South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-07-06
SWE DEN PROTESTS
VIOLATION Of HER
NEUTRAL RIGHTS
Russian Reply Says Shell Was
Dropped in Territorial Wa
terS Through Accident Dur
ing Naval Battle in Fog.

PETROGRAD. July 6.-Sweden has
complained 10 the Petrograd foreign
ofice that her neutrality was violated
by the Russian squadron in the re-
cent naval battle off the Island of
Gothland ia the Baltic sea. The Rus
sian government has expressed its re-
gret and given positive assurance that
il intends to observe Swedish neutral
ity strictly.
In its reply TO the Swedish protest.
Russia attributes the fact that a shell
dropped in Swedish territorial waters
TO the fact that the weather was
foggy and hindered accurate firing.
The following official statement on
Swedens protest and Russia's reply
was issued here today:
The Swedish minister at Petro-
grad has communicated TO the i'm
perial government that during Fri
DAYS battle near the Island of Goth
land, when Russian ships were pur-
suing a German Warship, a shell flew
over the Swedish Islet of Oestergarn
and struck the water about 100 yards
from shore.
Protests Violation.
"The minister in the name of his
government, protested that such an
incident was a violation of Swedish
neutrality. At the same time, the
minister informed the imperial gov
ernment that steps had been taken by
the Swedish government regarding
the disarming of the German warship
which went ashore on Gothland and
the internment of its crew in Sweden.
The imperial government has eX-
pressed its sincere regret to the
Swedish government for dropping a
she'll in its territorial waters, explain
ing that according to the report of
the admiral commanding the Baltic
fleet. thc incident could have been
caused only by a dense fog at the spot
where the fight occurred, which him
dcred accurate firms.
The Swedish minister at the same
time received the most positive as
surances of the Russian intention
strictly 10 observe Swedish neutrality.
The following facts regarding the
battle show that the falling of a shell
in Swedish territorial waters could
only have been the result OF an unfOr-
tunate accident independent OF any
ones will
THE naval fight between our cruis-
ers and a detachment of German ships
consisting OF a cruiser of the Augs-
burg type. the light cruiser Alabtross
and three destroyers near the Island of
Gothland began Friday at S:35 a. IN.
at a distance Of % leagues from the
coast
Fog flinders Fighting.
owing TO the fOggy weather. visi-
bility during the fight was greatly re-
stricted. The dense fog sometimes
hid the outlines OF the hostile ships
hindering accuracy Of fire.
when. half an hour after the fght
began. the cruiser of the Augsburg
class. prOhting by its speed. fled south
ward. the torpedo boats assisting the
Albatross emitted clouds OF smoke,
thus hiding the ship which was serv-
ing as our target
seriously damaged. the AlbatrOss,
toward a. m. made several turns
lowered its flag and steamed toward
the coast Our ships guns Immediate
Is ceased their fire.
About this time the fog lifted
somewhat and the veil OF smoke from
the torpedo boat. artificially produced
by means of special appliances. was
also dispersed. This made il possible
for our ships 10 see their position
six leagues from Oestergarn light
house. They approached no nearer
during the fight.
IF. in the course OF the battle,
shells fell near shore il could only be
case OF accidental riccochet. either
by our artillery or that or the Ger
mans