THE WAR.

Manawatu Herald, 27 October 1904, Page 2

THE WAR.

BRITISH TRAWLERS FIRED ON. FISHERMEN KILLED. The trawler Gamecock, belonging to the North Sea fishing fleet, reached Hull on Sunday night, with the report that the Baltic fleet had shelled it, causing a serious loss. Apparently one hundred and fifty Hull trawlers Were fishing of? Dogger Bank, 200 miles east of Spurn Head. At midnight on Friday they saw a number of large vessels approaching. At first they ware believed to be a British fleet, but afterwards proved be the Baltic consisting of twenty vessels. The commanders of the trawlers burned green flares denoting they were fishing, After the first part of the squadron had passed, searchlights played on the fishers, and then a violent fuailade of live shot was opened by some of the rearmost warships, continuing for from twenty to thirty minutes, when the fleet steamed south. The trawler Crane sank, and a shell decapitated George Smith, master of the Crane, and one of the sailors* Tne rest of the crew of nine were wounded but Were rescued. After the bombardment the trawling fleet crawled back to the Hull and reported the outrage. The Government has summoned John Smith, son of the master of the Crane, and the masters of several other trawlers to London to report to the Foreign Office. The Moulmein was subsequently struck. Holes were made in her in sixteen places, and she was nearly sunk. Several of the trawlers were riddled and others were damaged. It is believed the Wren was sunk with all hands. ULTIMATUM OR APOLOGY. Sit Frederick Pollock (Professor of Jurisprudence at Oxford) declares that it must mean an ultimatum or an apology within forty-eight hours. It is rumoured that a Wilson liner has been sunk. The Morning Post declares that it is inexplicable that the Russians left without making an apology and amends for their astounding and monstrous action. Britain must de mand the dismissal of the officers responsible for firing and the noncontinuation of the voyage without making an explanation. A WILFUL ACT OF PIRACY. Peaker, captain of the trawler Magpie, states he closely watched the warships when among the trawlers. The Admiral of the flagship signalled the Rear-Admiral, who replied,. Then the searchlights of the whole squadron were turned on the fishers. Peaker considers the squadron consisted of forty vessels, including transports. The searchlights brilliantly lit the fishers, who were plainly seen standing by their nets and watching the warships. The squadron slowed and then suddenly used their quickfirers. The Crane was hit immediately and six of her crew severely injured, some not being expected to recover One is missing and it is feared he was struck and fell overboard. After the searchlights were used it was impossible to mistake the character of the fishers who were plainly seen working their nets and hauling in fish, besid s burning the international fishing fights. After half an hour’s unceasing fire the Russians discovered they had made a mistake and steamed off at full speed, not offering to help the fishermen, who state that the fleet formed into line after the first shot was fired. A RUSSIAN MINISTER INTERVIEWED. Count Cassini .(Russian Ambassador in America) on being interviewed in Washington, declared that Admiral Rozhjishenski had been ordered to allow no vessel near enough to discharge torpedoes, particularly at night. But Count Cassini forgets that the Russians sailed through the fishing fleets. Great excitement prevails in England.