The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1904-10-27
RUSSIAN ACCOUNT OF
NORTH SEA INCIDENT T

B Nigo, Spain, Oct. 27.--The arrival OF
tile Russian battlcships Emperor Alex
ander III, Borodino. Orel and Kfliaz
Souvarof and the transport Anadu,
which have anchored in this port, has
caused considerable excitement,
Il The commander of the port immed
lately boarded the Russian flagship and
Informed Admiral Rojestvensky that
the Spanish government could not per-
nit the Warships to coal within! the
bort Admiral Rojestvensky replied
that his vessels needed REPAIRS, and that
for that reason he had separated from
the remainder of his squadron. The
commander of the port promised to in
form the Spanish government of the
admiral's statement and communicate
the governor reply as soon as it was
received. In spite ofStl1is FIVE German
colliers anchored in port alongside the
battleships, Whereupon the commander
Of the port sent an aide de camp to beg
Admiral Rojestvensky not to violate
Spanish neutrality and he also ordered
the commanding officer of the Spanish
cruiser Estramadura to notify the col
liers that they must obey the port au-
thorities. Eventually Admiral Rojest-
verlsky promised that he would not
coal in Spanish waters, at the same time
begging the commander Of the port to-
obtain the government S permission for
each warship to take on 400 tons Of
coal with which to- reach Tangier
Shortly afterward three colliers sailed
for Tangier, but two remained along
side the Russian warships.
D During the afternoon Admiral Ro-
iestvensky, accompanied by the COM;
manders of his batt1eships, visited the
military governor, the French consul,
and the commander Of the port, receiy-
ing the usual honors.
Admiral Rojestvensky declares that
the North Sea Incident was uiaavoid-
able. Before leaving Libau, the adj
miral says, he announced that he
would take stringent measures against
any vessel approaching the fleet. 3s
+ AS far as can be seen the crews of
the battleships are very uneasy. Sen-
tinels are closely watching every move
ineilt within the harbor. All four Of
the warships seem to be cleared for.
action
1T is rtinored that the object Of the
Spanish government III requesting the
Russians to remain the shortest pos
sible time at Vigo is To prevent the
possibility Of attack BY Japanese agents
whose presence in the province Of Gal
icia is suspected.
Prince Keretelli All officer Of the bat
tlesliip Emperor Alexander III, has
been interviewed and gives the follow
ing explanation Of the attack. BY the
Baltic squadron upon the British traw-
lers off Dogger Bank y
he transport Anatol, which was
stean1ing ahead of the squadron, was
suddenly surrounded By eight torpedo
boats and requested assistance, where
upon the battleship division advanced
and signalIed the unknown vessels to
leave or disclose their nationality, The
vessels refused to obey and advanced
among the Russian battIsships. sud-
denly cannon shot was heard from
an unknown vessel Then the admiral
formed III battle line and replied to
the iife, afterward continuing bis yoy-
age.
Prince KeretelIi added that tie Rus
slams feaf'ed The strange torpedo boats
we're Japanese, as the admiral was
asiare that The Japafiese had purchased
such boats ifa England:
Is learned that three other Russian
siiafships have anchored III Arosa Bay