New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-21
BRITISH PROTEST MADE
DardanelIes Question Left Open
RuSSia'S attitude.

81 Petersburg. July 20.-S.r Charles Hardinge
the British Ambassador to Russia this after
noon in behalf of his government presented
strong protest - Russia against the seizure and
detention Of the Peninsular and Oriental steam
er Maiacca. which was carrying three hundred
tons of British government stores for The naval
establishment at Hong Kong each case Of which
marked with the broad arrow which is the
government stamp.
The ambassador also presented general pro-
test against the action OF the Russian volunteer
feet steamers in the Red Sea.
The protest does not raise the question OF the
passage OF the DardaneIIes by vessels Of The
volunteer heeI, it being understood that Great
Britain IS reluctant TO reopen the question OF
the Dardanelles. and that she Will not do 50
save as a last resort.
Russia has reason to believe and contends
that the Malacca. in addition TO British govern
ment stores. had board munitions intended
for Japan. It IS understood that before sending
the cruisers into the Red Sea. the Russian au-
thorities became satisfied through an elaborate
system Of espionage that an immense amount of
contraband was going from England through
the Red Sea 10 Japan. and they decided 70 stop
the traffic
II this traffic is now diverted to the Cape
route the Russian Admiralty is understood to be
prepared 70 send ships 10 the Cape OF Good
Hope If Great Britain objects 10 the passage
( OF the Dardanelles by more vessels OF the voun-
teer fleet. the ships intended for cruising Off the
Cape may be sent from the Baltic. In this con-
nection important developments believed to
be imminent.
The attempts to stir up a sensation out of
the passage Of the Darcaneues ny the Russian
guardship Chernorloretz are termed ridiculous
here. This Warship. being the regular Athens
guardsh.p. has been passing in and out OF the
Black Sea for twenty years.
The Russ to-day publishes an editorial
I statement OF Russia's attitude The statement
is believed 10 reflect directly the views OF the
Foreign Office. Il follows:
The operations OF the converted cruisers
Smolensk and St. Petersburg are causing ire
nlendous excitement in England. Questions are
being asked in Parliament. the newspapers are
appealing TO the puzzle and there Is panic
among snip-owners. There also IS great deal
OF talk in Germany because OF the seizure OK
mails on the steamer Prinz Heinrich, but the
most noise there is being made by extremist
organs the others treating the matter cooIly-
II is pity the English do not display the same
Teutonic calHnesS.
II is easy TO understand that the British
merchant marine feels these restrictions severe
~ AS result of the stopping ana searching
OF vessels, English ships either must give up
own risk and peril IN time OF war between TWO
powers. Others are bound 10 suffer more or
less, as II ~ impossible TO check contraoand
traffic without search.
In regard 10 the detention OF the PrinZ Helm
ricn mails, details nave not YET Fedcur0 -
Petersburg Comprehensive discussion OF this
incident is therefore. impossible: but II must
! be pointed that the official correspondence
! OF q belligeTent is contraband. Consequently
II the Prinz Heinrich carried Japanese diplo-
matte and consular reports she Vas liable 10
! seizure.
! The En- Zlish. in their excitement even raised
/ the question whether were justified in con-
/ Eerting the volunteer feet steamers into war
/ ships after they had passed the Dardanelles
under the commercial flag This Is strange
! Every government has right either 10 build
| warships ia its yards order them abroad
/ buy them already built and finally 10 convert
4 feet al It's inception, was intended 10 be con-
verted into military feet upon the declaration
/ OF war.
The English should not feel incensed over the
passage OF the ST. Petersburg and Smolensk
/ through the Dardanelles. The British embassy
/ Turkish government every time volunteer
/ heef vessel passes the straits. For many years
I these protests have been entirely disregardec
/ and, therefore. long ago lost their Importance
| Before the war, the Dardanelles were repeated
/ " passed oy volunteer ships the way 10 the
4 tons beard If, this were possible before the
war il is possible now. as there mas oeeh
J no change in relations with turkey as d
result OF the with Japan
When the ST. Petersburg and Smoiensh
I rassed through the straits under the merchant
rag their destination was correctly given as
being the Far East. In fact the vessels upon
! entering the Red Sea armed hoisted the mill
: tary flag. .,,,, ,
/ A Fundamental principle of international law
/ that & neutral flag covers neutral Boous VIZ
! no. OF course be violated by our cruisers
/ CorsequentIv cargoes aboard the ships OF
! neutral powers containing no contrapahd OF
! war will remain as free as ever