Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-27
BRITISH SHIPOWNERS
INCENSED OVER ACTION OF RUS
STA IN SEEING VESSELS.
Demand Protection of Their Interests
Branded an Outrage-Press
Counsels Patience.

A cablegram from London last night says:
The British government is taking energetic
action in the case of the sinking of the Brit
ish steamer knight Commander by the
Vladivostok squadron. Information received
by the government tends to establish in the
official mind belief that an outrage has
been committed for which no excuse exists
in international law. Those aware of the
feelings of the ministry said tonight that all
the members of the cabinet are in accord
regarding the principle Of the inviolability
of innocent neutral shipping as well as
upon the principle that a neutral ship can
not be destroyed even ii carrying CONTRA
band of war
The demands which will be made upon the
Russian government will include compensa-
ton to the owners of the ship and to the
owners of the goods on board the Knight
Commander, an apology for the action OF
the Russian cruisers, and agreement that
instructions be given to prevent repet-
ton of such action.
Appeals for Government Protection.
British ship owners are up In arms over
the dangers which shipping is now running,
and are bombarding the government with
representations looking to the thorough pro-
lection Of their interests.
Arthur Cohen, one OF the counsel Tor the
British government in the Alabama claims
arbitration case, now judge of the Clnque
ports and standing counsel for the Univer-
sity Of Cambridge, said to the Associated
Press tonight:
1T is scandalous this reckless seizure and
destruction Of neutral shipping by Russian
vessels. The sinking of the Knight Com
mander was totally illegal.
Wheaton, in his work on international
law, states explicitly that IL the prize Is a
neutral ship no circumstances Will justify
her destruction before condemnation, that
E,,lI ton,
II the vessel is destroyed 1uil compensation
must be given to her owner. but that own
ers Of contraband of war on board the ship,
II any have no substantial ground for COM
plant because the destruction OF the YES
sci does not injure them. Had the knight
Commander been condemned as a good
prize the owners of the contraband cargo
would consequently suffer no loss by the
sinking of the ship. Owners of neutral
goods on ships are entitled to compensation,
as are the owners of the vessels.
Sinking Of Steamer Unjustifable.
Russia may advance the contention that
the knight Commander was carrying con-
traband Of the character Of which her own
er was aware and that he, therefore, was
guilty of an offense against international
law. This would not justify the sinking of
the Knight Commander nor would the UNI
willingness Of the Russian commander to
reduce the complement of his squadron in
order to furnish a prize crew be an excuse
for such action. That was the misfortune
Of the Russians. 1t seems to me to be the
time for the United States and Great Brit
ain to say that they will not allow this ex-
tension of the rules relating to contraband
or this extraordinary Interference with neu-
trail commerce.
II continue to feel convinced that Russia
does not want trouble with other nations
and will order a more strict observance Of
International law II energetic remonstra-
tons are addressed to her."
Opinion Of the Press.
The Gazette on March published state
ment communicated to the British by the
Russian government, setting forth regula-