Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-04
BRITAIN IS ACCUSED
Rciestvensky Says British Fleet Was
Ready to Aid Jap, in East,
SAYS HIS SHIPS WERE TO Be DESTROYED
Allies of Japan Were to Attack Russians
if They Won Victory.
LETTER is PUBLISHED IN N0V0E VREMyA
Action Taken with the Consent of the
Russian Minister Of karine.
CREATES SENSATION AMONG DIPLOMATS
British Charge d'Anaires at Once
Demands nn Explanation from
Minister La mrdorn of Pub
Iished Statement.
LETTER is PUBLISHED IN NoyoE vRtMyi
Action Taken with the Consent of the
Russian Minister Of ksripe.
CREATES SENSATION AMONG DIPLOMAT

81. PETERSBURG, Jan. 6.-lne re-
markable allegation that the British feet
was held in readiness to destroy the Rus
sian fleet If the battle of the Sea of Japan
had gone in the Russians favor is made
by Admiral Rojestvensky in letter pub
lished in the Novoe Vremya today with the
permission of the minister of marine.
Referring to the absolute secrecy of Ad-
miral Togo in regard to the disposition OF
his forces, Rojestvensky declared that this
was unknown even to the admiral of the
British feet allied with the japanese, who
concentrated his forces at Wei Hal Wei
in expectation of receiving order to an
initiate the Russian fleet II this, the final
object of Great Britain, was beyond the
power of the Japanese.
Finds Himself a Hero.
From Admiral Rojestvensky's account of
his tactics in the battle of the Sea OF
japan, published in the Novoe Vremya
today, the reader is almost convinced that
the Russian commander outmaneuvered
Admiral Togo at every point and was him
self the real victor. He declares he knew
Admiral Togos whereabouts two days be-
fore the battle, made his dispositions ac-
cordingly. and entered the fight with his
eyes open. The admiral only casually
states that in the course Of his letter that
lne Oh 10 llNtSlikabllib thS
causes of the catastrophe in order to de-
termine whether the commander shall be
court -martialed for the loss of the fleet.
The charge that the British admiral con-
centrated his feet at Wei Hal Wei, ex-
pecting to receive an order to destroy the
Russians in the event of Admiral Togo
proving unequal to the task, has aroused
a considerable sensation In diplomatic cir
cles. all the more as Admiral Rojest-
yensky's letter was published with the
permission of the minister of marine, and
no doubt is entertained that 1t will be
made the subject of diplomatic representa-
tons To Great Britain.
Mr.. Spring Rice, the British charge DAFT
'aires, without waiting for instructions
from his government, demanded an expla-
nation from Foreign Minister Lamsdorf
THIS aftcfnoosi Of the statements contained
n the admirals letter to the Novoe
vemya.
worlxmen's Committee ReOrganizes.
Jan, 4-240 a. m.-The general meeting of
the workmens council and of representa-
tives OF the proletariat organizations, which
was held across the Finnish border, lasted
for thirty-six hours. adjourning only an
hour ago. The practical result of the meet
ing was confession that the government
against the strikers and the proletariat or
ganizatons. and that it would be necessary
to organize on new basis the armed rev.
olution to which the delegates at the meet
ing were committed. 1t was admitted that
the attempt to give battle to the govern
ment without having made due preparation
was mistake, and complete change In
tactics was decided upon. A new council OF
workmen. consisting of $50 members, was
elected. Similar councils viii be organized
everywhere. following which a general con-
gress will be called and an elaborate plan
OF battle against the government formu-
lated. In the meantime the propaganda Of
the agitators will be kept up, especially in
the army, In order to show that the prole-
tariat organizations are firmly resolved not
TO compromise with the government. Il
was also decided not 10 take part in the
elections for the douma.
Just prior to the adjournment OF the meet
Ing a resolution was passed 10 turn the
anniversary OF January 20 tRed Sunday
into a day OF mourning For this purpose
an appeal will be made to the socialist
workingmens organizations both in Europe
and the United States to manifest their
sympathy with the Russian revolutionarics
by holding demonstrations on that day.
A member of the workmen's council with
the meeting Acknowledged that the move
ment had been severely crippled by the
government. as many of the ablest leaders
had either been killed or arrested
we now see clearly" said this member
uf the workmcns council, that nothing
definite can bc accomplished by sporadic
upriSinEs. The possession of city such as
Moscow. or even st. Petersburg. might not
prove decisive. All Russia must rise at
the same time"
In answer 10 a question as tn whether
in the meantime the proletariat organiza-
lions had decided to abandon theft acts Of
terrorism, tho member OF the council re-
piled significantly: Perhaps. There have
been no acts OF terror because the persons
condemned have been too wcll guarded"
Putting screws Tighter
The government is putting on the screws
tighter and tighter. War Minister Rudiger
has issued an order absolutely prohibiting
officers. privates employees Of the minis
try of war from participating in any fash
ion in political societies or attending their
meetings and prescribing heavy punish
ments. which will be inflicted without trial.
The use OF the telephone between ST.
aetershurg, Moscow and other points. which
is employed for communications by the
revolutlonists, is prohibited to private in
dividulas. except by permission Of the
authorities
summary Executions at Moscow.
MOSCOW, Jan. 3.-According 20 the stor-
les in circulation here the number Of sum
mary executions OF revolutionists is large.
MIR. Smith. an Englishman and proprietor
of machine works here, which were acct
dentally burned yesterday, says he person
ally Witnessed a number OF executions.
When the DruJina revolutionary garrison
of the sugar factory surrendered. the oficer
In command OF the regular troops. after a
few brief questions picked out the victims.
who were marched twenty PAGES In front
OF q firing squad. received a volley and
dropped without struggle. Mr.. Smith even
says he thinks he recognised Governor
General Doubasof among those present
II II generally stated that the victims were