THE WAR.

Manawatu Herald, 1 November 1904, Page 2

THE WAR.

DOGGER BANK ATROCITY. A LAMB RUSSIAN REPORT. OTHER OPINIONS. Admiral Rozhdestvensky reports that the Dogger Bank incident was provoked by two torpedoers which, without lights, advanced to attack the vessels heading the squadron. When the searchlights were used and the fire opened, the presence was discovered of several small steam vessels resembling* fishers. The Russians tried to spare these and ceased fire. Soon the torpedoers were out of sight. - The report goes- on to say : “The English press are horrified that our torpedoers remained without assisting, but we had not a single torpedoer with the squadron and none were left behind. What the fishermen saw must have been one of the foreign torpedoers Which bad not sunk. It remained near the trawlers until morning to repair damage and watch for its consort. The squadron did not assist the fishers because they suspected their 'complicity owing to their obstinate persistence in cutting the line of the Russian advance. Several failed to show lights and others showed them very late.” - , ■ -

' The British Embassy at St. Petersburg states that no insurmountable complications are anticipated in Russian official circles. Reuter’s Agency reports that Lord LansdoWflC, Minister for Foreign Affairs, has indicated that he does not share the general pessimism, and hopes soon to. make- a definite and satisfactory statement. Another high official remarked “ I believe We Will worry through all right.” - Rozhdestvensky’s second telegram stated : “We met hundreds of fishers and showed them every consideration except when in company with foreign torpedoers, one of which disappeared the' other way and.refrained from giving assistance, fearing to betrAy herself to those Who’ Were riot Accomplices. In the name of the fleet 1 express sincere regret for the unfortunate victims of the circumstances. No warship, even in profound peace, could have acted otherwise, Count Lnrasdorff states that Courts of Enquiry will be held at Vigo if the laws of neutrality will permit. Rozhdestvensky’s explanations are causing surprise and irritation. It is denied that Prance has offered mediation. The English and American press ridicule the Russian explanation. The Times says: “ Admiral RoZbdesvensky’s statements are sime ra incredible,”’ and characterises th as “ a tissue of palpable untruths, wholly irreconcilable with facts,” The paper goes on to say: “If the Russian Government adopts such a defence the sooner the discussion is broken off the better,” The Novoe Vremya ascribes the incident to the moral state of the Russian sailors, who were “ starting on a long voyage accompanied by all the alarms neutrality could devise.” The Svet boasts that Russia is not so isolated as is supposed. The Austrian press considers that Admiral Rozhdetvensky’s explanation has aggravated the situation, and the British are justified in demanding his recall and the stoppage of the fleet. When refused 2000 tons of coal per vessel, Admiral Rozhdestvensky complained that Spain was showing ill-will. THE ENQUIRY.

Reuter reports ; Britain and Russia have referred their dispute to a Court of Inquiry, probably in the terms of Article 9 of the Hague Peace Convention, the fleet meanwhile remaining at Vigo (Spain). It is reported that twenty days have been allowed for the inquiry. The Admiral states that some of the Russians were wounded, and one of his ships were injured during the attack on the trawlers. An outlying member of the trawing fleet reports that the last Russian warship fired at her at seven o’clock on Saturday morning, the shot passing between the funnel and foremast. NORWEGIAN AND GERMAN BOATS GET A KNOCK. JAPAN’S SYMPATHY. The Russian officers at Vigo assert that 50 boats continued their advance despite the signals to retire. The Amadul signalled : “ Am attacked.” The warships then fired. The master of the Norwegian steamer Skaatve states that on Sunday,'when in the English Channel, a Russian warship fired, ceasing when the Norwegian flag was hoisted. The Mayor of Tokio has cabled to ffie Mayor of Hull Japan’s profound

sympathy with the victims of th® Russian outrage There is an outburst of violence in the Russian press, the Admiral a report being fully believed in St, Petersburg and impedes a settlement, ■ It is officially reported that the Russians shelled the German trawler fionntag on the same night as the Dogger Bank occurrence. Vice-Admiral Lord Chas. Beresford’s fleet has started towards Vigo. Fresh denials are given at Hull regarding the presence of torpedoers amongst the trawlers.

IN THE VICINITY OF PORT ARTHUR. TERttrfiLE BLOODSHED ahead. ■ —• ;i “V, #>•* A merchant at Shanghai! h£s received a letter, dated 21st,.▼ which states that the Shells are causing great damage to the flset and harbour works. Some falling over the arsenal, the ammunition and small arms were destroyed, * Preparations have been made for the last ssruggle at Hose qdattH|i. The water supply hadbeln cue off and the supply consists only of tinned me|t and f&tf}” 1 ® garrison eat the! offal l^bl 1 which are regarded as a’bft'nqu?t^ The Polish and Jewish soldiers are watched lest they desert or commit treachery. The hospitals are in a deplorable condition. Over half the original garrison are dead, wounded, or sick. The besiegers are pressing jffitiser. When the end comes there will! be a desperate fight, as everything; ia mined. ??<>*■#» Tokio reports • that," Old Port Arthur is in flames; A dekperate general attack was made on the 26th and silenced the Russian batteries. The eastern Kithwhen fort,s, simultaneously stormed and occupied at the same time as. the- forts at Erlungsnan and Sungchowchott.