Cromwell Argus AND NORTHERN GOLDFIELDS GAZETTE Cromwell, Monday, March 6, 1905.

Cromwell Argus, 6 March 1905, Page 4

Cromwell Argus AND NORTHERN GOLDFIELDS GAZETTE Cromwell, Monday, March 6, 1905.

The cabled summary of the report, of the Intei-iiational Commission that enquired THE DOGGER BANK into the VERDICT. Dogger Bank Outrage, by the Baltic Fleet, appeal's to he on the whole a fair and just attempt to split the difference. The onus for the outrage i.s laid on the shoulders of Admiral Rezhdesventsky, whose alarms were roused by the reports from one of his ships that she was attacked on all sides by torpedoers. The captain of this ship, the Kamschatka, is primarily responsible for the blunder and the resulting outrage. The commission also find that the Russian ships tired on one another. The Russian Commissioner dissents from the finding of the commission on the ridiculous ground of the hostility of the trawlers. This absurd plea bears its own refutation, for in what manner could unarmed trawlers, the crews of which wore engaged in gutting fish, commit acts of hostility against a powerful squadron of men of war. The worst the fisherman could do would he to make some rude and contemptuous gestures at the mighty fleet. The enquiry plainly shows that the Russians were in a state of ' nerves,' or otherwise stated, ' in a blue funk,' and further emphasises the uselcssness of the, famous Baltic Fleet as a fighting force. If the commanders of the Russian Fleet lost their nerve before reaching England, what must he their condition now that Togo is coming !o meet them, and Kamimura and his jolly tars may fall foul of them any flay. The report finds fault, with Admiral Roshdesventsky for his callous inhumanity in leaving the trawlers without proffering assistance and in not, informing, by wireless telegraphy the British authorities of what had happened. Most likely he did not know the whereabouts of our Channel Squadron and wanted to get near a. neutral port before his exploit became known. The Commission find that. Russia should pay damages. Unfortunately the court has no power to compel Russia to pay any damages, and, judging from past, experiences, the only way to collect, compensation is at the point of the bayonet; for Russia never pays any international bill for damages; she receives the account with a polite smile, sticks it on a file, and there is an end to the matter. Britain has practically got a verdict, and that is all the satisfaction she ever will get.