Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-10-27
HE FEARED ATTACK
Rojestvensky's Fleet Fired on
 Phantom Destroyers.
"IT WAS PURELY ACCIDENTAL

I'll WAo PUhEL1 AUOlUEN l AL. Astonishing Explanation of Russian Commander Regarded as Show
 ing Fear and Panic Tn Fleet.
 England Preparing.
 LONDON, Oct 27.--A dispatch from Vigo, Spain, says that the Russian Bal. tic squadron arrived there yesterday The first division, consisting of five battleships, entered the port at 10 a. m. Later Admiral Rojestvensky, accompa- nied by the commanders of the vessels ed the military governor and afterward called on the French consul and on the commandant of the port
 In an interview Admiral Rojestven- sky expressed great regret over the North sea incident. The admiral stated that the unfortunate occurrence was purely accidental. The weather the night in question was rather hazy. About 8. 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. Evi- dently, the admiral said, the fishermen had shown no lights The admiral repeated that he greatly regretted that any injury had been done fishermen and added that he had no doubt the Russian government would make ample compensation.
 Officers of the Russian squadron give the following explanation Of the North sea incident: While steaming by night lines of the squadron. Supposing a Japanese attack was impending, they opened fire. They say they did not see any sailors looking like fishermen aboard the two boats fired at. The off, .fcers said they do not know If any members of the crews were wounded. They express regret at the error.
 The Russian reply to Great Britain's note on the subject of the North sea tragedy has been received by the Brit ish government. It expresses deep re- SANl &t lk4E NNNAAASA$S AAAA RAOAA1OS5 full reparation so soon as an official re- port is received from Vice Admiral Ro- jestvensky.
 That Great Britain is dissatisfied with the reply of the Russian government to the protest of England against the att tack by the Baltic fleet on the trawlers has been made more apparent when it was learned that Foreign Secretary Lansdowne will insist that Russia pledge herself to punish most severely the officers responsible for the attack on the fishing fleet.
 Warlike preparations are being con- tinued in England. Fleets are being mobilized, warships rushed to compile ton, and Premier Balfour, with Lord Selborne, first lord of the admiralty; Captain Louis of Battenberg, the di- rector of naval intelligence, all mem- bers of the defense committee, have held long conference
 Intense interest is felt in London over the report that Russia is taking steps to sound the continental govern ments as to whether objections will be raised if Russia approaches the sultan with view to obtaining his consent to the passage of the Black sea fleet through the Dardanelles. It was stated that as matters stand at present Great Britain certainly would not acquiesce in any such arrangement.
 The missing trawler Sylvia is report ed at the Orkneys in good condition, thus contradicting the report that she had been sunk by the Baltic fleet.
 A Gibraltar report says that the bat tleships Victorious, Illustrious and Ma jestic, flagship of Vice Admiral Beres- ford, and the cruisers Lancaster, The seus and Endymion are under orders to sail tomorrow morning. It is report ed that the purpose is to shadow the Russian Baltic squadron, which is ex- pected to go by way of the Cape of Good Hope.
 The Russian Baltic squadfons cruis- CTS and torpedo boats are expected to pass through the straits of Gibraltar on the way to Suez. The whole of the Gibraltar torpedo boat Hotilla has been commissioned.
 The ships of the channel fleet are ready to sail at moments notice. The battleship Hannibal and the cruiser Doris are watching the straits closely.
 The astonishing explanation of the Russian admiral is regarded here as not fitting i'll 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 re- moving and punishing the officers re- sponsible.
 The newspapers this morning evince more heat and impatience than hereto fore at Russia's delay, which is con- sidered absolutely indefensible in the present circumstances.
 It is understood that the British goy- ernment has notified St. Petersburg that acquiescence in it's demands must be forthcoming by this (Thursday) aft ernoon.
 Failing this, the channel fleet will, it is understood, be instructed to ask the Baltic fleet to return. Should the Rus Sia n admiral raf1IsQ if Is exnectnd fha