Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-07-23
BRITISH PROTEST
EXCITES RUSSIA
Vigorous Objection Made to Seizure
of Steamer Malacca in Red Sea.
FIERCE FIGHT AT MO TEN PASS
Twenty-one Battalions of Russians De.
feated, With Over 1000 Killed and
Wounded-vIadivost Fleet Sinks
Jap Steamer and Is Pursued BY Tor
pedo Boats.

Jap Steamer and Is Pursued BY Tor
pedo Boats.
st. Petersburg. July 21.-The news
that Great Britain has delivered to
Russia a protest against the capture
Of the Peninsular and Oriental steamer
Malacca in terms which are believed
to be almost tantamOunt to q demand
for the immediate release of the yes
sci. as well as general protest
against the action of the Russian vol.
unteer feet steamers in stopping ships
In the Red Sea. was not generally
known last night. but the editorial
broadside from the London newspapers
reprinted here was a sufficient warn
ing OF the state of the British mind.
and the public became greatly eX-
rited.
In the hotels and restaurants the
war was temporarily forgotten. and
complications with Great Britain was
talked OF. The old resentment against
Great Britain. which had been much
ameliorated of late. became revived at
the mere suggestion that that country
was again seeking to bait Russia. but
the official world charged with the
responsibility is keeping cool and
calm.
Provided a blunder had not been
made by the captain of the st. Peters.
burg in mistaking the British govern
ment stores for contraband of war.
Russia will probably be prepared to
maintain the justice of the seizure. but
II mistake has been made the gov
ernment doubtless will order the Ma
lacca to be set at liberty and pay the
bill for her illegal detention.
Both powers. while standing on their
rights. will it Is believed. do every
thing possible to avoid a cause for a
rupture. Whether Great Britain has
followed up the step taken here by
making representations to the sultan
of Turkey regarding his responsibility
in allowing the volunteer steamers to
pass the Dardanelles is not known in
st. Petersburg. but there Is the best
reason for stating that such is not the
case. Great Britain has no intention of
reopening the Dardanelles question.
except possibly as last resort.
The unyielding attitude on the part
IF Great Britain at this time. in view
Of the deep seated and long standing
enmity existing in Russia against her.
which Is now likely to be revived with
all intensity. would be exceedingly un-
fortunate. 1t would greatly aggravate
The situation. and the diplomats with
one accord deprecate the talk of seri-
ous international complications.
All the embassies and legations tele-
graphed the news to their govern
ments and the wires between st. Pc
messages.
The report that the crew of the Ma
lacca left the ship at Port Said was
not received until midnight
The Associated Press has been in
formed that Emperor Nicholas in an
interview with Count LamsdOrff. the
foreign minister. expressed his dis
pleasure at the turn events had taken
and at the possibility of complications
with Great Britain arising out of the
detention of British ships by the Rus
sian volunteer fleet steamers in the
Red Sea.
This pacific attitude. If the report
be correct. will doubtless lead to an
immediate and amicable adjustment
of the difficulties.