The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-28

.Sptcta! Cable Dispatches 10 THR sun
ST PETERSBURG, Oct. 27.--The report of
Admiral Rojestvensky, commanding the
Baltic fleet, has been received here. He de-
clares that his ships were approached from
the vicinity Of the British fishing vessels
by two steamships moving at a high rate of
speed and resembling torpedo boats. He
concluded that they we're Japanese.
The two boats, the Admiral says, ad-
vanced to attack the foremost Russian
cruiser. which at once fired upon them.
The report adds that when the two supposed
torpedo vessels retreated among the fishing
feet the Russian fire ceased.
The boats upon which the Russian feet
fred were Enthusiastically Of the warship
type, says the Admiral. One he believes
was sunk and the other seriously injured
Rojestvensky declares that he had no
Intention Of firing upon any trawier. and
that il any was hit it was by n stray shot
and was accidental.
The Admiral emphatioally denies that
Russian warship remained behind six
hours and did not assist the injured All
the Russian fleet steamed away together,
be says.
He declares, further. that his officers
we're tot ally ignorant that any trawler had
been struck, and expresses extreme regret
for himself and for every man In his feet
that any one was injured He asks what
the warship was that was noticed near
the scene.
An officer Of the Admiralty announced
this afternoon that Admiral Rojestvensky
aflrms that, there were no torpedo boats
with the Russian squadron on the Dogger
Bank and that tho two torpedo boats mem
toned in English reports as having ap-
preached and been seen by the fishermen
before the Russian ships opened fire were
either Japanese or En- glsh.
The fact that the report apparently was
written after the Russian commander had
seen the ngltsh and other accounts Of the
affair causes comment
Although Admiral Rolestvensky's report
has not been publshed In official form,
tho accounts received from officials to-day
Are bslisved tosbe substantially accurate.
II 10 hsreAoubted that the Admirable
version Is trua. Admiral wirenius, Chief
M the Naval Stat. told inquirera that It
has impossible that Admiral Rojestvensky
bad made . mistake concerning the pres
snoe Of torpedo boats. The Foreign Off1oe
officials arc Of the came opinion.
Tho negotiations with Great Britain are
continuing. Nothing can DO learned here
Of any ultimatum. The oflo ials Of the
Foreign ofioe point out that 1t would be
host unfair to expect Russia to act before
The learned The precise facts from the
officers Of the squadron. Now that Ad-
khiral Rojestvensky's explanation has been
teoeived, 1t will naturally and necessarily
Involve an inquiry, at which both nations
presumably win b represented
Foreign Minister Lamsdorn 10 quoted 40
psyins that he courts fun inquiry at Wgo
the Laws Of neutrality win allow the ships
b stay long enough.
LONDON, Dot. 27--A despatch from Wgo
says that Russian oficer Of the feet there
has given q description Of the encounter Of
the Baltic feet and the British trawiers In
the North Sea. he said:
Tho transport AnAdul. which was ahead
OF tho feet. dgnalled at midnight that q
number Of vessels, evidently Japanese
torpedo boats, were interoepting her.
THE Admiral signalled to the vessels.
asking their nationality and ordering them
to get out Of the way. Instead Of obeying
the vessels moved In front of the warships
and fired one shot. The Admiral then
ordered his ships to open fire.
1t will be remembered that the trawlers,
when approached by the Russian ships,
sent up bomb rocket This Is probably