The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-26
Rojestvensky's Orders
Were Not Excessive.
FIRING NOT JUSTIFIED
England and Rnssia's Representatives
EuIogized the Arbitration, and
tho General Impression is That
the Decision Was in The
Nature OF a Compromise.
(By the Associated Press. }

Paris, Feb. 25.-The decision of the
International Commission of Inquiry
into the North Sea incident was pub
licly announced at the closing session
of the commission today. The de-
cision lengthily sets forth the circum-
stances and incidents and gives the
opinion of the admirals on the vari-
Gus important points involved. The
decision says the delay of the Rus
sian transport kamschatka following
the break down of her machinery,
was perhaps the cause of the acct
dent. The commander OF the KAN
achatka signalled TO Admiral Roiest-
venSky during the evening that he
had been attacked by torpedo boats.
The admiral therefore had reason l.
believe that he might be attacked al
gave orders for strict vigilance
against the possible approach OF tor
pedo boats.
The ajority of the commission
consider that Admiral Rojestvensky' 8
orders were not excessive in time of
war particularly under the circum-
stances and that he had every reason
to consider the situation very alarm
ing.
1.-THE commissioners, the decision
says. "recognize unanimously that the
fishing fleet committed no hostile act
and the majority of the commissions
ers being of the opinion that others
were not, neither among the fishing
boats nor in their vicinity any tor
pedo boats. the opening of fire by
Admiral Rojestvensky was not justi-
Ted"
The decision further says the Rus
sian commissioner did not share in
the latter opinion.
"In any event" the decision con-
tinues, "the commissioners are glad
TO recognize unanimously that Ad-
miral Rojestvensky personally did all
he could from the commencement to
the end TO prevent the trawlers from
being the object of fire by the Rus
sian squadron
Cbncelning the squadron pro-
ceeding without assisting the dam
aged trawlers. the decision says:
THE commissioners are unanimous.
under the circumstances. preceding
and following the incident. that there
was such uncertainty concerning the
danger to the SQUADRON as TO warrant
Admiral Rojestvensky in continuing
his route.
However, the majority regrets that
the admiral did not inform the neigh
boring maratime powers of what had
occurred
The decision concludes as follows:
"The commissioners declare that
their views as formulated are not OF
q nature to cast any disrespect upon
the military valor nor upon the senti-
ments Of humanity of Admiral toJcst-
vensky and the personnel of his
squadron
nthor ;,,toroetiner faatnrac IF tho de-
cision are as follows:
admiral Rojestvensky after leaY-
ing Reval took the greatest precau-
tons TO prepare his vessels to rcpulSc
torpedo attack during the night
whether Sailin~ or at anchor. The re-
ports of Russian agents regarding pos
sible torpedo boat attacks seemed TO
justify these
Itch evidence of British witnesses
proved that the trawlers carried reguv
lation lights followed the usual fish
ing rules and were directed by their
commodore by means of conventional
rockets.
The leading divisions OF the squad
ron, including Admiral Voelkersa ms
passed the trawlers unSuSpenctinSiy.
Admiral Rojestvensky's division, the
last, noticed green flares, really a fish
ing signal. which created alarm and
waves. Admiral Rojestyensky order
ed his ships to open fire, OH the result
OF which rests his responsibility.
Admiral Fourier, president of the
commission, read the decision amid
impressive silence. the spectators fol-
lowing it infinitely. The general inn
preston among the audience was that
the decision was in the nature of q
compromise.
A significant exchange of remarks
was made by Sir Edward Frye repre-.
senting Great Britain. and Baron
Taubc. representing Russia. Both
spoke in the most amicable spirit ana
eulogized the arbitration.
Admiral Davis was seen tonight by
the correspondent Of the Associated
Press He said the general results OF
The findings are favorable to Great
Britain since they sustain the state
Taent of facts as presented by Great
Britain.
According to Admiral Davis view.
however. Russia can take q fair meas
uTe of satisfaction from the finding
for although it holds that an error
was committed ii was one which was
not discreditable to the Russian navy.