THE DOGGER BANK ATROCITY.

Manawatu Herald, 5 November 1904, Page 2

THE DOGGER BANK ATROCITY.

THE POSITION DEFINED. It is stated in Ministerial circles that the reason the recall of only four officers is accepted as a fulfilment of the condition upon which the fleet was to be allowed to leave Vigo, is due to the fact that Russia is on the defensive in regard to the North Sea affair, and it is not encumbent on Britain as plaintiff to dictate the number of Russian witnesses or the character of the evidence. The tribunal must judge whether Russia has a weak case, or presents inadequate testimony. Britain Is satisfied that her own case is strongly and amply supported. Moreover, after Russia's selection of responsible officers, Britain would not be justified in definitely detaining the fleet and hindering its mission in a war in regard to which Britain must carefully maintain neutrality. RUSSIANS DEMORALISED. A lieutenant aboard the Baltic fleet writes to his father that most of the crews, officers and men alike, were intoxicated and knew they were out of their course. An alarm was given that the flagship was aground, causing the three rearguard vessels to collide. Amidst the confusion the squadron encountered the supposed torpedo flotilla and fired on the latter. A rapid exchange of shots between two Russian vessels took place. The smaller shell used revealed Russian ammunition, showing that their own vessels were fighting. Several were wounded. Evefyone, from the Admiral downwards, are demoralised, and without heart or hope. VERDICT OF THE JURY. The verdict of the jury on George Smith and William Leggott was as follows :—“ The deceased men were “ fishing aboard the trawler Crane, “ on which the Board of Trade marks “ were exhibited and the regulation “ lights burning, and were killed by “ shots fired without warning or pro “ vocation from certain Russian war- “ ships, distant about a quarter of a “ mile."

The following .rider was added: “ The jury on this occasion, probably “ one of the most momentous in the “ history of the Empire, record their “ appreciation of the efforts made by “ the Governments interested to ar- “ rive at a satisfactory conclusion oC a matter which we feel is without “ parallel in the history of the “ world.” A SCATHING REPORT. The report of Admiral Tehuchin, Commanding the Black Sea fleet, created a painful impression in Russia. Reasserts that the officers are without interest in their profession, that incompetence is everywhere, that appalling muddles have occurred, signals been misunderstood or disobeyed, that many officers are ignorant of the regulations, and that there is an extraordinary lack of discipline in the fleet which is certain to be destroyed when it faces an enemy. MOBILISATION DEFERRED. Reuter’s Gibraltar correspondent says the mobilisation of troops and fleets has ended. Sir H. Hardinge submitted to Count Lamsdorff a proposal that four delegates representing Britain, Russia, Prance, and the United States should choose a fifth and sit at Paris. King Edward and the Czar have expressed satisfaction at the prospect of a satisfactory settlement. FOREIGN PRESS OPINIONS. The Japanese newspapers are surprised at England’s injudicious alacrity in accepting Russia’s assurance as an opportune means of avoiding a dangerous situation. The American newspapers ask what guarantees England possesses that the Russian officers concerned in the outrage will be punished. Novoe Yreraya says whatever the result of the inquiry, there will be no question of punishing the officers.