Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-03-01
ENGLAND WINS
EVERY POINT
Finding Of the Commission on the
North Sea Affair 10 Against
Rals0fa.
WERE NO ToRpEpo BOATS
The Decision js Couri.ed In Diplomat
10 Language, Dut Crest erktiin
Makes q Clsans Sweep.

Paris, Feb. 25-The international
commission ON the North sea incident
finds that "the opening of fire by Nd
miral Rojestvensky was not justified"
The decision was publicly announced
at the closing session of the commits.
sion today. The decision lengthily sets
forth the circumstances and incidents
and gives the opinion of the admirals
on the various important points in.
volved. The decision says that the
delay of the Russian transport Kam-
chatka, following the breaking down
Of her machinery, was, perhaps, the
cause of the incident. The command
er of the Kamchatka signaled to Ad-
miral Rojestvensky during the even
ing that he had been attacked by tor
pedo boats. The admiral, therefore,
had reason to believe that he was at
tackled and gave orders for strict Wig
ilance against the possible approach
of torpedo boats. The majority of the
commission considers that Admiral
Rojestvensky's orders were not exces
sive in time of war, particularly under
the circumstances, and that he had ev-
cry reason to consider the situation
very alarming.
Were No Torpedo Boats.
"The commission" the decision says,
recognizes unanimously that the fish
ing fleet committed no hostile act and
the majority of the commissioners be-
ing of the opinion that there were
neither among the fishing boats mol
in their vicinity any torpedo boats,
the opening OF fire by Admiral Rojest-
vensky was not jusfifieo.'
The decision further says the Rus
sian commissioner did not share in
the latter opinion.
''In any event. the decision contin-
ues 'the commissioners are glad to
recognize unanimously that Admiral
Rojestvensky personally did all he
could, from the commencement to the
end, to prevent the trawlers from be-
ing the object of fire by the Russian
squadron
Concerning the squadrOn's proceed
ing without assisting the damaged
trawlers, the decision says: "The COM
missioners are unanimously of the
opinion under the circumstances pre-
ceding and following the incident, that
there was sufficient uncertainty con
cerning, and danger to the squadron
to warrant Admiral Rojestvensky in
continuing his route. However, the
majority regrets that the admiral did
not inform the neighbcring maritime
powers of what had occurred"
The decision concludes as follows
"The commissioners declare that
their views as formulated are not ol
a nature to cast any disrespect upon
the admiral's valor'nor upon the senti
ments of humanity of Admiral Rojest
vensky and the personnel of his squad
rom"
Admiral Davis was Seen tonight BY
the correspondent of the Associated
Press. and discussed the conclusion
of the commission and the general ef
feet of the decision. The admiral die
not desire this to appear In the form
of an interview, but the following car
be accepted as having his approval
Favorable to England.
The general results of the finding:
are favorable to Great Britain since
they sustain the statement of fact!
as presented by Great Britain.
Admiral Davis points out that the
semi-official forecasts were mislead
ing and gave the British and American
public an entirely erroneous idea
Therefore he sent a cipher cable mes
sage to Washington notifying the au
thOrities not to place credence in tn
forecasts. Today he again sent ca
BILE dispatch to Washington, summary
ing the decision, and advising the au
thOrities that it was favorable to Grea
Britain. As evidence of this Admfra
Davis said that in the first place, tn
commission finds that Admiral Ro5est
yensky was responsible for the Incl
dent and it's consequences, and mex
the commission finds that there wer
no hostile vessels among the fishin
fleet or anywhere in that vicinity
Taking up the detailed report, the al
miral showed that it's essential fes
lures are as follows:
The commission justified Admire
Rojestvensky in keeping his squadro
in a state of preparatlUn to resist
possible attack. That is entirely ma
ural. No naval officer could be crit
cized for having his ships ready. eitl
er in time of war or in time of peac'
either in hostile waters or in frien'
ly waters, warships are supposed
be always ready for action within fiv
minutes. Consequently, no naval on
Ger would criticize another for bein
ready.
The second point of the decision
that the commission holds that A,
miral Rojestvensky was responsibl
for the result of the fire upon the fsl
ing feet, and it also holds that no to
pedo boat or hostile vessel Of any kin
was present among the fishing boat
or in that vicinity. and that the opel
ing fire by Admiral Rojestvensky wa
therefore not justified.
The finding also shows that conside
ing the alarming reports which ma
reached HMM other, words. the su
rounding circumstances of the case
Admiral Rojestvensky was justified
not stopping after the incident, bi
the commission expresses a-regret th'
he did not make an opportunity II
notifying the authorities at some p0
on the english coast in order that a.
might have been sent to the damae.
fishing fleet