The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-05-08

70 no solely intended to divert attention. Capt.
Badenhausen has inquired whether the GUS
toms laws Of this country require ship to clear
Tor any particular port foreign or domestic,
md seemed ANNOYED when told that they did.
The ship has no clearance from Baltic port
naming port of destination. The officers re-
ceivo courteously anybody coming to them with
proper introductiona. Yesterday they enter
tnihed at lunch on board, the, Rev Mr.. Ropes
nnd wife Of Ellsworth. and n few others. Mr..
Ropes was born in liussia. AMI IL the son OF the
famous Russian merchant. He was received
by the Russian officers with warm cordiality.
hint. however, OF their plans. Indeed. i is
more and more apparent that they are waiting
orders.
Count Aloxijeff one Of the Russian officers on
the Cmhra. left on the steamer Lewiston yes
tcrday afternoon. He said he was to visit Bos-
ton.
Capt Bndenhausen and the Russian officers
were asked II they did not think they were in
nrrll IN ease war was suddenly deciareI, as
Badcnhauscn insisted that he could not be
troubled. as he was the German commander OF
q German ship under the German Mug. point
ing to the ensign. He said the deck of his ship
WIS German territory. which GREAT britain
would not attempt TO dusecrate. He was carry
ing passengers. which was lawful occupation
for n"utrals His passenger list was in due form,
and the men he was CARRYING were passengcrs in
n legal sense. The ships stores wcrc the prop
crty OF the Russian Government The Russian
officers entertained the same view, ana said
they were outside OF the rule OF international
law that made n neutral ship carrying an
enpmys forces liable to conilsration. This is
evidently the theory they proceed upon. namely.
that they are legal passengers. The officers
wear no uniform. and the mon do not salute the
officers when on shore. On the other hand.
petty officers wear badges OF rank. and are
obcyed even on shore. The men are in divi-
sions and under naval discipline.
The Associated Press correspondent urged
that the inevitable consequence Of the officers
theory Is that they have no legal control over
the men that n man being only passenger on
passenger vessel is at full liberty TO leave the
Vessr at will. He only owes obedience to the
officers OF the ship and not 10 other passengers.
hnh"as corpus would reach the humblest Lnpp
or Finn on board and set him free from service.
Any punishment 10y the Russian officers would
b" an of nee against the laws OF Maine. and
I'm Ter them liable to prosecution. On the other
hand the officers could have no help from
local or Federal authorities to enforce obedience
except TO the rules of the vessel: in fine. there
would be an utter dissolution Of authority.
The officers acknowledged that this might he
the legal result OF their position. but they had
no fears 81 mutiny, They evidently rely. on the
mems faith on their Ignorance OF the English
language. and perhaps on the mems belief that
they are under martial law: yet discipline is
evidently enforced Ii must I've remembered
however. that neither the Russian officers nor
the officers Of the ship have ever admitted that
the passengers were part OF the Russian navy.
That Is the observation and inference OF the
correspondent. and there can be no doubt OF II.
However. IL is evident that they mean in every
way to maintain the theory of peaceful passen-
gers on a peaceful ship. The passenger list
puts III IN down not as mariners. but as trades
men. They mean to clear from this port in the
same manner. When the mask will be thrown
OF depends upon their superiors.