New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-04
WILL MEYER RECEDE.
This Government Takes Issue 7cith
Russia Contention as to Foodstufs.

Washington Aug 3.-The State Department Is
in Geographic communication with It's agencies
abroad respecting the Russian seizures and de-
struction Of American goods. but IS not yet
ready 10 define its position TO the whole sub
iect OF seizures precisely. These exchanges are
not confined 10 St Petersburg and Washington,
but are intended 10 develop the purposes OF the
governments OF other nations. and particularly
Of Great Britain and Germany. whose shipping
has suffered more than that Of any other coun-
tries. The loss Of a part Of cargo is, IN point
of international law. issue Of far less magni-
tude than the destruction of a ship and so far
the British ana Germans have lost their ships
and the Americans only cargo. This fact IS
believed 10 justify the state Department in pro-
ceeding more leisurely than would otherwise be
the case. leaving # to the larger sufferers 20
establish their own policies respecting seizures.
1t is said here that the precedents already
tabllshed in the Spanish and Boer wars as we'll
IS In the operations in China in the Black Flag
uprising have worked satisfactorily and have
received such universal approval. that under
40 circumstances will America now recede from
the doctrine that foodstuffs not directly intended
for the use of a belligerent army or navy can
not be regarded as contraband While this con-
tention is directly at variance with the Russian
decree on the subject. promulgated at the
beginning of the present war. in view of the
fact that il IS believed to be the German posi-
ton, and IS certainly that OF the British, as
evidenced by their paying for American food
cargoes seized IN the Boer war, the state De
partment is sure Of sufficient support TO obige
the Russian government to abandon Its con-
tention and to dcsist from further seizures OF
American foodstuffs consigned not only 10
China. but even to individuals in Japan. unless
It can be clearly shown by the Russians that the
fl,a DV
navy
There is no disposition to make an issue further
of the Ardova case This British ship seized
by one Of the volunteer Russian cruisers In the
Red Sea and sent to Suez. where she
leased and resumed her journey. She had on
board quantity of supplies for the Philippine
government The American government is will
ing to concede the right of stoppage and search
to a reasonable degree and has decided TO make
no issue on this point. But the mails on the
vessel were ransacked and delayed; and while
all the facts not at hand. it is possible that
some of them were American mails. Without
further studying the subject. the government
here is not willing to admit the right of inter-
ference to this degree.
Ambassador Mccormick has informed the
State Department from St Petersburg that in
reply to his inquiries relative to the seizure by
the VIadivostok squadron of the Hamburg
American steamer Arabia, with a cargo or
American goods. which represented by the
agents to include contraband. the Russian
Minister for Foreign Affairs has said:
in conformity with tho rules OF conduct pub
lished by the imperial government some time ago.
detachment of Russian vessels seized 81 July
2. 100 miles north of Yokohama. the steamship
Arabia, which was then taken to Vladivostok. and
the case OF her seizure was laid before the local
court. Upon the decision OF this court will rest
the question whether the Arabia is 70 be re-
leased or treated prize
The State Department has sent this notice to
the American firms which have complained of
the seizure of their goods on the Arabia in order
that they may appear by counsel before the
prize court If they care 20 do so. 1t is expected
that Mr.. Greener. the American Consul at
/ Vladivostok, also VIII watch the proceedings
A prize court is not regarded here as q strictly
| judicial tribunal, and there is ample precedent
for requesting revision of its work and 1udg-
ment in case the latter is unsatisfactory and be-
lieved TO have been irregular.
| There have been no further representations to