The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-25
WHAT THE DIPLOMATS SAY.
"GhastIy Blunder," "DeplOrable Incident"
No One Can Explain.

| LONDON, Oct 24-Baron Graevenitz,
FIRST Secretary of the Russian Embassy,
assured an interviewer to-day that the
North Sea incident was Il CHASTITY bunder
but nothing more. He said:
we had ample evidence that an attempt
was to be made in an underhand way 70
damage the ships of the Baltic feet during
their passage through the North Sea. The
Russian officers may have thought it prob
able that ordinary boats had been requisi-
toned and fitted with torpedo tubes.
Il can only suppose that the reason the
Admiral in command did not stop to in
quire the result of his cannonade was that
he had no idea that any one had been
killed.
Il am certain OF one thing" the Baron
concluded, there must have been a great
mistake on the part OF the fishermen.
Something must have provoked the Russian
feet. Probably the fishermen were APP
preaching too near, and as the night was
foggy / suppose our people, seeing lights.
thought some danger was approaching
NJ Sazanoff, one of the officers Of the
Russian Embassy, said this afternoon that
the whole thing was most regrettable
misunderstanding No man in his senses
COulQ Unlnk tIldt SUCH az cutIobV "ou'Ns pS
voluntarily committed.
1.-The fact u.s., he said, our fleet did not
see the green lights Of the fishing boats.
The signal rockets they fred may have mis-
led the Russian commander.
Every single man, from Admiral TO
common sailor, will feel the greatest sor-
row at the occurrence of such a regrettable
incident. The Admiral undoubtedly is not
responsible for the order to fire. He had
gone on with the first part Of the fleet
Thus far the embassy has had no COM
munication from st. Petersburg. The fact
that the feet steamed away after firing
was probably because the officers believed
no damage had been done"
SIR MORTIMER DURAND's VIEW.
LsNox, Mass., Oct 2i.-Sir Mortimer
Dnrand, the British Ambassador. was
| seen by reporter at the summer residence
| OF the British Embassy in Len6x this morn
ing and asked what effect the Russian
attack on the Hull fishing fleet would have
on the diplomatic relations between England
and Russia The Ambassador said:
1T seems a deplorable accident, which OF
course will be explained. Such condition
was most unforeseen. l cannot discuss
it's diplomatic effects and consequences.
cAssINI DEFENDS THE ADMIRAL.
WASHINGTON Oct. 24.-Ambassador Cas-
SIM said to-day that he had received no
official advoes concerning the attack upon
the British fishing fleet by Admiral Rojest-
vensky's warships, and that he expected
none
This affair is one Of the regrettable
and unfortunate incidents of war" he said.
1t is absurd to suggest that the war vessels
alta the defenceless and harmless
fishing boats knowing them to he such.
THE Russian Government had positive
information justifying it in giving to Admit
raj Rojest vensky the most imperative in
structions looking to the safeguarding Of
his feet in the journey to the Far East. The
Japanese are an enterprising and subtle
foe. and the utmost precaution IL necessary
in dealing with them.
Il have no doubt that the fishing vessels
we're warned not to approach too close to
the warships, and that they misunderstood
these signals and approached to distance
within which, il they had been torpedo
boats, they could have delivered blow
at the feet. The Russian commander was
then forced, under the circumstances, to
fire upon them. The morning was thick
and it was impossible to determine the
nature of the vessels.
Doubtless Admiral Rojestvensky will
submit an explanation that will show his
action to have been reasonable and justi-
fed in view of all the circumstances. l
do not regard it as at all likely that he will
be recalled for his action
MCCORMICK SAYS MISTAKE.
CHICAGO. Oct. 2.-Robert S. Mccormick,
United States Ambassador to Russia, who
is in Chicago. said to-day that the Russian
attack on fishing feet looked like mis-
take. He declined to express an opinion
on the incident further, except to ssy that
Admiral Roiestvensky is held in high es-
TEEN in Russia, where his skill and judg-
ment have always been relied upon.
OTHER VIEWS.
TORONTO Oct. A.-Prof. Goodwin Smith,
interviewed on the attack of the Russian
Baltic feet upon the British trawing fleet,
says:
TT ia evidently the act of some hot headed
subo, climate. Let us wait coolly and see
what Russia does and not make humiliation
more bitter to her with the possibility OF
! driving her to extremity. England will
act with wisdom and no doubt pave the
way for concessions.
MONTREAL, Que, Oct 2.-Honor6 Ger
] yaiR, professor OF INTERNATIONAL law IN Laval
! University, the leading French educational
institution in Canada speaking to-day of
the Russian outrage, said IL the reports
are true Russia has imade cnsuse belH
and the situation demands instant apology
with compensation. Should that not be
forthcoming at once England can have
only one course Of action open to her. Rus
sia must have such a sound thrashng that
she will never recover,
NEW HAVEN, Oct. 24:-Prof. Theodore s.
Woosey professor Of interna ional law
in The Yale law school. said this af ernoon:
Il feel very confident that the extraor-
binary attack by the Russian Bal ic squad
ron upon the British EorthRSea trawlers
will prove to be a blunder merely. possibly
caused by the nervous condition OF the
Russians and their misunderst anding OF the
signals and the plans OF the fishermen.
An explanation, apology and payment 10
the sufferers will promptly follow, The
questions Of interest then would he rs to the
probable quality Of the Russian seaman
ship and the possible delay of the feet pend
' ing investigation.