The Dogger Bank Outrage.

Manawatu Herald, 28 February 1905, Page 2

The Dogger Bank Outrage.

REPORT NOT COMPLETE.

LONDON, Feb. 24,

The Standard’s and Daily Telegraph’s correspondents report that the Commissioners find Admiral Rozhdestvensky ought to have remained and succoured the trawlers. The text of the findings will be published after the final sittings. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION’S REPORT. PARIS, Feb. 26. Admiral Fournier read the report in French. The Commissioners find that \dmiral Rozhdestvensky was responsible for the order to fire in consequence of the trawlers’ green flare signal arousing suspicions aboard, and Kniazsonvoroffs commander of the Kamchatka, wireless telegram telegram that he was attacked on all sides by torpedoers. Referring to the Swedish collier Aldebaran (which was ilso fired on) incident, this was said f o have previously induced Rozhdestvensky to issue a warning to the squadron that a torpedo attack was possible at one o’clock. The majority of the Commission were of opinion that the Russian warshio Aurora provoked the first fire ; that Admiral Rozhdestvensky’s firing was unjustifiable, since the trawlers were regularly lighted; that his attitude was not hostile; that no torpedoers were on the scene ; that the duration of the firing was longer than necessarv, though Rozhdestvensky endeavoured to prevent the firing when the trawlers were recognised as such. The Russian Commissioner dissents, declaring that the hostility {the trawlers was the cause of the firing. In conclusion the Commissioners declare that the opinions formulated do not reflect on the martial qualities, sentiments or humanity of Admiral Rozhdestvensky or the personnel ol the squadron. The Dogger Bank Commissioners, in their report, express the opinion that Admiral Rozhdestvensky’s precautionary orders were not excessive in view of the impossibility of checking the correctness of the Government’s warning nor considering the uncertainty of the danger. But it was improper to proceed after the firing had ceased, and they thought it regrettable Admiral Rozhdestvensky did not eommunibate with the authorities at Dover.