THE BALTIC FLEETS OUTRAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12698, 29 October 1904, Page 5

THE BALTIC FLEETS OUTRAGE.

SITUATION NOT YET RELIEVED. THE RUSSIAN ADMIRAL'S REPORT, CHARGED WITH WRITING UNTRUTHS. » • ■ * BRITISH NAVAL MOVEMENTS. ARMY PREPARATIONS IN INDIA. KITCHENER GIVEN A FREE HAND. By Tttlefirapli.—Press Association.— Copyright. ADMIRAL ROSHDESTVENSKI'S .REPORT. THE PULL TEXT. ALLEGED ATTACK BY TORPEDO-BOATS. ACCUSES FISHERMEN OF COMPLICITY. (Received October 28, 10.10 p.m.) London, October 26, Admiral Roshdestvenski reports as follows: — " The incident was provoked by two torpedo-boats, which, without lights, advanced to attack the vessel leading the squadron. "When the search-lights were used, fire was opened, and the presence discovered of several small steam vessels, resembling fishers. , " I tried to spare these, and ceased fire as soon as the torpedoboats were out of sight. " The English press is horrified that our torpedo-boats remained without assisting the fishing boats, but we had not a single tor- • pedo-boat with the squadron, and none were left behind. What the fishermen saw must have been one of the foreign torpedo-boats which was not simk.*»She remained near the trawlers until morning to repair damage and watch for her consort. "The squadron did not assist the fishers because we suspected their complicity, owing to their obstinate persistence in cutting ' the line of the Russian advance. Several of them failed to show lights, and others showed lights very late." \, Admiral Roshdestvenski, in a second telegram, states: — "We met hundreds of fishers, and showed them every consideration except when in company with foreign torpedo-boats, one of which disappeared. The other may have refrained from giving assistance, fearing to betray herself to those who were not accomplices. "In the name of the fleet I express sincere regret to the un- , fortunate victims of circumstances. No warship even in profound { peace could act otherwise than we did."

ADMIRAL'S REPORT DISBELIEVED. (Beocivcd October 28, 11.18 p.m.) London, October 28. The English and American newspapers throw ridicule upon Ad- . miral Roshdestvenski's explanation. The Times says that Admira Roshdestvenski's statement is simply incredible. It is a tissue of palpable untruths, wholly irreconcilable with the facts. If the Russian Government adopt such a defence, the sooner the discussion is broken off the better. THE FISHERMEN'S REPLY. (Received October 28, 11.30 p.m.) * London, October 28. The fishermen ridicule the statement that the Japanese torpedoboats were among or near the trawlers, and they declare that there were no Japanese aboard their vessels. REPORT'S RECEPTION IN FRANCE. (Received October 28, 10.10 p.m.) London, October 28. The report of Admiral Roshdestvenski has caused surprise and irritation in France. * It was reported that France had offered her mediation, but this is denied.

OPINION ON THE CONTINENT. (Received October 28, 10.32 p.m.) London, October 28. The Austrian newspapers consider that Admiral Roshdestvenski's explanation aggravates theiituation. They say that Britain would be justified in demanding the admiral's recall, and the stoppage of the fleet. - It is believed in Germany that it is not likely that Russia will punish the officers of the Baltic fleet. Fears are expressed that Russia's procrastination will play into the hands of the anti-British war party in Russia, and lead to a sudden crisis of a more serious character. THE ADMIRAL SUPPORTED IN RUSSIA. (Received October 28, 10.40 p.m.) London, October 28. There is little disposition in St. Petersburg to doubt the accuracy of Admiral Roshdestvenski's statement. Admiral Wirenus considers it impossible that there should have been a mistake about the presence of suspicious torpedo-boats. RUSSIAN NEWSPAPER COMMENTS. RUSSIA NOT , WITHOUT SUPPORT. (Beceiv«d October 28, 11.18 p.m.) London, October 28. The Novoe Vremya ascribes the tragedy to the moral state of the Russian sailors, who are starting on a long voyage, accompanied by all the alarms that neutrality could devise. The Svet boasts that Russia is not so isolated from support as is supposed. SUGGESTED COURT OF INQUIRY, (Received October 23, 10.10 p.m.) London, October 28. Count Lamsdorff states that a Court of Inquiry shall be held at Vigo, if the laws of neutrality will permit of it. OPTIMISTIC OPINIONS. PEACE MAY BE PRESERVED. (Received October 28, 11.18 p.m.) London, October 28, The British Embassy at St. Petersburg says that no insurmountable complications are anticipated in Russian official circles. Reuter's agency reports that Lord Lansdowne has indicated that he does not share in the prevalent pessimistic feeling. He hopes soon to be able to make a definite and satisfactory statement. . . Another high official has remarked, "I believe we will worry through all right."