Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-10-25
GREAT BRITAIN SENDS NOTES TO
RUSSIA REGARDING ATTACK
ON FISHERMEN.
OUTRAGE INEXCUsABLE
No Details Have Been Received at ST.
Petersburg, and Censor Muzzles the
Press-Much Excitement in England
Over Attack on Fishing Fleet.

Over Attack on Fishing Fleet.
London, Oct. 24.-The British
government this afternoon sent
urgent notes of protest to the Rus
Sian government on the subject of
the Russian attack on the British
fishing fleet in the North Sea,
through both Ambassador Hard
inge and the, Russian ambassador
In London.
st. Petersburg, Oct. 24.-At the
foreign office the sinking of the
British fishing vessels Is depIcred.
Instructions were sent this after
noon to the charge d. affairs in
London to express to the British
government the intense regret and
grief with which the reports have
been received. 1t was also decided
to prepare semi-official note ex-
pressing the regret of the govern
ment and its willingness to make
full reparation as soon as the re-
sponsibiIity Is fixed This step,
showing the attitude to the gov
ernment it is hoped, will modify
the opinion of the British govern
ment and the public and pave the
way to honorable diplomatic ad-
justments.
London, Oct. 24-Foreign Secretary
Lansdowne arrived in London from
the country this afternoon and until
then no official action was taken in
regard to the North Sea incident, in
which the Russian second Pacific
squadron sank one or more British
fishing boats and killed or wounded
several fishermen. While public opin-
Ion insists that the fullest reparat1on
be made there is no evidence Of undue
excitement or of any belief that inter
national complications will arise. The
foreign Office this morning was
crowded with seafaring people who
were exhaustively examined by OFF,
cials to secure facts on which Lans-
downe based his protest later in the
day.
People of Hull Indignant.
London, Oct. .24.-The mayor of Hull
telegraphed today to Premier Balfour
that the greatest indignation prevails
there and appeals to the government
to take the speediest and strongest
measures to insure full redress and
complete security against further Rus
sian outrages.
Russia Not Informed.
st. Petersburg, Oct. 24.-No official
information from Vice Admiral Rojest
vensky, commander OF the second Pa
cific squadron, or from other Russian
sources had reached the authorities
up to 2 p. M in regard to the firing by
squadron upon the British fishing
boats early Saturday in the North Sea
Censor Prevents Publication.
The authorities are dumbfounded by
the press reports of the affair and
cannot credit them as presented. Fol
this reason the censor today declined
to allow the publication of the foreign
accounts of the affair.
Russia Will Apologize.
In the highest quarters, where the
reports were circulated, the gravity o1
the affair is fully realized and the Incl
dent is greatly deplored. That Russia
will offer apologies and reparation and
make honorable amends admits of nc
doubt, but with the inflamed state o.
public opinion in Great Britain it Is
recognized that the situation may be
come acute and the cool heads among
the British statesmen must proceed
calmly. Everything will depend OF
the character of the British demands
Russians at cherbourg.
Cherbourg, Oct. 24.-The advance
guard of the Russian second Pacific
squadron, consisting of the torpedo
boats, is in the outer harbor here. The
main squadron is expected here but II
Is uncertain whether the warships will
enter the harbor. The vessels which
first arrived here were not with the
larger ships when the latter fired or
the British fishing boats in the North
sea and therefore it is impossible tt
obtain the Russian version of the af
lair.
Guard Is Strict.
The torpedo boats are surrounded
by guard boats and the utmost vigi
lance Is maintained owing to the fears
of the Japanese ships being in the
channel No person is permitted OF
them and no person is allowed to come
ashore except the postman.
News Reaches Washington.
Washington, Oct. 24.-Oficial news
Of the action of the Russian Baltic sea
fleet in firing on the British fishins
vessels was received at Washington to
day in a cablegram to the state de
partment from the American consul a
Hull. He recites the facts as stated
In the press dispatches and added tina
great excitement prevailed there.
Interest Aroused in Paris.
Paris, Oct. 24.-The North sea Incl
dent has aroused intense interest here
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