New-York tribune., 1905-02-26
TERMS OF THE DECISION.
No Hostile Vessels IN North Sea
Russian Fears Justified.
CBv The AssocIated Press)


Paris Feb. 25.-The decision Of the interna-
tional commission of Inquiry into the North Sea
incident was publicly announced at the closing
session Of the commission this afternoon The
decision sets forth the circumstances and incl
dents, and gives the opinion Of the ac-nirals on
the various important points involved.
The decision says the delay OF the Russian
transport Kamschatka following the breakdown
OF her machinery, was perhaps the cause OF the
incident. The commander of the Kamschatka
signaned TO Admiral Rojestvensky in the even
ing 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 approach Of tor
pedo boats. 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 alarming.
The decision says:
The commissioners recognize unanimously that
the fishing fleet committed no hostile act anu
the majority of the commissioners oelns OF tne
opinion that there were not. either among the
fishing boats IN their vicinity. any torpedo
boats, the opening Of fire by Admiral RoJeSt-
vensky not justified.
The decision further says the Russian COM
missioner did not share in the latter opinion.
and adds;
recognize unanimously that Admiral ROjest-
vensky personally did all he could from the be-
ginning TO the end 10 prevent the traWlers from
being the object of fire by the Russian squadron
Concerning the squadron proceeding without
assisting the damaged trawlers the decision
says:
The commissioners are unanimous that under
the circumstances preceding and following the
incident there was such uncertainty concerntns,
the danger to the squadron as TO warrant Ad-
mral Rojestvensky in continuing his route.
However, the majority regrets that the ad-
mraI did not inform the neighbOring maritime
powers of what had occurred.
The decision concludes as follows:
The commissioners declare that their views as
formulated are not of nature 10 cast any dis
respect upon the military valor or upon the SEN
timentS of humanity of Admiral ROjestvensky
and the personnel of his squadron.
other features of the decision are as follows:
Admiral RoJestvensky. after leaving RevaL
took the greatest precautions TO prepare his YES
sells TO repulse a torpedo attack in the course of
the night. whether sailing or at anchor. The re-
ports of Russian agents regarding possible tor
pedO boat attacks seemed TO justify these.
The direction the Russian squadron fol-
lowed was calculated to bring the last two divi-
customary fishing ground Of the Hull trawlers
numbering about thirty and spreading over sew
eral miles.
The testimony of British witnesses proved that
the trawlers carried regulation lights followed
the usual fishing rules. and were directed by
their commodore by means Of conventional
rockets.
The leading divisions of the squadron. IN
Guiding Admiral Voelkersam's. passed the
trawlers Unsuspectingy. Admiral Rotestven-
sky's division. the last noticed green flares
really a fishing signal, which created alarm.
and then observed vessel topping the waves.
Admiral Rojestvensky ordered his ships to open
fire. on the result of which rests his respOnsi-
biity.
The admirals signed the document in the fol-
lowing order: Won Spaun. Fournier. Doubas-
soT. Beaumont and Davis.
Admiral Davis tonight by the cor
respondent of The Associated Press and dis
cussed the conclusions OF the commission and
the general effect OF the decision. The ad-
miral did not desire this TO appear in the form
OF an interview. but the following can be ac-
oepted as having his approval
The general results of the findings are "a
vOrable TO Great Britain. as they sustain the
statement Of facts as presented by Great Brit
ain
Admiral Davis pointed out that the first semi
official forecasts were misleading and gave the
British and American public an entirely erro-
neous idea. Therefore he sent a cipher cable
message to Washington. notifying 10 the au-
thorties not to place credit in the forecasts
To-day he again sent cable message to Wash
ington summarizing the decision. and advising
the authorities that it favorable TO Great
Britain. AS evidence OF this Admiral Davis
said that In the first place the commission finds
that Admiral Rojestvensky was responsible FOR
the incident and its consequences. and in the
second place the commission finds that there
were no hostile vessels among the fishing neet
anywhere In that vicinity
Taking up the detailed report. Admiral Davis
showed that its essential features are as fol-
lows:
The commission justihes Admiral Rotest-
VeDSlKy keeping his SQUADRON a state Of