The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-02-26
FINDINGS OF COMMISSION Verdict in Famous North
 Sea Affair. ENGLAND IS SUSTAINED Firing by R0jestvensky is
 Unjustifiable. Russian Admiral Not Blamed for BeInp in Readiness, However, md txs
 Reflections Are Made
 Against Him.

cision of the international commissiou of inquiry into the North Sea incident was publicly announced at tho closing session of the commission today. The decision lengthily sets forth the cir- cumstances and incidents and gives tho opinion of the admirals on the various important incidents involved. The de- cision says the delay of the Russian transport Kamschatka following the breakdown of her machinery was per- haps the cause of the incident. The commander of the Kamschatka sig nailed to Admiral Rojestvensky dur ing the evening that he had been att tackled by torpedo boats. The Admirax therefore had reason to believe he was attacked and gave order for strict wig ilance against the possible approach os torpedo boats.
 The majority of the commission con- siders that Admiral Rojestvensky's or- ders were not excessive in lieu of war, particularly under the circumstances and that he had every reason to con sider the situation very alarming.
 The commission" the decision says. recognizes unanimously that the fisll- Ing fleet committed no hostile act and the majority of the commissioners be-s ing of the. opinion were not, neither among the fishing boats nor in their vicinity any torpedo boats. the openinn of fire by Admiral Rojestvensky, was not justified"
 The decision further says the Russ sian commissioners did not share in tie latter opinion. <
 'In any event" the decision contin- ues. the commissioners are glad tvs recognize unanimously that AdniF1 Rojestvenslky personally did all could from the commencement to 3hs end 10 prevent the trawiefs from bs ing the object of the fire by the Rus sian squadron.
 Concerning the squadron's proceed Ing without assisting the dAnasei traw1ers the decision says
 The commissioners are uhanin1ou that under the circumstances preeed iisg and following the incident tha there was such uncertainty conceEffue the danger to the squadron as to Yar. rant Admiral Rojestvensky in contin- uing his route.
 However the majority regrets that the admiral did not inform the neigh boring maritime powers of what had occurred"
 The decision concludes as follows: The commissioners declare that theiF views as formulated are not of a nae ture to cast any disrespect on the miI~ itary valor nor upon the sentiments oe humanity of Admiral Rojestvensky and the personnel of his squadron
 Other Features.
 Other interesting features of the de- cision are as follows:
 Admiral RoJestvensky after leaving Reval took the greatest precautions to prepare his vessels to repuIse for-s pedo attack during the night, whether sailing or at anchor. The reports of Russian agents regarding possible tor- pedo attacks seemed to justify the dl- rection the Russian squadron followed as calculated to bring the last two dI- visions, as events proved. in proximity with the customary fishing ground of the Hull trawlers, numbering about thirty and spreading over several miles.
 The evidence of British witnesses proved that the trawlers carried regu- lation lights, followed the usual fishing rules and were directed by their com modore by means of conventional rock cts.
 The leading divisions of the sauad- ron, including Admiral Voelkersan1s, s, passed the trawlers unsuspeettnNly. Admiral Rojestvensky's division, the last, noticed flares, really fishIng sig. nal. which created alarm. and then ob- served vessel topping the waves. Ad- miral Rojestvenslxy ordered his ships to open fire, on the result of which rcsts his responsibility.
 The admirals signed the document in the following order: VonSpaun. Four nier, Doubassoff, Beaumont and Davis
 The closing session of the Commission pr resented a brilliant scene. The spa cious salon office was crowded with prominent officials, members of the dip. lomatic corps, including the Russian, British and American Ambassadors, members of the Japanese Legation, the army and navy, judges of the highest French courts and the wives and other relatives of members of the commits sion. Contrary to expectation the ad- miraIs forming the commission did not wear full uniforms. but dressed in an ordinary civilian dress.
 Admiral Fournier, president of the commission, read the decision amid an impressive silence, the spectators following it minutely.
 A COmpr0mIse.
 The general impression among the audience was that the decision was majority approved the British conten- ton that no torpedo boats attacked Admiral Rojestvensky's squadron and therefore his opening fire was not jus tiffed and that the majority also ap- proved the Russian contention that Aa- miral Rojestvensky acted according to his belief even though mistaken and that Cnerefore this acton old not re- fleet upon his military valor or senti- ments of humanity.
 Admiral Fournier closed the com mission with a speech of thanks t0 its members. He said that each of them would return to his country bear- ing as a recompense for his labors the legitimate satisfaction of duty wel1 accomplished. They left behind them profound impression of esteem for the way in which the difncuIt task had been performed.
 A significant exchange of rentarls was made by Sir Edward Fry. repre- senting Great Britain and Boron Tauba representing Russia Both spoke in the most amicable spirit and eulogizsd the arbitration.
 Sir Edward said; This is one of before an international court. An the most important events ever hrought
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