Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-10-28


Commanding Baltic heet.l
boats are badly damaged the Mino
having sixteen shot holes in her hull.
1t is reported that other fishing boats
were damaged.
Eighteen wounded men from the fish
ing fleet are being treated at Hull.
According to other reports, the affair
occurred 200 miles off Spurn head. The
Russian ships were steaming in line.
The leading ships passed without Incl
dent, though most of the vessels turned
searchlights OH the trawlers long
enough to prevent any mistake as to
identity.
After the bulk of the squadron had
passed it opened fire, nearly all partic-
ipating in the firing. The Crane was
struck below the water line and raked
above deck. Skipper Smith and Third
Hand Leggott had their heads carried
clean away by shot, many of the
crew being seriously wounded.
The bombardment lasted about TWEEN
ty minutes. When it had ceased the
feet sailed southwark, and some of the
trawlers sent up rockets. The Moul-
meln steered in the direction of the
rockets. Soon cries were heard, and
the Crane was found sinking, with an
other trawler taking off some of her
crew. Those seriously injured were
removed to mission ship, and the
bodies of Smith and Leggott were
placed aboard the Moulmein. The 9th
er men with minor injuries We're put
II
Il late hour had not arrived mt Hull.
No motive can be assigned for the
extraordinary procedure of the Russian
warShips.
From interviews with members of
trawler crews it appears that the adj
miral of the fishing fleet burned green
flares to show that they were harmless
/ fishermen, but these signals were ig-
nored.
The London Times editorially ex-
presses the belief that immediate apol-
ogy and reparation will he made by
Russia for the deed committed by the
Baltic fleet.
1t surmises that the Russians were
victims of a disgraceful panic through
mistaking the feet Of British steam
trawlers quietly pursuing their usual
business for a hotilla of japanese tor
pedo boats and destroyers.
at is harder still" the Times SAYS,
'to suppose that officers wearing the
uniform of any civilized power could
suspect that they had been butchering
poor fishermen with guns of Il great
feet and then steam away without en-
deavoriI ! to rescue the victims of
their objectionable mistake"
The government of Great Britain
has sent long and urgent note to the
| Russian government officially detailing
! the circumstance OF the amazing and
unexplained attack by he Russian sec
( onl IA 'ic squadron on British fishing
/ boats iu the North sea. 1t is Officially
/ stated from the foreign office that II
contains the significant announcement
! that the situation is one which. in the
opinion Of his majesty's government,
does not brook delay"
Everywhere there Is evidence OF the
very positive opinion that this is 20
time for the usual diplomatic dilly-
| dallying; that there must be no delay
and no limit set by Russia to her apol-
ogy or the extent of compensation for
sufferers by what King Edward him
self terms 1.-The unwarrantable action"
of the Baltic squadron commanders.
The kings message of sympathy to
the mayor of Hull was as follows:
THE king commands me to say that
! he has heard with profound sorrow Of
l the unwarrantable action which has