The Russian Outrage

Cromwell Argus, 6 March 1905, Page 5

The Russian Outrage

Admiral Fourniei, the chairman, read the roport in French ot the International Commission which inquired into the Dogger Bank outrage. Admiral Rozbdes:veusky is held re> sponuible for the order to file, which was given in consequence of the trawlers' green Hare sigual arousing suspicions aboard the and the commander of the Kamschatka's wireless telegram that he was attacked on til sides by torpedoers. Refening to the Aldebaran incident the report said that this had previously inducad dmiral KozhdestveDsky to iesuo a warning to the squadron that a tor■edocr's attack was possible at 1 o'clock. The majority ot the Oommisaioners ■re of opinion that the Aurora provoked the lirst fire; thai Admiral Kozhdeat-vem-ky's firing was unjustifiable, since ihe trawlers were regularly lighted, tud their attitude was not hostile; that 10 torpedoers were on the scene; that the duration of the firiug was longer than neceasary, though Admiral ilozhdeatveusky had endeavoured to prevent ihe continuance of the firing when the trawlers were reooguisod as such ; that the Admiral's precautionary orders wero not excessive, in view of the impossibility of checking the correctness of the Govcrnniont'j* warning, nor, considering the uncertainty of danger, was it improper to proceed after the firing had ceased, though it was regrettable chat ho did not communicate with the authorities at Dovor. The Russian Commiaaiouer (Admiral Dubaesoff) dissents from ihe finding, declaring that tin hostility of the t-awlora wbh he cause of tho firing. In conclusion, declare that tho opiuiona they have foi inulatcd do not reflect on tho martial qualities nor on tho sentiments of humanity of Admiral Rozhdeatvensky, oor on tho persona! of the squadron. l'he Commissioners uotod tna», Admiral Folkcrsara's division, preceding Admiral Rozhdestvensky's, usod ts aoarchlight, recognised the ins oil'ensivenoss of tho trawlors, and did not fire. The London press considers be Commissioners' report substantially Biitish victory. Tho Times, while xpreasiug satisfaction that Britain was victorious on the principal issues, pre* <umes, despite the Commissioners' perolexing remarkfl, that the Russian Government will severely censure or otherwise punish Admiral Rozhdestvensky. The Standard thinks that Russia is treated with marked tender* ness, and that it is unlikely anyone will be punished, the award being diplomatically designed to end the business quietly with a minimum of unpleasantness.