Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-10-29

boat, either waiting for her escort or
repairing damage by the fire of his
ships.
In concluding his telegram. Admiral
Rojestvensky expresses in the most
warm-hearted way the regrets of the
whole squadron to the fishermen VINO
had suffered and to the families OF the
victims.
Rojestvensky's report was tele-
graphed from Vigo direct to the En-
perOr, who received it, Wednesday
night. 1t was communicated, Thurs
day morning, to Ambassador Hardinge
by Foreign Minister Lamsdorff himself.
There is reason to believe that the
British embassy was also acquainted
with the information which reached
the Russian authorities some time ago
Of the arrival at and subsequent mNs-
tcrious disappearance from Hull OF -
japanese, mention of which was made
in these dispatches. Oct. -.
II is pointed out that the original
version of the incident as recited by
the captain Of the trAWler MOulmein
comedies closely with ROjestvensky'
The captain said that while the squad
ron was passing he suddenly noticed
two torpedo boats which approached so
near that he thought they intended
boarding him when they sheered off,
heading back for the squadron. Almost
Immediately after the squadron opened
fire.
According to one account of ROieSt-
vensky's it specifically states that there
We're no torpedo boats with the squad
ron when the incident occurred. If this
is true the statement of the captain Of
the Moulnrin would completely corrob-
crate Rojestvcnsky.
In view o. he complexion now placed
on the incident by Rojestvensky's re
port it is likely conceivable that Rus
STA may make representations to Great
Britain and that the whole course of
exchanges between the two govern
ments regarding the affair may be al
trrd.
R"istvcnsky's version is likely to
,aic as much Indignation in Rus
: as the fishermcn's version did in
r Gland. Further inquiry would seem
to ne Indispensable.
II is stated that torpedo l.unt anita .t,-d
the leading Russian ship. Thcv disrr-
gildcd the signals to keep off when pick
cd NJ by the searchights and tire Was
orercd on them.
Eoi"stvenSky refers to, end replies spr-
Cillcally to the reports in til" HritiSh
,'trss showing that he had the press ac-
, t.,,..utS before him when he wrote his re-
l'ui.. som" of his langulg" is sarcastic,
| especially WHEN speaking OF the appear
| ance uf the torpedo boats from the dircc-
| ton OF the British liz. ~. conveying
an iEtmttlOu mich ctIt;i-II. viii arou-,
resentment iii England lie declares that
| no other laval commander III sea. under
| similar circumstances. would have failed
| to open tire adds that he courts the fun
| est inquiry and suggests that Il court Of
| inquiry could be held at Ni2o.
According to word received here Great
! Britain VIII ut once btgin tie most for
NAL and most searching inquiry into the
| affair.
In diplomatic circles Rojestvensly's re-
| port CT, attd the <etneSt interest The
feeling is that the situation demands in
partial imyrstiGa lion To determine the
| facts to the satisfaction OF both parties
and to tn" world generally. The myS@ry
| is not considered to be cleared up. one
! OF the things particularly pointed out is
! the fact that RojestVenSky' report was
! written after he had seen the foreign ac-
counts of the affair. The admiralty is
unable to explain why. after being at
tackled. he waited four days before re-
porting. and that he then took pains to
reply to the allegations of the press.
| In some quarters this is regarded "a
suspicious. of course the government ac-
ccptS the report in perfect good faith.
| hut if an inquiry should prove that the
report was PREPARED to shield himself;
! out to him. II. on the contrary, 1t is
proved to be correct, it will place Great
Britain in an awkward position. If either
| event the situation might be rendered
| more acute ard the feeling arfong the
| diplomats is that pending a solution OF
all the questions in doubt the greatest
i