Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-07-11
BATTLESHIP
SURRENDERED
Mutinous Russian Sailors Turn Over
the kniaz Potemkine to the Az.
thorities Of Rdumania.
ADMIRAL KRUGER IS IN CHARGE
Ship That Was the Terror Of Black
Sea Sails for Russia-Japs Cap.
ture Sakhalin.

Kustenji, Roumania, July 9.-Admlr.
al Kruger this afternoon boarded and
took possession Of the Russian bat
tleship Kniaz Potemkine, King Char
les of Roumania having sent instruc-
tions to the commander of the Rou-
manian squadron that the vessel be de-
livered to the Russian authorities
without raising any difficulties.
The torpedo boat which accompan.
led the Kniaz P6otemkine, however,
left for Odessa without surrendering,
declaring that she had not mutineed,
but that the Kniaz Potemkine had fore.
ed her to follow.
Admiral Kruger arrived with his
squadron this morning and after ex-
changing the customary salutes init
mated that he had come to arrange
for the transfer of the Kniaz Potem.
kline. Admiral Koslinsky, command
er of the Roumanian squadron, board
ed the Russian battleship Tscheme
and informed Admiral Kruger that
King Charles had ordered him to turn
the vessel over to me Russian admir-
al. The formalities of the transfer
were completed this afternoon and
Admiral Kruger boarded the Kniaz
Potemkine.
The Associated Press representa-
tive inspected the Kniaz Potemkine
after the withdrawal of the Rouman-
ian guard. Despite the efforts Of the
Roumanians to get things in ship
shape, everything aboard the battle
ship was in state of wild disorder.
The officers cabins were stripped of
everything Of any value, and blood
stains were everywhere, There was
sufficient ammunition aboard the
Kniaz Potemkine to have enabled the
mutineers to make desperate re-
sistance.
It is said that during the last few
days the vessel was navigated by two
engineers and an officer with revolv-
ers at their heads.
All of the sailors wished to surren-
der with the exception of Matuschen-
ko, the leader Of the mutiny, who
resisted for some time and wanted to
blow up the ship.
Seven officers were prisoners aboard
the Kniaz Potemkine. They were in
a pitiable condition from i'll treat
ment. They declare that Matuschen.
ko himself killed ten officers Of the
battleship.
All the papers and books belonging
to the vessel were destroyed.
It appears that the decision to sur
render the Kniaz Potemkine was made
when it became evident that no other
vessels would join in the mutiny. The
unaware of the surrender of the Geor.
81 Pobied0nosetz, and expected that
she was also coming to Kustenji to
capitulate to ROumania. Twenty ar.
rested sailors from the Kniaz Potem.
kline have applied to the Russian con.
sui here to be sent back to Russia.
The crew of the torpedo boat No
267 we're given half an hour in which
to surrender or leave port.
A considerable number of the crew
of the Kniaz POtemkine surrendered
to the Russian squadron, alleging that
they had acted under compulsion.
The coal supply of the mutinous
battleship was nearly exhausted, but
there was ample food on board. A
Russian priest after the transfer held
service of publication ON board the
Kniaz Potemkine, sprinkling the yes
sci and her flags with holy water
Admiral Krugers squadron, which
brought a crew for the Kniaz Potem
kline. sailed with her for Russia this
evening.