The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1905-02-28

MONTANA, TUE
/ and Aurora were the boats the Rus.
slams mistook for torpedo boats.
Brilliant Scene.
/ The closing session of the commits
sion presented a brilliant scene. 1he
spacious salon or the foreign office was
crowded with prominent officials, mem
bers of the diplomatic corps, including
the Russian, British and American am
bassadors, members Of the Japanese le-
CATION, officers OF the army and navy,
judges of the highest French courts
and the wives and other relatives OF
members of the commission. Contrary
to expectation, the admirals forming
the commission did not wear the full
uniforms, but appeared in ordinary
civilian dress.
| Admiral Fournier, president OF the
commission, read the decision, the
spectators following it minutely. The
general impression among the audi
ence was that the decision was in the
nature of compromise, as the major
ity approved the British contention
that no torpedo boats attacked Admi-
raj Rojestvensky's squadron and that,
therefore, his opening fire was not
justified, and as the majority also ap.
proved the Russian contention that
Admiral RojestvensKy acted according
to his belief, even though mistaken,
and that, therefore, his action did not
reflect upon his military valor or senti-
ments of humanity.
| Members Thanked.
| Admiral Fournier closed the COM
mission with speech OF thanks to Its
members. He said that each OF them
would return to his country bearing
as a recompense for his labors the le-
! gitimate satisfaction of duty well ac-
complished. They left behind them
a profound impression OF esteem for
the devotion in which the dithcult task
had been performed.
Il A significant exchange OF remarks
was made by Sir Edward Freye, rep
resenting Great Britain, ana Baron
Taube, representing Russia. Both
spoke most amicably. Sir Edward
said:
This is one of the most important
events ever brought before an interna-
tional court. All should feel gratified
with the satisfactory results obtained" :"
The speaker closed with the QUOTA
ton: Peace hath her victories no less
renowned than war.
Rear Admiral Charles H. Davis OF
the United States said concerning the
decision: The conclusions seem TO
me to be equitable. They are tormulat-
ed in manner to satisfy the legitl-
mate desire of the two parties and
mark an important step in the pacific
solution of international contentious p
Fournier Thanked.
Admiral Baron Won Spaun, IN behall
OF the admlrals, thanked Admlral
rournier tor MS courtesy and france
Tor her generous hospitality, and re
quested Admiral Fournier to express
the commissioners sense OF gratitude
to President Loubet and Foreign Min
lister Del Casse. The sitting lasted halt
an hour.
Other interesting features of the de-
cision are as follows: Admiral Ro-
jestvensky, after leaving Reval, took
the greatest precautions to prepare his
during the night, whether sailing or at
anchor. The reports of Russian agents
regarding various torpedo boat attacks
seemed to justify these.
"The direction the Russian squadron
followed was calculated to bring the
last two divisions, as events proved, in
grounds of the Hull trawlers, number
ing about 80, and spreading over sew
, eral miles. The evidence of British
| witnesses proved that the traWlers car
ried regular lights, followed the usual
: fishing rules and were directed py
their commander by means of rockets
The leading divisions of the squadron
, including Admiral Volkersam's, passed
the traWlers unsuspectingly. Admiral
, Rojestvensky at last noticed green
flares, really fishing signal, which
created alarm, and then observed a
! vessel topping the waves. Admira
Rojestvensky ordered his ships to oper