Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-14
THE INQUIRY
Nearly Over in the North
Sea Incident.
The Russians Claim a Most
Signal Victory.
Claim Made That the Incident Was De.
plorable-The Evidence.

Paris. Feb. 13.-The international
commission which is inuuirine into the
Nofth SEA- incident. today. heard the
conclusloHS of the British ana Rms
sian agents upon the testimony nrr-
Sented
TIE session was largely attended by
members of the diplomatic corps. in
lddims Ambassador Porter and sever
Ill members OF the japanese legation
Il WAS expected that the TWO agents
would reach an agreement upon Il
number of points involved. but the
pleadingS showed that on the main
Issues they were not reconciled The
british conclusion maintained that the
testimony showed that no torpedo
boats We're present ana thatthereiure
tie firing WIS unJuStiiabl" whereas
the Russian conclusion held that the
testimony showed that torpedo boats
Wcr present ana that the firing was
warranted. However. the Russian
statement closed with Il declaration o.
profound regret 1T the fact that inno-
cent lives had been sacrificed and an
nourced the gallantncsS of the Rus
Slams 10 pay III indemnity to the sur
leaving the amount and partition of Tho
Indemnity "a The Hague Tribunal.
IN incident occurred when the Rus
sian agent. NJ. Nekliedor. pointed out
that the British statement referred TO
the commission as Il court" where two
governments should expressly agree
upon it being commission of inquiry"
but not Il court" rhereupon the Brit
ish agent. Mir. O'Berne. withdrew the
use of the word court" The Incl lent
was taken to indicate the restricted ma
ture Of the commissions inquiry.
First-that no torpedo Loats or tOrpe-
do boat destroyers mere in the vicini-
" of the incident as shown by the
declarations Of the Russians and tn
official statamcrts Of Various govern
mentS that 10 torpedo boats belonging
10 their fleets were in that neighbour
hood anG thai therefore the Russians
made a mistake largely Us the result OF
apprehension That an attack was about
10 occur.
Second-tha. fle WAS opened without
sufficient reason and vas continued for
an unreasonable time Ifte" the mistake
had been detected.
Third-tha no effort was made to
succor the sinking ships OF wounded
Fourth-that not tn slightest irregu-
.arity was shown in the tol'duCt Of The
innocent fishing fleet.
Tie Russian summary after setting
for their justification under four heads.
concludes as follows.
THE imperial resolution government
therefore maintains that the fire OF the
!iussian squadron was ordered and exc
Gated in the legitimate accomplishment
If tn" military duties OF the comnan-
Ger Of The squadron. Consequently ~
responsibility whatever is chargeable
against Vice ACmirdl Rojestvensky or
any of the officers Of the squadron.
''rhe imprrili government sincerely
lenloreS that the in,'idei,t resulted a.
innocent victims and therefore the nd
MiraI's responsibility being eliminated.
the Russian government expresses its
:. address, to make rcI.,l alton by in
Identifying ~ innocent Victims, defer
ring The amount and lu!tition Of the
to the permanent tribunal
OF arbitration The Hague"
ToGlyS session practically closed tn"
work of tn" commission until 4 deci-
sion is reach" when Admiral Fournie:'
one prr.ilrn, nf the colnmisson) i'll
lnrnt." The aG,uirIlS III the meantime
will hold daily l.; wat" 81 sSions to de
liheratr upon the decision. 1t Is expect
"A Init some days Will clapsc before
iofinitc result: are reached.