure of the Rus. slan fleet is in accordance with Mr Ballour's speech thero is- a strong feeling in Loi*don that Its departure deprives the International Commission of an opportunity of calling as many eye-witnesses as may be deemed necessary. Count Schoenboni's view that tlte commission is entitled to hoar sailors independently of any particular witness tendered by the Russians, is emphasised ; but a somi-oHiciaJ statement issued in London declares that the detention of the fleet was never contemplated when onco Russia lrnd given her pledge, and the suggestion would have been considered unreasonable in the circumstances. It is added that instead of showing Increased gravity the situation is distinctly more reassuring hJ* M J? W ? has """""need that before the fleet left Vigo the Admiral was instructed to prevent FrZ "■J* 0 *"* 0 t0 ">« Far East. four officers: aw detained at Vigo In compliance with Russia's engagement, and tho two Governments Tare discussing the terms of tho referenco to the International Coinmiseion.

WARNING FROM THE TIMES. EVASION OU DELAY MAY BHINQ SERIOUS RESULTS. (Receive* Nov. 3, 1.2 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 8. The Times urges that the departure of the Bk|ii<ulron ia restricting the nurafber of wjt'iivsnes to four. This ia not what the British public excited, and tlio decision is likely to create in Western countries an impression that Russia is not treating the inquiry seriously, or else that she desires to prevent a full elucidation of the facts. The.pVoml.se to try and adequately punish the guilty ones implies that upon the commission devolves the duty of apportioning the responsibility.' '■' On that distinct understanding alone the. nation welcomed the commission, anil any attempt to evade tihis will lie interpreted to mean that Russia is temporising and deluding us by ambiguous assurance!, which she never intends to keep in the spirit in which they were accepted. Tlie meetings of the Cabinet and the movement of the British Heels should convince Russia that we are in deadly luincat. Evasion or undue delay may bo siwodily followed by most serious results."

A CRITICAL SITUATION. MERE ACCIDENT MAY PRECIPITATE A CRISIS. (Received Nov. 3, 1.10 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 2. The Standard, commenting on the situation/, says the danger is the same from the Baltic Fleet as when it was in the North Sea. In continuing i ts voyage il i» weakened only by the loss of four somewhat unimportant personages. The ships battleships and cruisers, and a self-control will be needed 0 n kn hands to avoid disastrous ojisodes"