The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1904-10-28
WANT0N ATTACK
BY Baltic fleet
RUSSIAN WARSHIPS FIRE ON
ENGLISH FISHING VESSELS
IN THE NORTH SEA.
Ono Trawler Is Sunk and Shot Be-
heads Skipper and Mate-0thers
Are Damaged-No Motive Known
for Outrage.

Hull, Eng, Oct. PA. M. jackson
& Co., solicitors for the owners Of 81
Hull fishing boats, have notified the for
eign Office and admiralty of an attack
on the Hull fishing feet by the Russian
Pacific feet commonly designated as
the Baltic squadron). The official in
formation is that shortly after midnight
Friday the Russian squadron fell In
with the Hull fishing feet in the North
sea. The first portion of the fishing
feet turned their search-lights on the
British vessels for some time and IT.
tie later opened fire. The steam trawler
Crane was sunk, and the decapitated
bodies of her skipper and mate have
been brought to Hull. The steam traw-
lers Molmein and Mino have arrived at
Hull seriously damaged by shots, the
latter having 16 holes in her hull. 1t Is
feared that other damage was done to
trawlers and that at least one more was
lost with all hands.
Two Beheaded.
The Moulmein arrived with her flag
at half mast. Her skipper states that
the trawlers were fishing about 22O miles
east by north of Spurn Head at one
o'clock Saturday morning, the weather
being hazy, when the outlines of several
vessels, apparently warships sailing in
a line, were dimly seen. Whilst the
crew were watching the vessels search
lights were flashed upon them, In the
glare of which the Moulmein's crew OBJ
served what they took to be torpedo
boats approaching, apparently with the
intention of boarding the Moulmein.
They steamed away. however, and soon
the fishermen were Mortified to find they
were being fired upon. First one and
then another trawler was struck by fly
ing shot. What seemed to be round
shot went through the Moulmein galley.
The Mino, lying near by, also was struck
with many shots, but fortunately the
damage was above her waterline and
none Of her crew was struck.
The bombardment lasted about 20
minutes. When it had ceased the fleet
sailed southwark, and some of the traw-
lers sent up rockets. The Moulmeln
steered in the direction of the rockets.
Soon cries were heard, and the Crane
was found sinking with another trawler
taking off some of her crew. Those seri-
ously injured were removed to mission
ship and the bodies of Smith and Leg
gott were placed aboard the Moulmein.
The other men with minor injuries were
put aboard the trawler Sea Gull, which
at a late hour had not arrived at Hull.
No motive can be assigned for the ex-
'traordinary procedure Of the Russian
warships.
Eighteen Wounded.
From interviews with members Of
trawler crews it appears that the adj
niral of the fishing fleet burned green
flares to show that they were harmless
fishermen. but these signals were ig-
nord. Eighteen injured men are here
under treatment, One trawler, the
Wren, Is missing, and it is feared she
has been sunk. There is rumor that
the Great Northern Fishing Fleet" was
also chased by the Russians. This re-
port has not vet been confirmed.
Feeling in London.
London, Oct. 24.-The first reports Of
the firing by Russian war vessels upon
British fishing fleet in the North sea
were regarded as almost Incredible.
When, however, cumulative evidence no
longer left doubt of the general accuracy
Of the reports, establishment became be-
wilderment as to what possible motive
could have led Russian officers into such
an extraordinary and inexplicable
course of action. which, unless salts
factory explanation is Immediately
forthcoming, could only be regarded as
an act Of war. This is the view taken
editorially by all the morning papers.
While admitting the necessity of a
suspension of judgment for investiga-
ton and explanation, the morning news
papers are unanimous in demanding
that the government instruct Ambassa-
dor Hardinge to make the strongest rep
reservations to the St. Petersburg gov
eminent and obtain reparation and apol-
ogy and assurances of the Russian Paci-
flc fleets good behavior for the future.
It Is held that the omission Of the Rus
sian fleet to stay its course down the
channel to offer any explanation makes
the case look exceedingly grave, and the
only possible solution of the mystery
that has been suggested is that, excited
by rumors recently spread of Japan's
intentions on the Pacific squadron. in the
event of its sailing, the Russian gunners
yielded to panic and supposed that the
trawlers' rockets were the signals Of IN
enemy's fleet.
Astonishment in Washington.
Washington, Oct 24-Astonishment
that the Russian commander should
have committed such a blunder as to
fire on inoffensive fishing vessels as re-
ported in dispatches from Hull prevails
in official circles. At the same time
these officials are prompt to express the
opinion that the Russian government
will promptly disavow the act and apol-
ogize when the facts are fully known.
The tragedy, it is realized. adds to the
complications which the Baltic fleet al
49,, I.