THE BALTIC FLEET OUTRAGE

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1134, 1 November 1904, Page 2

THE BALTIC FLEET OUTRAGE

Preparations lor M il Iniulrj Russian Warships Gathering at lanjiers far Threatened if Ships are Molested Tlie Mysterious Torpedoers at Dogger Bank Another Version of the Mystery Declared to Have Been Part ol the Baltic Fleet

/ rrM Aq*oofatioii. —Cflßyrlftfit.

London, October 31 Reutbr's St. Petersburg correspondent says that the public are in the dark as to the real situation.

Russian official statements ignore the fact that the commission is the outcomo of most pointed representations and of Britain's determination to obtain coipplite satisfaction,

active preparation* for eventualtiei which occupied them all last week Lord Beresford's ships are neai Vigo.

Few seem to realise that the conclusion of the Commission of Inquiry must be followed by drastic measures.

The story obtaining most credence is that the British Admiralty disfjiiirwd two fishing vessels as torpodoers in ordor to attract the fire and create an incident to prevent the squadron reaching Port Arthur in time.

ihs Times Paris correspondent states that M. Delcasse, French Foreign Minister, soeiug 'a conflict coming, because neither country understood the language used by the othir, told Russia (bat what she proposed to do was substantially what Britain demanded. He assured Loid Lansdowno that Russia would not be less expeditious than usual, and to precipitate action would thwart the proposed concilia* tory steps, The correspondent says that M. Delcasse's and M, Cambon's discreet efforts have earned the gratitude of the world.

1 RUSSIAN WARSHIPS ON ; MOORISH COAST WATCHED BY BRITISHERS t -> RUSSIAN NAVAL INQUIRY j OPENS ut Press Association.—Uopyright n loNuon, October 31 British warships are watching the I Russians on the Moorish coast. I The Czar yesterday gave audience to the Hon. Charlos'Hardinge for an 1)0111', Tho Mediterranean squadron is in the vicinity of Gibraltar. I The mobilisation manceuvers in f the Mediterranean have closed. Four additional Russian warships) b under Admiral Foelkersaut, are proo visioning and coaling at Tangier. A Russian naval inquiry has opened at Vigo. THE COMING INQUIRY SLOW METHODS THREAT OF ST PETERSBURG OFFICIALS INTERFERENCE WITH FLEET I MEANS WAR Press Association—Copyright London, October 31 The Standard says that twentyone days are likely to be bpent in preliminary negotiations as to the scope of the international commission, which meets at Vigo, and that tho proceedings will thereafter bo expedited. The examination of witnesses is contemplated, but the fishermen's testimony will be taken by independent cotmnissionora appointed by the Court. Highest officials in St Petersburg declare that any attempt to stop the fleet will mean war. Admiral Rozestvenski will only detach a fow officers to participate in the investigation Mr Balfour's speech has given some oftence in St Petersburg, as is usual when Russian diplomacy is concerned, Tho Daily Telegraph says that British and Russian warships are mutually watching each other closely. The Times states that until the officers aro tried and punished, as justico demands, it would bs rash and prematura to countormand or : abate any of the preparations. i French advices state that Count i LainstloriT triumphed only after a hard struggle with the war party. ] I BRITISH SQUADRONS STILL ACTIVE 1 THE RECENT CRISIS f I LAUDABLE ACTION OF FRENCH MINISTERS f Press Association—Copyright LONDON, October 30 j The Standard states that the ii Admiralty has not BUBpended th« n

The Daily News Paris correspondent declares that M. Cambon, French Ambassador in London, lw suggested unofficially that M. Ben. ckendorff, Russian Ambassador in London, be a special commissioner at the Hague.

THEDEMANDS. FOR COMPENSATION BRITISH ASSESSORS ' THE ASSAULT ON SWEDISH VESSELS SEARCHING INQUIRY i THE CZAR AND THE COM MISSION 1 RUSSIAN PRESS UN THE SITUATION Press Association-Copyright, London, October 31 Mr Gerald Balfour, President of the Board of Trade, has appointed Admiral Cyprian Bridge and Mr Aspinall (King's Counsel) to report on the occurrences in the North Sea, the quantum of damage, and 'he amount ot compensation. The King of Sweden is making a searching inquiry into the assault on the Aldebaran, which was attacked two hours before the fishermen. The Dublin steamer City of Dortmound, from Hamburg to Plymouth. encountered the Russians on the 23rd off Beachy Head. A torpedo accompanied her for some time and then rejoined the warships, which were going down the channel. An official in St Petersburg says that Count Lraisdorfl' on Friday telegraphed (o Admiral Bencken. dorffi desiring him to bring everything that occurred in the North Sea into as clear a light as possible' The Czar considered it would bp beneficial to submit the affair to an International Commission of Enquiry, on the basis of the Hague Convention, for thorough investigation, Thi Ambassador replied that Britain would accept the proposal to submit the North Sea incident in all its extent to the examination of a commission at provided by the Hague Convention.

