THE BALTIC FLEET OUTRAGE

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1137, 4 November 1904, Page 2

THE BALTIC FLEET OUTRAGE

Prospect of Mil Mm)

Paris Sngyested as Scene of Commission

lext of Verdict of the Hull Jury

Tiie Russian Witnesses Leave Vigo

Arrive at Paris, en route for Russia

•"nui AaMoiatioa.—Cflßjrijnt,

London, Not. 3 The Japanese newspapers are surprised at England's injudicious alacrity in accepting Russia's assurance,and describe it as an opportune means of avoiding a dangerous situation.

the trawlers at Hull, and found that thoy were struck by explosive shelh and bullets from small-bore guns The shells and bullets bore the dis-i , tinctive marks of Russian manufacture.

The American newspapers ask what guarantee England possesses that the Russian officers concerned in the outrage will be punished. Tho German newspapers express anxiety that neither Russia nor Britain has signified her readiness to unconditionally accept the arbitrament of the International Tribunal,

THE BRITISH CABINET MEETING PROSPECTS OP PEACE THE SCENE OF THE COM. MISSION PARIS SUGGESTED THE BBITISI-I ATTITUDE LAUGHING-STOCK OF GER. MANY Press Association—Copyright. London, Nor. 3 Mr Balfour presided at the Cabinet meeting, which lasted an hour and a-half.

The Novoe Vremya says that whatever the result of the enquiry) there is no question as to the punishing of the officers. The Admiral may have Gred on the British warships for watching the fleet, • Eighteen thousand Russian students liavo appealed to the Czar in tin; interests of peace. A French torpedoer during a fog approanhod a Russian transport and destroyers, and the latter were about <o fire, when the French flag was hoisted.

M. Cambon's (French Ambassador) interview with M. BenckendorfT (Russian Ambassador) and Lord Lansdowne indicates a continnance of pacific efforts. M. Benckendorff has issued a reassuring statement.

THE BLACK SEA FLEET SENSATIONAL OFFIUIAL REPORT INCOMPETENCE AND MUDDLE EVERYWHERE FLEET CERTAIN TO BE DESTROYED Press Association—Copyright, London, Nov. 3 A report by Admiral Tehuchin, commanding the Black Sea Fleet, has created a painful impression in Russia. lie asserts that the officers are without interest in their profession, and that therp is incompetence and muddle everywhere. He states that signals are misunderstood or disobeyed. Many of the officers are ignorant of the regulations, and show an extraordinary lack of discipline.

Keuter's Gibraltar correspondent says that the mobilisation of the troops and fleets has ended.

Sir Charles Hardinge has submitted to Count Lamsdorll a proposal that four delegates shall represent Britain, Russia, France, and the United States, and that they should choose a fifth, and ivleo that the commission should sit in Paris.

King Edward and the Czar have expressed satisfaction at the prospect of a satisfactory settlement. German newspapers are sarcastic. They declare that Mr 'Balfour, after ineffectual bluff, has beat a retreat, and has obtained practically nothing.

THE INQUEST ON THE BODIES VERDICT OF THE Jtnft " KILLED WITHOUT WARNING OR PROVOCATION " Press Association,—Copyright London, Nov. 3 The verdict of the Hull jury was aB follows: "That George Smith and William Leggott, while fishing aboard the Crane, on which the Board of Trade marks were exhibited and the regulation lights were burning, were kiiled by shots fired without warning or provocation from certain Russian warships, distant about a quarter of a mile,"

He adds that the fleet is certain to be destroyed when it faces the enomy. THE ATTACK ON THE FISHERS LETTER PROM. A BALTIC FLEET LIEUTENANT ALL THE RUSSIAN CREWS DRUNK

HOW THE ALARM OCCURRED OFFICERS AND MEN DEMORALISED Press Association.—Copyright lONdon, November 3 A lieutenant aboard the Baltic floet writes to his father as follows " Most of the crows, officers and men alike, were intoxicated, but knew that they woro out of their course, " An alarm was given that the flag, ship was aground, causing three of tlio rearmost' vessels to collide.

The jury added the following rider: "That the jury on this the occasion of probably one of the most momentous in the history of tho Empire, record their appreciation of the efforts made by the Governments interested to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion on a matter which we feel is without parallel in the history of the world."

"DIGNITY AND FIRMNESS OF THE GOVERNMENT." Press Association—Copyright London, Nov. 3 Sir 11. Fowler (Liberal), a member of the House of Commons, speaking at Wolverhampton, oxpressed his personal and the universal appreciation iind admiration felt by the kingdom at the courage, dignity, firmness and statesmanship wherewith the Government had defended the country's honour, and secured for us peace with the world.

" Amidst tho confusion the squad ron encountered what was supposed to bo a torpodo flotilla, and fired," Ho states that later in the night there was an oxchango of shots between two Russian vessels, and the smaller Bhell used revealed Russian ammunition, showing that their own vessels were fighting. Bevoi al of tho crew were wounded. Tho letter concluded: "Everyone, from the admiral downwards, is demoralised, and without heart or hope,"

THE DEPARTURE OF THE FLEET RUSSIA'S EXCUSE Press Association,—Copyright London, Nov, 3 It is stated in Ministerial circles that the recall of only four of the officers is accepted as the fulfilment of the condition upon which the fleet was to be allowed to leave Vigo, and is due to the fact that Russia is upon the defensive in regard to the North Sea affair, and that it is not incumbent on Britain, as plaintiff

THE INJURED TRAWLERS SHELLS AND BULLETS EXAMINED FOUND TO BE RUSSIAN Press Association Copyright London, Nov. 3 Capt. Thomson, Chief Inspector of Eifplosiveß, has wamined four of

to dictate the number of Russian witnesses or character of the evidence. The Tribunal must judge whether Russia has a weak case or inadequate testimony, Britain being satisfied that her own case is Btrong and amply supported. Moreover, after Russia's selection of the responsible officers, Britain would not be justified in indefinitely detaining the fleet and hindering its mission in a war in which Britain must care* fully maintain neutrality.

THE FOUR WITNESSES LEAVE VIGO

ON THEIR WAY TO ST. PETERSBURG Press Association,-Copyright. London, Nov. 3 The four witnesses, Captain Clado, Lieut, Ellis. Captain Otto, and Senior Officer Schramchenko, have readied Paris. Tlry aro proceeding to St Petersburg. Clado declares that he is absolutely certain that the Russians fired on Japanese torpedoers. It would be impossible for the '.fa arbitrators to accept the fishermen's testimony against the word of the admiral and officers. A member of the Japanese L«ga. tion at Madrid ridicules the idea that Japanese torpedoers were any' whore near Hull.

SHEPHERDING THE BALTIC , FLEET GERMANY'S CHANGE OP VIEWS Press Association,—Copyright, London, Nov. 3 The Morning Post stales that the Channo!, Mediterranean, and East Indian squadrons will successively and benevoently shepherd Admiral Rozhdestvonsky on his voyage to the Par East. Correspondents in Berlin show that whilo war was threatened tho inspired newspapers encouraged Britain with disquisitions on the onoripity oi tho North dea outrage, but now that things are purBuiuß a diplomatic courao they confess they have abandoned thoir first favourable impression of British vigour, maritime power, and prowoss, and endeavour to show that we have auflerelagreatdiplomatio defeat.

They aro lavish in their praises of Russia, MATTER BEFORE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT MOTION FOR ARBITRATION NEGATIVED Adooiatinn.—Copyright. Melbourne, this day. In tho Senate Mr Higgs moved that a cable bo sent to Russia and Britain congratulating them on referring tho disputo to arbitration. The motion was negatived by 18 to 10,