The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-07-19
WAR CLOUD HOW
OVER ALLE[IIf(II1
ENGLAND AND GERMANY MAY
CALL RusstS TO AccouN T-----; T---s
FOR SEIZURE OF THEIR
STEAMERS.
RUSSIA WILL L,NcELY .t:AN.E TO
MAKE sEVERALz ExPLANA
TIoNSz AND PAY tfQDEK
NIFTY REStCEs.
S TEAM ERS.

defined feeIingsin official quarters thar
the seizure of the British aud German
| steamers by the Russian volunteer
cruisers Sn4olensk and Petersburg
marks the first European complica.
| ton resultant upon the Russo-JapaI-
ese war How extensive this complt
/ ture events alone can determine, but
at present the feeling of uneastness
has become fear that the end of the
matter Will not be reached before
England and perhaps Germany are
forced to take stringent measures to
bring Russia to terms in the matter.
This feeling was mirrored today
on the stock exchange
The continent sold generally and to
an important extent. Kafirs We're rs
lower. and American Railway shares
dropped. Spanish fours We're fiat at
IS5; Turkish United were quoted at
S41% Japanese old fives We're Off II /,
while these new fives and fours were
inactive and unchanged. Russian
fours were an exception. being firm
at 921s.
The feeling of uneasiness and fear
was accentuated to-day by the action
of the British admiralty which has or
dered the Mediterranean squadron to
leave Malta. and proceed Immediately
to Alexandra, which is close to the
mouth of the Suez canal, and has
further directed two fast cruisers to
proceed to the Suez canal and take
station in the Red Sea. The home
L,
biiized#fo naanoeuvres presumably
but it is pointed ont that these ma
noeIirres never occur until the fall
and their present mobilization is.
taken to have a peculiar significance.
; The admiralty has issued no eS-
planation of the ordering of the Medi-
terranean squadron and the cruisers
to the Suez, but dispatch from Ber-
lin states that the German SOvern-
ment has been notified by England
that the vessels are being sent to the
Suez to check Russian illegalities IN.
the Red Sea. There are many who;
believe that England intends to make
a most careful investigation of the
seizures by Russian vessels; and find.
ing the Russians guilty of a breach
OF international law, Will make de-.
mands which will amply indemnify
her for the damage done. 1t is also
believed that England is determined
to preclude the possibility of any fur
ther interference with her shipping
The Times insurance cores pom
dent. commenting on the seizure of
the P. & o. Steamer Malacca, by the
oafa hr,rD Iys the m r.
ant point is not the nature of the
Malacca's cargo. but the status of the
Petersburg and her right to interfere
with neutral shipping.
He adds: THE capture of the Ma
lacca and the search by the Russian
volunteer cruiser Srnolensk of a Ger.
man steamer happened at convent
ent time for ship owners. No govern
ment, however, wanting in backbone
could face the public opprobrium
which would now follow the action
both in Germany and England. Pub
lie opinion is aroused and the two gov
ernments will be compelled to act Wig
orously and alone.
More conservative circles do not
believe that action by England and
Germany will go beyond the protest
stage. although they admit that fur
ther interference with shipping
may force more stringent measures.
1t is believed by those conservative
people that Russia Will eyade, to
degree, the responsibilities for the
seizures and say that the Petersburg
and Smo1ensk exceeded their orders
in stopping the vessels This Will
remove the matter from the shoulders
Of the Russian government and make
scape-goats of the commanders OF the
two volunteer cruisers.
Then, if pushed in the matter.
Russia will pay the indemnity de-
manded and the incident Will close. It
is also pointed out that Turkey Will
probably be able to 5evade any res
sponsibility for these breaches Of neu-
trality in permitting the smo1ensks
and Petersburg to pass through he
Dardanellies The two cruisers pass
ed the Bosphorus not as war ships.
but as merchantI en-, and was not
until they were IN the pen sea, that
their guns were mounted AM hey
became fghting raac hines