Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-10-27
RoJEsTYENsKY EXPLAINS.

Vigo, Spain, has caused considerable
excitement The commander of the
port Immediately boarded the Russian
flagship and informed Admiral Rojest-
vensky that the Spanish government
could not permit the warships to coal
within the port. Admiral Rojestvensky
replied that his vessels needed repairs,
and for that reason he had separated
from the remainder of the squadron.
The commander of the port promised to
inform the Spanish government of the
admiraPs statement and comm unicate
the governments reply as soon as it was
received.
In spite of this FIVE German colliers
anchored in port alongside the battle.
ships, whereupon the commander Of the
port sent an aid-de-camp to beg Ad-
miral Rojestvensky not to violate Span
ish 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-
veusky promised that he would not coal
in Spanish waters, at the same time
begging the commander of the port to
obtain the governments permission for
each warship to take on 400 tons OF coal
with which to reach Tangier. Shortly
afterward three colliers sailed for Tan
gier, but two remained alongside the
Russian warships.
During the afternoon Admiral Rojest-
vensky, accompanied by the command
ers of his battleships, visited the mill
tary governor. the French consul and
the commander of the port, receiving the
usual honors.
Admiral Rojestyensky declares that
the North Sea incident was unavoidable.
Before leaving Libad, the admiral says,
he announced that be would take strin-
gent measures against any vessel ap-
preaching the feet,
The weather on the night in question
was rather hazy. About a. N. two
torpedo boats, which the Russians sup
posed we're japanese craft, suddenly ap'
peared between the two divisions OF the
squadron and seemed to discharge tor
pedoes. The Russians Immediately open
ed fire. They saw no fishermen and we're
not aware that any damage had been
done. Evidently, the admiral said, the
fishermen had shown no lights. The adj
miral repeated that he greatly regretted
that any injury had been done fisher
men, and added that he had no doubt
the Russian government would make
ample compensation
Prince Keretelli, an officer of the bat
tleship Alexander ILL.,, gives the follow
ing explanation of the attack by the
Baltic squadron upon the British traw-
lers off Dogger Bank:
THE transport AnatOl, which was
steaming ahead of the squadron, was
suddenly surrounded by eight torpedo
boats and requested assistance, where
upon the battleship division advanced
and signaled to the unknown vessels to
leave or disclose their nationality. The
vessels refused to obey, and advanced
among the Russian battlesbips. Sud-
denly cannon shot was heard from an
unknown vessel. Then the admiral
formed in battle line and replied to the
fire, afterwards continuing his VOYAGE
Prince Keretelli added that the Rus
slams feared the strange torpedo boats
we're japanese, as the admiral was aware
that the japanese had purchased such
boats in England.
As far as can be seen the crews of
the battleships are very uneasy. SEN
tiuels are closely watching every move
ment within the harbor, All four of
the warships seem to be cleared for &C.
ton.
1t is rumored that the object of the
Spanish government in requesting the
Russians to remain the shortest possible
time at Vigo is to prevent the possibility
Of attack by japanese agents, whose
presence in the province of Galicia is
1t is learned that three other Russian
warships have anchored in Arosa bay.
The government has refused them per-
mission to coal in Spanish waters.
The Spanish warships Marques de
a Victoria and Vasso Nunez de Bal
BOA are keeping watch along the coast.
The authorities have ordered that all
ishing boats shall fly the national flag,
n order TO avoid a repetition of the Dog
,er Bank incident.
A dispatch from Madrid says the
Minister of Marine confirms the re-
port of the arrival of q Russian
cruiser at Villagarcia. The min
ster has received a telegram from |
he authorities at Vigo to the ef- |
ect that two of the Russian battle
hips nowhere have sustained damages
which will render it impossible for them
o leave port within the prescribed "a
hours, The minister will discuss the
questions with Foreign Minister San Pc.
lro and give such orders as he may con-
ider right He declares that he will
lot authorize the coaling ofRussian war
hips in Spanish ports.
The Russian collier Kniaz Gortschak-
.otf is still anchored in the roadstead al
'rest, France, awaiting orders. Her
has been strictly forbidden
D communicate with shore or receive
lists.
LongrOrth Powers, the sculptor, son Of the
tie Hiram Powers, the American sculptor,
led in Florence, Italy, yesterday.