The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1905-02-27
NORTH SEA COMMISSION FINDS
AGAINST ROJESTVENSkY IN
DOCGER BANK AFFAIR.
ACTED ACCORDING TO BEST BELIEF
DECISION REACHED DOES NOT RE-
Fleet UPON RUSSIAN ADMI-
RAILS MILITARY vALOR.

Paris, Feb. 27.-The decision of the
international commission of inquiry
into the North sea incident weis pub
ltcly announced at the closing session
of the commission. Tbs decision
lengthily sets forth the circumstances
and Incidents and gives the opinion of
the admirals on the various important
points involved. The decision says
the delay of the Russian transport
kamchatka, following the breakdown
of her machinery, was perhaps the
cause of tn incident. The comman-
der of the kamchatka signalled to Ad-
miral Rojestvensky during the even
Ing that he had been attacked by tor
pedo boats. The admiral therefore
had reason to believe he was at
tackled and gave orders for strict Wig
lance against the possible approach
of torpedo boats. The majority OF the
commission considers that Admiral
Rojestvensky's orders were not exces-
Bive in time of war, particularly under
the circumstances, and that he had
every reason to consider the situation
very alarming.
The commission" the decision
says, recognize unanimously that the
fishing fleet committed no hostile act
and the majority 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 Admiral Rojest-
yensky was not justified
The decision further says the Rus
sian commissioner did not share in
the latter opinion.
I'm any event." the decision contin-
ues, 1.-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 squadrons 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 danger to the squadron as to war
rant Admiral Rojestvensky in con-
tinuing his route.
However, the majority regrets that
the admiral did not inform the neigh
boring maritime powers of what had
occurred"
No Reflection on Russian Admiral.
The decision concludes as follows:
"The commissioners declare that
their views as formulated are not of
nature to cast any discredit upon the
military valor nor upon the sentiments
OF humanity of Admiral Rojestvensky
and the personnel of his squadron"
Admiral Fournier, president of the
commission, read the decision amid
an impressive silence, the spectators
following 1t minutely. The general inn
preston among the audience was that
the decision was in the nature of
compromise, as the majority approved
the British contention that no torpedo
boats attacked Admiral Rojestvensky's
squadron and that. therefore, his
opening fire was not justified and as
the majority also approved the Rus
sian contention that Admiral Rojest-
vensky acted according to his belief,
even though mistaken, and that there
fore his action did not reflect upon his
military valor or sentiments of human
ity.
Admiral Fournier closed the COM