The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-08-26
PREMIER BALFOUR MAKES
IMPORTAT STATEMENT
London Chamber of commerce De-
clares That British Vessels Are
Being Disseminated Against,
Which Is Ruinous to
Commerce.

1ondon. August 25-Prime Minister
,,a,so,,r announced this evening that the
British government had oroereu W.
cruisers from the squadron at the eapo
of Good Hope without delay TO loeaee
the Russian volunteer feet steamers
smolensk and st. Petersburg ana TO con-
vev to them the orders of the Russian
government that they must not further
interfere with neutral shipping.
The premier stated that this action was
taken at the request of the Russian gov
ernment.
This extraordinary statement was made
when the premier, by appointment receiV-
ed a deputation of the London chamber
of commerce. The deputation was ap-
pointed at a meeting held earlier IN the
day by the China and East India section
of the chamber. which was attended by
renresentatiye ship owners and others
interested in the trade In the far east
and at which the following resolution was
passed:
Pass Strong Resolution.
"Thjs meeting of the members of the
London chamber of commerce concerned
in the trade with the far east views with
grave apprehension the continued uncer-
tainty of the position of British trade and
shipping with regard to what constitutes
contraband of war as interpreted by the
Russian government The meeting trusts
that his majesty's government will take
such immediate and effective steps as will
afford all reasonable protection to British
shipping and ensure 1t the same degree
of immunity from vexatious stoppages
and examinations as apparently enjoyed
by shipping of other nationalities.
At the same time the meeting prepared
a letter addressed to Lord Iansdowne.
the foreign minister, in which 1t will be
stated that the continuance of the present
situation was having a disastrous effect
| on shipping. and was causing irrepara-
( BILE damage to the whole course of trade
| with Japan and the far east The letter
further said that the commercial COM
munlty would welcome any measures,
however stringent that might be neces-
sary to place British commerce on the
same footing with that of other non
belligerent countries in the treatment of
so-called contraband of war.
important Officials Summoned.
Prior to receiving the deputation Mr..
Balfour during the day had been busIly
engaged in connection with the question
Wnlcn nau Deen raised with regard 10
Russian treatment of British shipping.
The premier held an important meeting
at the foreign office. to which representa-
tives of the intelligence department of the
war office, the admiralty. the foreign Of
fee and the board of trade were sum-
moned
The premier afterwards received the
deputation from the chamber of COM
merce
general step he desired to hear evidence
tending to show preferential treatment
by Russia, which was most important
phase of the situation. and concerning
which the government had no conclusive
Information, and to learn of any concrete
examples of differential treatment by
Russian officers and Russian prize courts
which he said would be carefully con-
sdered.
Members of the deputation quoted the
cases of the Portland and Asatic line
steamer Arabic and the British steamer
Calchas.
The former was allowed to proceed,
while the latter was still at Vladivostok,
and the members pointed out that both
cases were equal so far as the nature
of the cargoes were concerned.
The cases of the Peninsular and Orien-
tai Company's steamer Malacca and the
were also quoted
Each OF these vessels had ammunition
on board but the Scandia was allowed
to proceed. The deputations referred to
the sinking OF the British steamer Knight
Commander, and the German steamer
Thea by the Vladivostok squadron, and
pointed out that compensation had been
pald IN the case of the Thea, while 1t
had not been even promised In that of the
Knight Commander. Members Of the dem
utaton also stated that II was notorio,is
that shipments of contraband of war had
been made from Antwerp and Hamburg
while insurance rates from those and
from French ports were much lower than
from English ports in the ratio of 5 to
20 shillings.
Mr.. Balfour asked If the pronor+ion 90
British shipping to the far east was so
per cent, and member of the deputs fion
replied that It was about 90 per cent.
Premier Begins His Reply.
The premier then began his reply ua
said the questions uSt be considered SEN
arately and in the light of different con-
ditions. In the frs. place, special difficul-
ties had arisen between Great Britain and
Russia, owing to the captures made bv
volunteer fleet steamers, which had
passed the Dardanelles In the character Of
vessels other than war ,esseIs as all
versey and the Russion government gave
assurance without making a statement on
the question of the principle involved that
vessels Of this feet would not make fur
ther captures.
Then when the Smolensk stopped another
British vessel CThe Comedian) a painful
impression was created and the govern
ment made urgent inquiries as to how this
could be reconciled Nth former assur-
ances
Not Certain About Orders.
Premier Balfour said he had been in
formed last night by Ambassador Benck-
encorff that the Russian government was
not certain that the Smolensk had re-
ceived orders In accordance with the re-
cent agreement concerning the treatment
of neutral ships.
Therefore. in accordance with the sug-
Eestion Of the British government, the