The Bourbon news., 1904-10-28
Adm. Rojestyensky Mistook the
Fishing Ships For Torpedo
Boats and Fired.
RUSSIA'S REPLY Unsatisfactory
British War Vessels at Gibraltar
Have Been Ordered Ready For
Sea at Moments Notice.
The Cars Baltic Squadron Is Expect
ed to Pass Through the Straits
on the Way to Suez, and
May Be Stopped.

Madrid, Oct 27.-A telegram from
Vigo to the Correspondence says:
Officers of the Russian squadron
give the following explanation of the
North Sea incident: While steam
ing by night they saw two torpedo
boats within the lines of the squadron.
Supposing Japanese attack was i'm
pending, they opened fire. They say
they did not see any sailors looking
like fishermen aboard the two boats
fired at. The officers say they do not
know if any members of the crew
were wounded. They express regret
at the occurrence"
VigO, Spain, Oct. 27.-A representa-
tive of the press succeeded in obtain
ing an interview with Adm. Rojest-
vensBy, who expressed great regret
over the North Sea incident.
The admiral stated that the unfor-
tunate occurrence was purely acci-
dental. The weather on the night in
question was rather haZy. About 1
a. m. two torpedo boats, which the
Russians supposed were Japanese
craft, suddenly appeared between the
two divisions of the squadron and
seemed to discharge torpedoes. The
Russians Immediately opened fire.
They saw no fishermen, and were not
aware that any damage had been done.
Evidently, the admiral said, the fish
ermen had shown no lights. The adj
miral reported that he greatly regret
ted that any injury had been done
fishermen and added that he had no
doubt the Russian government would
make ample compensation.
Vigo, Spain, Oct 27.-It is learned
that three Russian warships have an
chored in Arosa bay. The government
has refused them permission to coal
in Spanish waters. The Spanish war
ships Marques de la Victoria and Vas
co Nunez de Balboa are keeping watch
along the coast. The authorities have
ordered that all fishing boats shall
fly the national flag in order to avoid
a repetition Of the Dogger bank Incl
dent.
London, Oct. 27.-There is no sign
as to when Adm. Rojestvensky's re-
port will be made public, but if unofi
cial reports should turn out to reflect
the admiral's official report, it is evil
dent the Russian officers made an ex-
traordinary blunder in mistaking
trawlers for torpedo boats and fired
on their phantom foes. This astonish-
ing explanation is regarded here as
not fitting with the state of panic sug-
gested as having prevailed among the
officers of the Baltic fleet, and in that
case, it is suggested, the Russian gov
ernment should find no difficulty in
removing and furnishing the officers
responsible.
The newspapers Thursday morning
evince more heat and impatience than
heretofore at Russia's delay, which is
considered absolutely indefensible in
the present circumstances.
Ambassador Benckendorff's tenta-
tive communication to Foreign Minis
ter Lansdowne Wednesday and the
fact that this was regarded as unsatis-
factory only served to infiame the pub
lie mind; and while official circles are
giving intimations that it is their con-
fident belief the whole matter will be
satisfactorily arranged, ii, is now quite
evident that only short time will be
allowed Russia in which to give final
and complete assurances of her inten-
tion to comply with any and all de-
mands Great Britain may make within
| reason.
Gibraltar, Oct. 27.-The battleships
Victorious, Illustrious and Majestic
| (fagship of Vice Adm. Beresford) and
the cruisers Lancaster, Theseus and
Endymion, are under orders to sail on
the morning of October %. 1t is re-
ported that the purpose is to shadow
the Russian Baltic squadron, which is
expected to go by way of the Cape Of
Good Hope.
The Russian Baltic squadron's cruis-
ers and torpedo boats are expected to
pass through the Straits of Gibraltar
on the way to Suez. The whole of the
Gibraltar torpedo f1otilla has been COM
missioned.
The ships of the channel fleet have
filed their bunkers with coal and re-
plenished their ammunition and other
stores and will be ready for sea at
moments notice. The battleship Han
nibal and the cruiser Doris are watch
ing the straits closely. There is great
! activity at the dock yard, where men
| are working night and day. The ad-
miralty is making inquiries concern
ing the coal available here.
| ------
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