The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-07-29
RUSSIA AGAIN BACKS
 DOWN TO GREAT BRITAIN
TO MAKE FULL REPARd-
 TION IF WRONG.

British Foreign Minister Sc Informed
 by Czar's Ambassador at London-
 Tension in Relations Relaxed and a
 Rupture Does Not Now Seem Prob
 able-statements by Premier Balfour
 and Lord Lansdowne in Parliament.
 London, July 2S.-The tension in the
 Russo British relations has been relax ed and no rupture is now regarded as possible. Count Benckendorff, the Rus
 sian ambassador to Great Britain. in
 formed Lord Lansdowne this morning that if Russia had committed a wrong she was ready and willing to make full Irepafation, but before esy action could
 be taken sn the Knight Commander case the Russian government must have the opportunity of receiving the report of the commander of the Vladivostok squadron. Lord Lansdowne was not dis posed unduly to press the matter, and promised to wait reasonable time.
 In the house of common this afternoon
 Premier Balfour said the acute stage of the Red Sea incident had passed. land that the Russian volunteer fleet vessels would be withdrawn He laid
 down the British view that no belliger- Ient's warship could issue from the
 Black sea, and that the volunteer fleet vessels in issuing therefrom, if they took beiligerent action, either had no fright to issue or not right to take such faction. The strongest possible excep- ltion had been taken to the seizure of the MaIacca on the above ground. the Ipremier added. The Russian govern |ment had met the British contention In Iregard to this particular incident. As Ito the Knight Commander case the gdV- Ierninent had earnestly protested that the sinking of that vessel was contrary to the accepted practice of nations. Mir. BaIfour's Exact Words. MT. Balfour's exact words in regard to Ithe Russian assurances on the subject Iof the seizure of the Malacea and other vessels were as follows:
 The Russian government have met Jus in this matter, I will nit say on q general principle, but in regard to this particular instance. The Malacca could fA4OS kyC 0E4OAC P D44C 1S4G F OIL fJElltls but she has now been released at AL Igiers. The Russian government at the Esame time gave us assurances that if the vessels of the volunteer feet made further captures before instructions Ieould reach them, that, pending the discussion of the general principle in Evolved, no action should be taken, and that these captures should be regarded as not having occurred. In accordance with that arrangement the Ardoya and Tor1nosa have been released. We have lreceived assurances that the volunteer fleet vessels are to be withdrawn from the Red Sea, and we have little doubt | that there will be no further desire on | the part of the Russian government to Iemploy them as cruisers. So far there fore as those ships go the controversy has passed out of the acute stage will not say that the government of this country and Russia have reached an lagreenent on the general principle, but II think we need not anticipate any practical violation of the view we very lstrongiy hold is likely to occur. z
 Mir Balfour assumed more serious tone as he referred to the Knight Com lmander.
 There are, am sorry to say, said 1 the premier, "other questions, not con lnected with the incident all, which
 must cause some discussion between the two governments, and, like all dis Icussions between governments. there l1nay be legitimate cause for anxiety.
 We hold that it is not proper that, on l the authority of the captain of cruis- Ter, goods alleged to be contraband of war should be taken from a merchant lship without trial"
 (Continued on Second Page)