The Hussian newspapers welcome tlifl commission, remarking lhatitß rule will be restricted to establishing fiictSj and that thereof tor Britain and Russia will exchange views. Several newspapers declare that Lord Lansdowne rose superior to Chauvinism.

A considerable section also acknowledge M. Delcasse's friendW liervices, as the danger was really great, and the consequences might have been diieto all Europe. The Temps saya it i 3 obvious, from the expression throughout Europe, that all people feel that the agreement is a great victory for the Spirit of Peace and Conciliation. Tt is long since such unanimity was manifested. The entente whereto I

King Edward had paved the way has boru admirable fruit, sufficient; to throw into the scale the weight of the instrument of concord, resulting in good understanding and mutual sympathy on the one hand, and the straightforwardness and sincerity of Franco-Russian relations on the other, Six new submarines have been begun at Cherbourg arsenal, RUSSIAN SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE SUFFERERS A FARCICAL RESULT Press Association .-Copyright London, October 31 Only twelve roubles were 'subscribed in St. Petersburg on behalf of the Hull sufferers THE POWERS OF THE COMMISION VIEWS OF AN AUSTRIAN JUR. IST Press Association—Copyright. LoNDok, October 31 Count Frederick Schoenbom, a member of the Hague Tribnrfal and prominent Austrian jurist, interviewed at FoemdenbUtt, stated that articles 9, 10, and 32 of the Hague Convention afford a means offj} impartially deciding the main points and the punishment of the officers found guilty, but that jurists alone are unable to settle the case, and naval experts, who would be able to say what maritime tisage permits or prohibits, must be added !o the Court. 1 Many of the sailors at Vigo, and i not only the officers chiefly respon i sible, might In called to testify. 11)6 evidence of a single sailor was 3 possible of llie greatest importance. 3 The instructions given to Dr# ' Woodhouse, solicitor at Hull, to represent Russia at the coroner's » inquiry, wero cancelled last night i on the grounds that Russia considers Itho case closed.

The Chronicle and Express say the story is unconfirmed elsewhero. Ihe Echo de Paris St, Petersburg correspondent mentions the story as a curious rumour, DESERTIONS PROM THE BALTIC FLEET. TEN SAILORS SHOT. ( RUSSIANb MOBILISING AT TANGIER. Pr«si imoiiniuß.—(joojritki. London, Oct. 31, ion sailors of tho Baltic Fleet have boon shot to stop tho tendency to dosort, Thero iu'o over a score o! Russian wai> ships at Tangier, Tho chief Russian newspapers announo that Englaud has accepted the Russian proposals, and sevoral write in admiration of" Russia's spirited Adminl." Tha Archbishop of Cauterburj, speaking at Margate, and other bishops and clergy, men havo exprosod thankfulness that th cloud of peril has rolled by. TEE ASSAULT AT DOGGER BANK ANOTHER ACCOUNT FLEET ATTACKS ITS OWN TORPEDOERS

MISTAKES THEM FOE JAPANESE '

A FOG CAUSES THE TROUBLE SEVERAL MEN WOUNDED P-r«u /LMoo.Jinn.—OoDjrlfH. London, Oct, 31 The CliroDi'clo's Vigo correspondent and the Daily Express St Petersburg reprosen" tative declare that the Baltic fleot at laokod thoir own torpedoers, supposing them to be Japanese, Two of the vessels were scouting, and loomed out of a fog ahead of the transport and »n officer of the latter reported that the vessel was being attaokodi One torpedoor escaped across the bows when the firing began, while the cominan.. der of the second imaginod the Japanese wore attacking, and repliod with quick*' firets. Soveral on the noarest man-o'-war wers wounded, The commander of the torpodoor, dis* covering his mistake, inado frenzied nals and got lioyond range, Threo of the battleships continued fitBefore reaching Cherbourg, Admiral Itozjeventski held an inquiry, Ho was not awavo then that neutrals had wouuded his men, lit will bo remembered thai on his arrival at Vigo the Admiral reportod that sovoral Russians wore woundod • and one of tlio ships injured during thi Dogger Bank incident,]