Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-10-29
DIVERSE OPINIONS.

ing editorial in yesterdays Paris lntran'
sigeant he has positive proof that five
fishing boats which returned to Hull
fourteen hours after the other boats OF
the feet arrived there, we're swarming
with japanese. The editorial also says
that these boats carried cargo OF high
explosives, destined to destroy the Rus
alan vessels, even at the cost OF the lives
OF the Japanese and the destruction oil
the British fishing craft. He adds that
the Japanese we're hent upon getting ex-
act details of the strength of the Russian
feet. Their delay of fourteen hours,
according to Rochefort, was due to the
necessity OF disposing of the tell-tale ex-
plosiyes before returning to port. lie
further asserts that Reuters Agency,
(Which is always with the Japanese and
against Russia" had already casually
announced the presence of score OF
Japanese craft ia the channel and along
the English coast, leaving it to be in-
ferred that they had come to watch the
transit of Venus, (Which will. occur
eighty-six years hence"
al only published the article after
proofs had been submitted to me show
| ing the presence of japanese among
the fishermen" said Editor Roche
fort last night. al am uncer-
tain whether Japanese torpedo boats
actually we're there, for their ap'
proach should have been reported on
the way, and if England furnished the
japanese two such vessels, it was the
gravest kind of breach of neutrality.
But have not the least doubt that there
we're Japanese among the fishermen.
England practically admits it by her
precipitancy 10 demanding apology,
money, and punishment OF the officers
to close the incident.
"If war should come-which / do not
believe will happen-England can easily
crush the Russian feet, and is strong
enough to cope with the fleets OF United
Europe.
Still, as said editorially yesterday
morning, France is in position where
she must choose between dishonor and
death. If England attacks Russia, We
must stand by our ally or forfeit oul
honor. But to be embroiled in such
contest would be fatal to France"
Editor Eochefort showed letter hi
bad Just received, signed NJ. de Gretfon,
assuring him that his information, as
published, was exact, and that the Rus
sian authorities had been aware OF thu
presence Of japanese at Hull for two
months. Editor Rochefort observed
M. de Greffon is an officer Of high ranl
in the Russian navy"
An officer of the British navy pre-
dicted yesterday afternoon that it would
be demonstrated in the inquiry at Vigt
that Russians fred at their own toped'
boats, and probably sank one of them
As corOllary to this prediction tn
officer also predicted it would be mad
clear that Admiral Rojestvensky knew
this when he wrote his report, which wa
published with considerable fullness to
day. -
According to the Russian admiral
account" said the British officer, "th
Baltic feet divided into three detach
ments on entering the North Sea. Ii
the first detachment were the trans
port and torpedo boats, in the secon
detachment we're four bsttle-ships, in
cluding the flagship in the third de
tathment a number OF cruisers an
battleships. The first detachment wa
ordered to proceed to Cherbourg, sn
started off with the intention OF pro
ceeding there by the most direct route
"The admirals detachment sailed TO
Vigo, the intention being that 1t shoul
make that port by the shortest possibl
route. Well, the admiraPs detachment
went astray, and it was long ways O
the proper course when it committed tb
: outrage on the Gamecock fishermen. M
belief Is the torpedo-boat detachment ais
went astray and ran up against the az
miral's detachment just at the time II
fishing feet was sighted by both. II
admiral, as soon as the torpedo boa
? we're made out, said t. himself:s DE
are those Japanese destroyers they sa
were after me-" and he at once ga'
orders to fire on them. He says |
sank one torpedo boat, but l predict
will be found to be one of his o"
- feet. Probably he damaged the 9th
one, and maybe it was because it had
4 make repairs before itcould proceed th'
u the story was told of Russian boat d
tached by the admiral to watch the d
velopments of the fishing feet. You vi
>. remember they said the Russian vess
hung about the scene Of the outrage uni
6o'clock Saturday morning. Or may
o, the torpedo boat hung about looking f
the survivors from its mate. / have lit
: doubt in my mind this explains the c
tire affair, and in this connection it
quite significant that when the Bali
II feet passed Dover Saturday the torpe
detachment was sent in the lead, b
brought up the rear. Now when t
INQUIRY at Vigo begins it will be prop
10 ascertain if any Russian torpedo boz
q are missing. If that be the case, |
question will arise if she is the boat
Russian admiral sank. 1t will also
8 advisable to look over other torpedo boz
aod see if any of them bears marks oil
J. sbot. don't believe that if there Is 0
in that condition it will be possible
repajr her so that her injuries Will
- show. / have no private informant
N .L;. horr;hle affair. and wi