Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-25

incidents, and gives the opinion of the adj
mirals on the various important points in
volved.
The decision says the delay of the Rus
sian transport Kamschatka, following the
breakdown of her machinery, perhaps
the cause of the incident The commander
of the Kamschatka signaled to Admiral
Rojestvensky during the evening that he
had been attacked by torpedo boats. The
admiral therefore had reason to believe
he might be attacked, and gave orders for
strict vigilance against the possible ap-
proach of torpedo boats.
Admiral's Orders Not Excessive.
The majority of the commission considers
that Admiral Rojestvensky's orders were
not excessive in time of war, particularly
under the circumstances, and that he had
every reason to consider the situation very
alarming
'The commissioners" the decision says,
recognize unanimously that the fishing
feet committed no hostile act and the ma
tority 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 Rojestvensky was not justified
The decision further says the Russian
commissioner did not share in the latter
opinion.
I'm any event" the decision continues
the commissioners are glad to recognize
unanimously that Admiral Rojestvensky
personally did all he could from the com
mencement TO the end to prevent the trawl-
ers from being the object OF fire by the
Russian squadron"
Squadron's Withholding Assistance.
Concerning the squadrons preceding
without assisting the damaged trawers,
the decision says:
THE commissioners are unanimously. un-
der the circumstances preceding and fol-
lowing the incident. of opinion that there
was such uncertainty concerning the dam
ger TO the squadron as to warrant Admiral
Rojestvensky in continuing his route
However the majority regrets that the
admiral did not inform the neighboring
maritime powers of what had occurred"
ne decision concludes as follows:
1 he commissioners declare that their
views as formulated are not OF nature TO
cast any dlsreSpect upon the military valor
nor upon the sentiments of humanity Of
Admiral Rojestvensky and the personnel OF
his squadron" ~
Closing Session Brilliant Scene.
The closing session of the con,rissio,,
presented brilliant scene The snac;ous
salon or the foreign office was crowded
with prominent officials members of tbo
diplomatic corps. including the Russian
British and American ambassadors ner,-
bers of the Japanese legation. officers of
the army and navy. judges of the hiphes,
french courts and the wives and Other rel
htlNes OF members of the commission Cow
trary to expectation the admirals forntns
the commission did not wear full nni'
forms, but appeared in ordinary civiIian
dress Wv iAi''A
Admiral Fournier. president of the COM
mission, read the decision amid imnrasei,,o
silence, the spectators following il mi
nutely. ~
Decision Regarded a COMPROMISE.
The general impression among the aud;-
"nce was that the decision was in the ma
ture OF compromise. as the majority an
proved the British contention that no tor
pedo boats attacked Admiral Roiestven
skys squadron, and that therefore his
opening fire was not justified. and as the
majority also approved the Russian con-
tention that Admiral Roiestvensky acted
according TO his belief, even though mis-
taken, and that therefore his action did
not reflect upon his military vaIor or SEN
timents of humanity
Admiral Fournier closed the commission
with speech OF thanks to it's members
He said that each of them would return,
to his country bearing as recompense
for his iabors the legitimate satisfaction
OF duty well accomplished. They left be-