The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1904-10-28
FIRED TO SAVE HIS FLEET
RUSSIAN ADMIRAL CLAIMS He
WAS ATTACKED BY TORPEDO
BOATS IN NORTH SEA.

ST. Petersburg. Oct. 2S.--Vice Ad.
miral Rojestvensky's explanation OF
the trawler incident is fully as sensa-
tional as the news OF the firing upon
the fishing fleet which set all England
alame. He declares he was attacked
in the darkness by two torpedo boats
which came upon the squadron from
the direction of the fishing fleet. He
opened fire and believes he sank one
of the .orbedo boats. the other making
off for cover among the fishermen.
AS soon as he noticed the fishermen
Admiral RojeStyensky ceased firing.
He proceeded on his way without leav-
Ing any vessel behind and says he be-
lieves the vessel which the fishermen
reported remained on the scene for
six hours without Offering succor TO
the drowning was the other torpedo
boat, either waiting for her consort or
repairing damages inflicted by the fire
of his ships.
In concluding his telegram Admiral
Rojestvensky expressed In the most
warm hearted way the regrets of the
whole squadron to the fishermen who
had suffered and to the families of the
victims.
ROjestvenskys report was tele-
graphed from Vigo direct to the en-
peror. 1t was communicated to Brit.
ish Ambassador Hardinge by Foreign
Minister Lamsdorff himself 1t is
pointed out that the original version OF
the incident as recited by the captain
of the trawler Moulmein coincides
closely with Rojestvensky's
Captain Saw Torpedo Boats.
The captain said that while the
squadron was passing he suddenly
noticed two torpedo boats, which ap-
preached SO near that he thought they
intended boarding him, when they
sheered off, heading back for the
squadron, Almost Immediately after
the squadron opened fire. According to
Rojestvensky report 1t Is specifically
stated that there were no torpedo
boats with the squadron when the in
cident occurred. If this is true the
statement of the captain of the Moul-
mein would completely corroborate
Rojestvensky.
In view OF the entirely new complex
ion placed upon the incident by Ro-
jestvensky's report 1T lis readily con-
ceivable that Russia may make repre-
the whole course of exchanges be-
tween the two governments regarding
the affair may be altered.
Rojestvensky's version Is likely to
create quite as much indignation in
Russia as the fishermen's version did
in England. Further inquiry would
seem to be indispensable In order to
definitely establish to the satisfaction
of both governments that there has
been no mistake. III it is conclusively
proved that couple of torpedo boats
launched an attack upon the Russian
squadron from the English shores or
from the shelter Of the English fishing
feet there is no doubt that the British
government will promptly denounce
this outrage and use every effort to
punish the offenders.
Rojestvensky refers to and replies
specifically to the reports in the Brit |
ish press, showing that he had the
press accounts before him when he
wrote hts report. Some of his lam
guage is sarcastic, especially when
speaking Of the appearance Of the
torpedo boats from the direction of the |
British fishermen, conveying an inti-
nation which certainly will arouse re-
sentiment In England.