The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-07-30
ENGLAND Demands
full PREPARATION
BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO RUS
STA INSTRUCTED TO MAKE
ENERGETIC PROTEST.
MUST APOLOGIZE AND
PAY OWNERS OF SHIP
Action Is elimination of Grievances
Based on Sinking of Knight Com
mander - Protection of Neutral
Vessels Demanded.

vessels Demanded.
London, July 2S.-The British gov
eminent sent instructions to Sir Charles
Hardinse. the British ambassador to
Russia, Wednesday to theoretically pro-
test against the sinking of the British
steamer Knight Commander by the Rus
sian Vladivostok squadron. Until the
presentation of the note to the Russian
government the greatest secrecy will be
maintained regarding its contents, but
it is known that Premier Baltour and
his colleagues have decided to demand
that the fullest reparation shall be
made by Russia, or measures will be
taken to follow up the diplomatic de-
mands. The British note, as Sir Charles
Hardinge will submit it, will not mem
tion the amount of indemnity Russia
must pay the owners of the ship and
British subjects having goods on board
the vessel. but all that will be sought
will be the establishment of the princi-
pie of indemnity and apology. salute
of the British flag must also be conced-
ed and the future protection of neutral
shipping assured.
Cause of Attitude.
The attitude Of the British govern
ment is the result of the thorough con-
sideration given to the reports received
from Sir Claude Macdonald. the British
minister at Toxic, and the examination
of international law authorities by legal
Il ,J5,1, f,,<>, T1p,, In
Macdonald confirm the reports that
the Knight Commander had no contra
band of war on board for Japan. The
government and all the British authori-
ties, it is asserted, unite on the point
that there was no justification for the
sinking of the vessel. 1t is felt in gov
eminent circles that the Knight Com
mander incident overshadows the Red
sea seizures, which practically have been
adjusted, but which have failed to set
tie the question of the rights of neutral
commerce.
In the light of the declaration of the
Russian government respecting contra
band of war; made three weeks after
hostilities commenced, no representa-
tions have been made by Count
Benckendorff, the Russian ambassador
to Great Britain. to Foreign Secretary
Lansdowne regarding the knight Com
mander, the ambassador not having re-
ceived advices from st. Petersburg on
the subject, nor is 1t seen by the Rus
sian diplomats how it is possible for
their government to make prompt an
swer to the British demands 1t is not
known when the VladivOstok squadron
will return to port.
Breach of international Law.
That the British government regards
the sinking of the steamer Knight Com
mander as a breach of international law
was confirmed by Premier Balfour in the
house Of commons Wednesday after
noon. Answering questions regarding
the destruction of the Knight Command
err and the seizure of the Malacca and
other vessels the premier said he hoped
to be In a position to make a brief state
ment regarding the Malacca Thursday
AS to the sinking of the knight Com
mander. he regretted that information
"h1ti IClShSN lllC tollIl HIS lIIlS
regrettable occurrence" Mr.. Balfour
added: There is no question of loss
of life, but am afraid there is a ques-
ton of breach of International law"
To Surrender the Malacca.
Algiers, July 2S.-The Peninsuar &
Oriental Steamship company's steamer
Malacca, which was seized in the Red
sea July 16 by the Russian volunteer
fleet steamer St Petersburg, has arrived
here with a prize crew on board. After
protracted conference on board the
Malacca between the British and Rus
sian consuls and Capt Schwartz, COM
handing the prize crew, it was an
nounced that the Russian flag would be
replaced by the British at six o'clock
"Wednesday evening The Malacca s
British crew recently arrived at Mar
settles, and it is expected that they will
be summoned to take charge of the ship
which will resume her interrupted voy-
age eastward.
Two Vessels Released.
SucZ, July 2S.-The Peninsular and
Oriental Steamship company's steam.
cr Formosa, which was captured in the
Red sea by the volunteer fleet steamer
SmOlensk, and which arrived here
Tuesday flying the Russian naval flag
and with a prize crew on board, has
been released. She continued her voy.
age eastward. The Hamburg Amer.
lean line steamer Holsatia. which ar
rived here Wednesday morning also
having on board prize crew, has
likewise been released.
Double Tragedy in Colorado.
Pueblo, Col, July 2S-Mrs. ]. J. AT
flew was almost instantly killed NV q