Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-02-25
Decision of the North Sea
ArbitratOrS is a
Compromise.
REBUFF NOT POINTED
Representatives of Two Gov
ernments Exchange AMIGA
Bile Greetings.

Paris, Feb. 25.-The international
commission of inquiry into the North
sea incident publicly announced it's de-
cision at the closing session today.
The commission finds that "the
opening of fire by Admiral Rojestven-
sky was not justified"
The decision lengthily sets forth the
circumstances and incidents and gives
the opinion of the admirals in various
important points involved The decis-
ion says the delay of the Russian
transport. Kamschatka following the
breakdown of her machinery was per
haps the cause of the incident
Commander sIgnaIed.
The commander Of the Kamschat-
ka signaled to Admiral Rojestvensky
during the evening he had been at
tackled by torpedo boats. The admir-
al therefore had reason to believe he
was attacked and gave orders for
strict vigilance against a possible ap-
pFOach of torpedo boats The major
ity of the commission considers Ro-
jestvensky's orders were not excessive
in time of war and particularly under
the circumstances that he had every
reason to consider the situation very
alarming.
Fishermen Not Hostile.
The commission" the decision
says, recognize unanimously that the
fishing fleet committed no hostile act.
the majority of the commissiCa being
of the opinion there were not. neither
among the fishing boats nor in their
vicinity any torpedo boats. and the
opening of fire by Rojestvensky was
not justified"
The decision further says the Rus
sian commissioner did not share in the
latter opinion.
Word for ROJcstNcusky.
In any event" the decision contin-
ues. the commissioners are glad to
recognize unanimously that Rojest-
vensky personally did all he could
from the commencement to the end to
prevent the trawlers from being the
object OF fire by the Russian squad
pon.'
DId Right in Proceeding.
Concerning the squadron's proceed
ing without assisting the damaged
trawlers. the decision says:
The commissioners are unanimous
that under the circumstances preced-
ing and following the incident that
there was such uncertainty concerning
the squadron as TO warrant Admiral
RojeStvensky in continuing his route
However. the majority regrets that
the admiral did not inform the neigh
boring maritime powers of what had
occurred"
No Reelection Upon NaIOr.
The decision concludes as follows.
The commissioners declare their
views as formulated are not OF a ma
ture to cast any disrcspect upon the
military valor nor upon the sentiments
of humanity OF Admiral RojestyeusKy
and the personnel of his squadron
Considered Compromise.
Admiral Foreiner. president of the
commission read the decision amid
impressive silence. the spectators FOL
lowing II minuteiy
The general impression among the
audience was the decision was in the
nature of a compromise as the ma
jority approved the British contention
that no torpedo boats attacked Ro-
jeStvenskys squadron and that there
fore his opening FIRE was not JUST
fed and As the majority also approx
ed the Russian contention that Rojest-
vensky was attacked according 10 his
belief. even though mistaken and ths
therefore his action did not reflec-
upon his military valor or sentiments
OF humanity.
Foreiner closed the commission with
Exchange Compliments.
\ significant exchange OF remarks
was made by Sir Edward Fry repre-
senting Great Britain and Baron
Taube representing Russia. Both
spoke in most smicable spirit and
oulogized arbitration