Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-11-03
SAW NO FISHERMEN?
Russian Admiral Supposed He Was
Firing on Japanese Boats.
PURELY ACCIDENTAL, He CLAIMS.


Vigo, Spain, Oct. 7.-The Associated
press has succeeded in obtaining ar
interview with Admiral Rojestvensky
who expressed great regret over the
North sea incident The admiral
stated that the unfortunate occurrence
was purely accidental. The weather
on the night in question was rather
hazy. About one a. m. two torpedo
boats which the Russians supposed
were Japanese craft suddenly ap-
peared between the two divisions OF
the squadron and seemed to discharge
torpedoes. The Russians Immediate
ly opened fire. They saw no fisher
men and were not aware that any
damage had been done. Evidently,
the admiral said, the fishermen had
shown no lights. The admiral re-
peated that he greatly regretted that
any injury had been done fishermen
and added that he had no doubt the
Russian government would make am
pie compensation.
Prince Keretelli, an officer Of the
battleship Emperor Alexander ILL.,, has
been interviewed and gives the fol-
lowing explanation Of the attack by
the Baltic squadron upon the British
trawlers of Dogger bank:
"The- transport Anatol. which was
steaming ahead Of the squadron, was
suddenly surrounded by eight torpedo
boats, and requested assistance,
whereupon the battleship division ad-
vanced and signalled to the unknown
vessels to leave or disclose their ma
tionality. The vessels refused TO
obey and advanced among the Russian
battleships. Suddenly cannon lot
was heard from an unknown vessel.
Then the admiral formed in battle line
and replied to the fire, afterwards
continuing his voyage"
Prince Keretelll added that the Rus
SLAMS feared the strange torpedo boats
were Japanese, as the admiral was
aware that the Japanese had pur-
chased such boats in England.
Entered Spanish Port tn Coal.
Vigo, Spain, Oct. 27.-The arrival Of
the Russian battleships Emperor AL
exander ILL.,, BorodlnO. Orel and
Kniazsoroff and the transport Anatol,
which have anchored in this port, has
caused considerable excitement The
commander of the port Immediately
boarded the Russian flagship and in
formed Admiral Rojestvensky that
the Spanish government could not
permit the warships to coal within
the port Admiral Rojestvensky re-
piled that his vessels needed repairs
and that for that reason he had sep
arated from the remainder Of his
squadron. The commander of the
port promised to inform the Spanish
government of the admirals state
ment and communicate the govern
ment's reply as soon as 1t was re-
ceived. In spite of this Ave German
colliers anchored in port alongside
The battleships, whereupon the COM
nander of the port sent an aide de
amp to beg Admiral Rojestvensky
not to violate Spanish neutrality and
he also ordered the commanding officer
II the Spanish cruiser Stramadura
o notify the golfers that they must
'bey the port authorities Eventually
admiral Rojestvensky promised that
le would not coal in Spanish waters,
It the same time begging the COM
nander Of the port to obtain the gov.
permission for each warship ,
o take on 400 tons of coal with which
o reach Tangier. Shortly after ,
wards three GOLFERS sailed for Tan
der, but two remained alongside the
Russian warships.
During the afternoon Admiral Ro-
accompanied by the COM
handlers of his battleships, visite ] ,
he military governor, the French ,
onsul and the commander Of the
'ort, receiving the usual honors.
-.