New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-28
THE PUSSLAN REPLY.

The Russian reply to the British demands in
the North Sea case appears at first sight TO
make the situation more serious. The refusal
TO comply with two of the demands might, If
both powers were inSistent, result in a breach
OF friendly relations. If the damage done TO
the British fishing fleet was wantOn, or was
done through carelessness or through panic, then
those two demands are reasonable and Great
Britain cannot be expected 10 recede from them.
Nor does it seem we'll that the Russian govern
ment so promptly rejected them on general prin-
ciples especially when there was so close at
hand what purpOrts TO be adequate special
ground for rejecting them.
Such ground is alleged in the report of Adj
miral Rojestvensky. which, from one point OF
view. greatly complexities the case but which
may in fact facilitate its peaceful solution. The
Russian commander declares that his feet was
approached and attacked by several torpedo
boats. that he fired upon them in self-defence
not noticing any fishing boats within range. and
that as soon as he discovered the fishing boats
and had disposed of the torpedo boats he
stopped firing and went on his way, not know
ing he had done any harm to the fishermen.
That is an amazing story. 1t has been pro-
nounced by some to he prepOsterOus but it is
not necessarily so. 1t seems grossly imprOb-
able. yet il is by no means impossible. We must
remember that the captain of one of the fishing
a
which he supposed 10 be Russian But the
Russians say they had none with that fleet
There were also, before this incident, many
stories of torpedo boats and submarines shipped
EurOpeward, presumably for one Of the belIiger-
ents. There was story of a score of Japanese
at Hull. There were other circumstances point
ing at least 10 the possibility that the resource
ful, ingenious and almost incredibly daring jap
anese were planning some adventurous stroke
The admirals report may be received outside
OF Russia with incredulity. But IL can scarcely
be expected that Russia will so receive II. The
Cars government is not TO be asked to dis
miss at once as wicked lie the formal report
Of one OF its chief naval officers Neither can if
reasonably be expected to punish any one for n
deed which, II that report is true was perhaDs
not culpable at all. There may be some ones
ton as TO the precautions the Russians should
have taken 10 discover and warn non-comha
tanfs before firing. though 1t does not seem that
a captain should let n torpedo boat come on
ana destroy his ship while he is waiting for
nOn-combatants 10 get out of the wav Of nos
sible shots. If japanese torpedo boats really
were there, the Russians had a right 10 fire
upon them; and If those boats were ustnp the
fishing boats as screen and a mask ms the
Russians suggest, then the japanese were moral
" culpable for the damage which the fishermen
suffered
1he case seems ar present, therefore chiefly
10 hinge upon the question of Admiral Roiest-
Vensky's truthfulness That question it is obvi-
ously all but impossible to answer to the salts
faction OF both parties II is too much % az
pect Russia fatty to repudiate his story. II Is
also perhaps too much TO expect Great Britain
TO accept 1t without reserve. If Great Britain
should decide to accept st, upon the strength Of
the Cars assurance Of its truth. Russia might
well on her part halt the further progress OF
her il starred feet until the amplest POSSIBLE
investigation and settlement could be made the
more SO since practically all the world outside
Ot hussla IS inclined to regard this torpedo boat
story with incredibly and skeDticism Former
doings OF Russian vessels and the Dresent Of.
forts OF this very feet TO violate the neutrality
OF Spanish ports have created bad impression
among the powers which'lt would be well worth