Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-03-02
cumStanceS.

Paris, February 25.-The decision OF
the International Commission OF inquiry
into the North Sea incident was publicly
announced at the closing session of the
commission today. The decision engthily
sets forth the circumstances and incidents
kand gives the opinion of the Admirals on
the various important points involved.
The decision says the delay Of the Rus
sian transport Kamschatka following the
breakdown of her machinery was perhaps
the cause of the incident. The comman'
der of the KamsChatka signalled to Ad-
miral Roiestyensky during the evening
that he had been attacked by torpedo
boats. The Admiral, therefore, bad rea-
son to believe he might be attacked and
gaye orders for strict vigilance against the
possible approach of torpedo boats.
ORDERS NOT EXCESSIVE.
The majority of the commission con-
siders that Admiral Rojestvensky's orders
were not excessive in time of war, particu'
larly under the circumstances, and thai
he had every reason to consider the sltua'
ton very alarming.
"The commissioners, the decision says
s'recognize unanimously that the fishing
feet committed no hostile act, and the
4 majority of the commissioners being OF the
opinion that there were not, neither among
the fishing boats nor in their vicinity any
torpedo boats, the opening Of fire by Ad-
miral Roiestvensky was not justified" >"
The decision further says the Russian
commissioner did not share in the latter
opinion.
''In any event." the decision continues,
"the commissioners are glad to recognize
unanimously that Adm.~al Rojestvensky
personally did all he could from the COM
mencement to the end to prevent tht
trawlers from being the object of fire by
the Russian squadron.
LEAVING TRAVELLERS TO THEIR FATB.
Concerning the squadron's proceeding
without assisting the damaged travellers
the decision says:
1.-THE commissioners are unanimous, un
der the circumstances preceding and fol
lowing the incident, that there was sucf
uncertainty concerning the danger to th'
squadron as to warrant Admiral Rojest
yensky in continuing bis route.
"However, the majority regrets tba
the Admiral did not inform the neighbor
ing maritime powers of what had occur
red"
The decision concludes as follows:
"The commissioners declare that thei
views as formulated are not of nature Il
cast any disrespect upon the military valo
nor upon the sentiments Of humanity o
Admiral Rojestvensky and the personnel
his squadron.
Other interesting features ofthe decision
are as follows:
''Admiral Rojestvensky, after leavinI
Reval took the greatest precautions to pre-
pare bis vessel to repulse torpedo attacl
during the night, whether sailing or at an
chor. Reports of Russian agents regard
ing possible torpedo boat attacks scenes
to5ustify these.
y "The evidence of British witnesses prov
ed that the trawlers carried regulation
lights, followed the usual fishing rules ant
> we're directed by their commodore b,
4 means of conyential rockets.
"The leading divisions of the squadron
including Admiral Vorlkersam's passes
the trawlers unsuspectiDgly. Admirs
Rojestvensky's division, the last, notices
green flares, really fishing signal, whicI
created alarm, and then observed yesse
topping The waves. Admiral Rojestyens
Ky ordered his ships to open fire on tn
result Of Which rests bis responsibility"