Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-10-31
ONLY A FOOL FLEET COULD
HAVE MADE THE BLUNDER

the attack of the Russian Baltic fleet
on the Hull fishermen in the North sea
creates amusement and degree of
satisfaction in official quarters. The
view is taken that seamen capable of
such panic in non-hostile waters are
not likely to comport themselves for
midably in the strait of Pechili.
Information gathered at the ad-
miralty and the navy league suggests
that strange spirit of fear has pos
sessed the commanders and crews OF
the Baltic fleet ever since it has been
organized. The vessels have been
guarded by double watch in the day.
time and triple watch at night. Their
mOorings have been changed constant
ly so that the loaction of the fleet has
been the same scarcely forty-eight
hours in succession.
Admiral Victim of Superstition.
Despite unparalleled precautions, ex-
plosions and other mishaps have oc-
CURED, producing a species of super
stitious dread that has affected even
Admiral Rojestvensky himself. 1t is
said that the admiral recently received
a letter from a Russian naval officer in
high rank in Port Arthur after the
latest disaster to the cars fleet in
Chinese waters stating that misfor-
tune had logged the navy in the most
unaccountable manner, not only since
the war began but long before, with
the result that "a melancholy convic-
ton has taken root in naval minds
THAT the Russians can accomplish
nothing at sea-
1t is asserted that this letter struck
Admiral Rojestvensky as accurately
voicing the general feeling at ST.
Petersburg and caused him to delay
the departure of the Baltic fleet I'M
til everything human foresight could
devise had been done to insure sue
cessful voyage. 1t is believed by mem
bers of the Navy league that the
CHASTITY blunder in the North sea will
still further impair the morale of the
cars sailors.
Call 1t National Dishonor.
st. Petersburg, Oct 25.-Representa-
tive Russians regard the attack of the
Baltic fleet on helpless fishermen off
the English coast as national dishon-
or. They admit that it reveals their
countrymen as lacking in keenness of
wit, self-control and courage. No SER
ious complication with Great Britain is
expected, for the government will
make prompt and ample reparation;
but hope is practically destroyed that
the fleet will accomplish great deeds
III the far east. 1t is believed that
Rojestvensky himself is blameless,
ron, which sailed past the fleet OF
trawlers, leaving them unmolested.
Feared Japanese Trap.
Copenhagen, Oct. 25.-It is stated by
local papers that the slaughter of the
English fishermen in the North sea
was the result of Admiral Rojestven-
sky's belief that Japanese torpedo
boats were concealed among the
trawlers fishing off the Dogger bank
It is thought the Russian admiral will
covered to be the case. Coast men
who were in communication with the
Russian vessels during the passage of
the narrow Danish waters say that the
officers and crews behaved as though
they were in the enemy's seas. Rojest-
vensky is said to have slept in the
daytime and never to have left the
quarterback at night.
Think Russians Insane on Sea.
Vienna, Oct 25-Amazement
mingled with alarm marks Austrian
opinion with regard to the initial ex-
plot Of Rojestvensky's squadron.
Russia may be sane on land" re-
marks the Frendenblatt, "but seems
to be insane On sea-" It is felt on all
sides that the commanders of the Bal
tic fleet were either in a bad state of
panic or bent on creating trouble.
Naval experts expect that Admiral
Fisher, the new British first sea lord
of the admiralty, will spur on Down
ing street to vigorous if not belliger-
ent action. The outcome is awaited
with deep concern.
Incident PIeases Japanese.
Toxic, Oct 25.-Prominent officials,
while deploring the loss of life in the
astonishing episode in the North sea,
are pleased with the evidence afforded
that the Baltic fleet is not likely to i'm
prove the record of it's sister squadron
at Port Arthur. The attack is attrib-
uted to a mistake, though such mis-
take is difficult to explain. The Japan
csc would probably be forced to think
otherwise but for their certain knowl-
edge of the singular methods of sea-
manship in vogue at Port Arthur. The
conviction is deep-seatei that the Bal
tic fleet, if it should ever reach the far
east, will be in poor condition both In
respect to ships and personnel to meet
the seasoned and disciplined sea forces
of the mikado