Palestine daily herald. [volume] (Palestine, Tex.) 1902-1949, 1904-10-29
THE DOGGER
BANK BATTLE
Russian Vice Admiral Gives Version
of the Affair.
REPLIES TO REPORTS
One Of the Most Complicated Diplo-
matte Situations In the History
of the World is on Hand
TO Be Settled.

London, Oct. 29.-The version or Ad-
miral Rojestvensky's report, given out
in London. says Rojestvensky states
tfat there never was any intention of
firing on the British trawlers. II
stray shot hit a boat 1t was entirely
by accident. The trawlers were noticed
by the Russian fleet as It passed Dog
ger Bank. Among the fishing boats
two steamers moving at high speed,
and looking exactly like torpedo boats,
were observed. Rojestvensky conclud-
ed that these were Japanese torpedo
boats. The Russian admiral was of
on these two ships. 1se admiral en-
phatically denied that's the Russian
warship was left behind. He declares
his officers were In total ignorance
of the fact that any of the Russian
shots struck the trawlers, and he ex-
pressed his extreme regret, and that
of every man in the fleet, that any OF
the trawlers were damaged and that
any OF the crews were killed or wound
ed.
The admiral asks the name OF the
warship noticed lowering near the
scene OF the affair. and declared that
all of he Russian warships steamed
off together.
Rojestvensky further declares that
all of the Russian warships steamed
fired were Enthusiastically of the war
ship type.
One Of the things particularly point
ed out is the fact that Rojestvensky's
report was written after he had seen
the foreign accounts of the affair The
admiralty is unable to explain why
after being attacked. he waited four
days before reporting, and that ne
then took no pains to reply TO the al
legations Of the press. In some quar-
tiers this is regarded as suspicious. OF
course the government accepts the re-
port In perfect good faith, but IL an in
quiry should prove that the report was
prepar ed to shield himself, the most
severe punishment Will be meted out
to him. If on the contrary. II is proved
TO be correct It will place Great Brit
ain In an awkward position. In either
event. The situation might be rendered
more acute and the feeling of the diplo-
mats that pending a solution of all
the question in doubt, the greatest tact |
and moderation should be observed by
the statesmen and newspapers of both |
countries
II SC sai1- that two torpedo puars at
tackled the leading ship. They disre-
garded the signals to keep off when |
picked up by the searchlights, and fire |
was opened on them.
Rojestvensky refers to and replies |
specifically to the reports in the Brit
ish press, showing that he had the
press accounts before him when he
wrote his report.
Some of his language is sarcastic. |
especially when speaking of the ap-
pearance of the torpedo boats from the
direction of the British fishermen. con-
veying the intimation which will GER
tainly arouse resentment in England.
He declares that no other naval COM
mander at sea, under similar circum-
stances, would have failed 10 open fire
and adds that he courts the fullest in
quiry, and Suggests that a court Of in
quiry could be held at Vigo.
In diplomatic circles Rojestvensky's
report created the keenest interest The
tial investigation. The mystery is not
considered TO be cleared UP. Vice
Admiral Rojestvensky's explanation of
the attack of his squadron on the Brit
ish trawlers. while 1t is received with
incredulity by the people and press of
Breat Sritain. has probably turned the
current of diplomatic negotiations into
a new channel The British foreign Of
fee is In courtesy obliged to accord
an investigation into circumstances
narrated by the Russian admiral. rein
forced, as II is. by the testimony OF
subordinate officers of the squadron
and by the report of the Danish minis
ter of marine, communicated to the
Russian government, that vessels were
known to have been chartered at Hull
and in Sweden by the japanese for the
purpose OF attacking the Baltic squad
ron during its passage OF the North
sea and English channel There are
on the one side stories OF the X Issian
ships firing upon vessels OF several neu-
trail nations and on the other. incidents
tending to establish Admiral Rojest-
vensky's report. but there were armed
hostile vessels I'm the vicinity. at least
Of the Hull fishing fleet. Pending de-
velopments in diplomatic exchanges
the British admiralty Is showing the
utmost activity in bringing fleets with
IN the course OF the Russian squadron
The Russian ships at Vigo. Spain. II
81 promised will leave as soon as neces-
sary repairs are completed. France and
Germany may be regarded as throwing
the weight of their influence in the
scale for a peaceful conclusion OF the
controversy.
Arrival at Valetta.