The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-23
SERIOUS CHARGES
AGAINST RUSSIA
Evidence is Secured By Under
hand Means
CHARGES OF BRIBERY MADE
Sensational Statements Are Being Pub
lIshed In st. Petersburg Papers
About Torpedo Boats Among
Doseer Bank Ships.
CHARGES OF BRIBERY MADE

London, December THE publieantion
in st. Petersburg of the statement that
Hull fishermen have voluntarily deposed
that foreign torpedo boats were among
the trawlers off Dogger Bank when the
latter were fired upon by the ships of the
Baltic squadron, is probably nothing more
than a repititon of similar statements
emanating from Hull, and appearing in
London papers the last few days.
These are cireumstantial and 1t would
certainly appear that some men of the
Game Cock fleet have made statements
before the Russian consul. The name of
only one of these has been revealed He
is the boatswain of the trawler Ava, and
he said today that he was induced to
make the statement while he was intox-
ieated. lie admits that he received
certain amount of money, but now says
that the statement he made is untrue.
The exact tenor of his statement or any
OF ers has not been revealed.
Secured BY Russian Agent.
All published reports from Hull say pos
itiyely that these statements were secured
by two agents of the Russian government
but the Russian embassy in London to-
night repeated the denial that there is
absolutely no truth in the statement that
any one In any official earaeity or any
one delegated by Russia has been en-
deavoring to secure statements from the
Game Cock fishermen in support of Rus
sia's position before the Paris commis-
sion.
1t was pointed out, however. that al
u, a I'd far
Information, the Russian government was
not responsible for the course taken by
any person desiring to secure the reward.
which would only be paid IN the event
that the information ard that the method
in which il was secured were approved
| by the Russian government and shown to
have been secured from .rreproachable
sources II was positively stated that the
embassy has no knowledge and no infor-
nation tending to support the report OF
the st. Petersburg paper alluded to.
Use Underhand Means.
The sensational press of England di-
reety charges the Russian government
with using underhand means by bribery
and intoxicants. to secure false state
ments from men of the Game Cock fish,
ing fleet
The Russian consul at Hull tonight
said the boatswain of the Ava Was
brought TO his office, but that he sent
him to the commissioner of oaths where
the consul says the boatswain swore he
saw a japanese torpedo boat with the
trawlers. The consul says he knows
other trawlers who are ready to make
similar statements, but that they are
afraid of the consequences The consul
Indignantly denies that he has made any
attempt TO induce fishermen To make
statements. He says that when informed
of the nature of the statement of tho
boatswan Of the Ava II was his duty to
his government to render every assist
ance.
Mystery Surrounds Matter.
Altogether, an air of mystery surrounds
the matter. but no credence I'm RESPONSE
BILE quarters is given to the allegations
that unfair methods have been used BY
the Russian GOV ernment.
One explanation of the whole matter
emanates from Paris where is stated
that two reporters of the Petit Paris
ienne recently visited Hull In order to
interview men Of the Game Cock fleet
and secure important information con-
cerning the Dogger Bank Gffair as none
of the newspaper reporters assume to
Identity the agents" as Russians but
being limited to calling them foreign
| ers employed by the Russian govern
| ment" This is the most probable ex-
| planation of the story. which however,
NAV possibly have a sequel in the tes-
tlmony before the international tribunal
at Paris.