The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-21
Consider if an outra,e

London, July 21-The Associated Press tonight interviewed many prominent per sons connected and in close touch with the government, relative to the seizure of British vessels by the steamers or the Russian volunteer fleet in the Red sea- As a result of these inquiries there is shown to be remarkably hostile feeling against Russia of strength and bitter ness almost without precedent since the Crimean war. Even the most conservative who have been in the service of the gov ernment for many years and who openly deplored the haste with which they thought Great Britain had plunged into the. Transvaal war, tonight frankly de- clared for policy of reprisa against what is regarded. here as Russias viola tion of treaties, and her piratical attack on British commerce.
 The war-like tone of such papers as the Times. the Standard the Morning Post, the Daily Telegraph, which in na- tional crises hitherto almost invariably advise caution. has had its inevitable ef- feet. There has been stirred up storm of indignation among all classes in the United Kingdom. and the strength of which the government itself can scarcely guage.
 Champions of Physical Force.
 Those who deplored the outbreak of the war between Japan and Russia and in- sisted publicly and privately that Great Britain crippled financially after her South African experiences, must not at all costs be drawn into the far eastern struggle, are now among the most out spoken champions of physical force that will prevent the repetition of the Malacca incident in the Red sea.
 Those of the officials of the foreign office who are in full possession of all the details of Great Britains desire to arrive at an entente with Russia are in despair. They realize that the policy so carefully fostered by King Edward and Foreign Minister Lansdowne would now be indignantly repudiated by all parties in the house of commons, and involve with the public the downfall of any min istry advocating it. Every nerve will be strained. however, by the foreign office to secure from Russia an explanation that
 will pacify the aggrieved feelings of the
 British public, and no step will be taken officially that will tend to prejudice ne- l gotiations to the settlement of all impor- | tant questions now outstanding between Russia and Great Britain.
 ! However there is expressed at the for | eign office and elsewhere the greatest re- grt that Russia -rightfully or wrongly should have taken up the position evinced
 by the action of her volunteer cruisers In | the Red sea.
 Maintained Neutral Attitude. ! Lord Lansdowne's policy since the first whisper of war between Japan and Rus sa reached Downing street has been one | of consistent neutrality. When the out break came 1t was matter for no little
 congratuation, as frequently pointed out
 in these despatches, that Great Britain had kept herself free from all entangle- , ments. thanks chiefly to the hurrying on ! of the Anglo-French entente, on the | strength of which the diplomats of both nations concerned believed they would be able to be detached spectators of the | struggle in the far east
 | The unlooked-for developments in the
 Dardaneiles. and the Red sea. embarrass 1 Lord Lansdowne more than the circum- stances themselves would indicate The government, weakened by internal dis sension, could scarcely stand for day | against popular demand for reprisals | against Russia, and this very danger is being assiduously fostered by leading gov | ernment newspapers.
 The news that there may be an amica-