The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1904-11-02
AFFAIR IN A TANGLE
Rojestyensky's Official Re-
port Creates Sensation.
SHOT AT REAL WAR SHIPS
indications are that tho Japs Playe1
Cunning Trick in North Sea.
Corroboratod by Fishing
Fleet Captain.

An Associated Press dispatch from
ST. Petersburg, under Thursdays date,
says: Vice Admiral Rojestvenskv's
explanation Of the trawler incident Is
fully as sensational as the news Of the
firing on the fishing fleet which SGT
all England ahame.
He declares he was attacked in the
darkness by two torpedo boats, which
came upon the squadron from the dl
rection of the fishing fleet. He ope:r
ed fire and believes he sank one OF
the torpedo boats, tho other making
off for cover among the fishermen.
AS soon as he noticed the fishermen
Admiral Rojestvensky ceased firing
He proceeded on his way without
leaving any vessel behind, and says
he believes tho vessel which the fish
ermen reported remained on the scene
six hours without Offering succor TO
tho drowning was tho other torpe 10
boat, either waiting for her consort or
repairing damage inflicted by the fire
Of his ships.
In concluding his telegram, Admiral
Rojestvensky expressed in the moss
warm-hoarted way the regrets Of me
whole squadron to the fishermen VINO
had suffered and to tho families Of tho
victims.
Rojcstvensky's report was telo-
graphod from Vigo, Spain. direct ID
Emperor Nicholas, who received j.
Wednesday night. IL was commun:-
Gated Thursday morning to Ambassa.
dor Hardinge by Foreign Ministo:
Lamsdorn himself. There is reason
to believe that the British embassy
was also acquainted with information
which reached the Russian authorities
some timo ago of the arrival at AMI
subsequent mysterious disappearance
from Hull OF twenty Japanese, mention
Of which was made in dispatches ot
October %. 1t Is pointed out that the
original version Of the incident as re-
cited by the captain of the trawlcr
Moumein comedies closely with Ro
jestvcnsky.
The captain of the Moulmein said
that while the squadron was passing
he suddenly noticed two torpedo boats
which approached so near that 10
thought they intended boarding him;
they shecred of, heading back for tao
squadron, almost Immediately after
the squadron opened fire.
Statement Corroborated.
According to one account Of Rojest
venskys report it specifically statn3
that there were no torpedo boats with
tho squadron when the incident o..
Cured. If this is true the statement
Of the captain OF the Moulmoin would
completely cOrrobOrate RojestvcnslIy.
In view of the entire new complex
ion placed on the incident by RojcI'.
vensky's report, 1t is readily concciv-
able that Russia may make rcprcscu-
tntiOns to Great Britain and that the
whole course Of exchanges between
the two governments regarding the az
fair may be altered
Rojestvensky's version is likely -
create as much Indignation in Russia
as the flshermen's version did in En- :
land.
If it is conclusiycly proved that q
couple Of Japanese torpedo hoa,s
launched an attack on tho Russian
squadron from tho English shores ca
from the shelter of the English FISH
ing fleet, there is no doubt that Jne
British government will promptly d.
nouncc this outrage ard use every cf.
FORT 20 punish the offenders.
The sudden turn given to the affa y
by Rojestvensky's official report cr1-
atcs most peculiar situation and tho
approaching developments are being
watched with tho kccnest interest.