The North Sea Commission.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7748, 25 February 1905, Page 2

The North Sea Commission.

REPORTED FINDINGS OR CHIEF ISSUES. (Heccived Feb. 24, 9.14 p. m ,) LONDON, Feb. !H. At a private sitting of the Commission yesterday. Admiral Founder road a report, which all the Commission thereupon signed. The t«xt was afterwards communicate! to the Agents of Great Britain and Russia. I'he report i» drafted by a system of questions and answers, with a record showing whether the answer* of the Commissioners were unanimous or if they were merely carried by a majority. Beutcr's Pari* agency'* tvtograni* und those from St. Petersburg concur in stating that while Russian good faith is recognised Russia is held responsible for the damage done to the trawlers and fishermen, and it is directed that Russia shall adequately compensate the sufferers. To the question "Were the Russians justified in apprehending an attack ?" the answer is : "Yes, in view of the rumour currently circulated." To the second question : "Was Admiral Uozhdestvensky justified in Uking the precautions he did Uy firing upon what he thought were torpedo boats?" the answer i»: "yes." To the third question : "Ought the squadron to have stopped to render assistance ?" thl> answer is : "No," but it is added that the Admiral ought 'to have conveyed Information of the event by wireless telegraph or otherwise to France or England. On all other points the report i* favourable to Urrtish contentions, and unreservedly dismisses the Kussian affirmation of the actual presence of torpedo boats. It is also understood that it declares that the Russians fired upon their own vesrel, the Aurora. Reutor's Paris agency reports that the Conuuisßion thinks that the Russian fire, whereof the trawlers wore the victims, lasted too long, and that when Admiral Rozhdestvensky arrived in British waters he ought to have informed the maritime authorities of the deplorable incident of the molestation of llritish shipping. TARTING CEREMONIES OF THE COMMISSIONERS. (Received Feb. 25, 0.27 a.m.) PARIS, Feb. 24. The. four foreign Admirals gave a dinner to Admiral Founder and tho ofHcials of the Commission to-day. Admiral Spaun, toasting President Loubet', acknowledged tho welcome and hospitality extended to tho Commitaioners, thus enabling them to bring thoir task to a speedy nnd satisfactory conclusion.