The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-27
NEUTRAL VESSELS
 CANNOT BE SUNK Highest Authorities Seem to Uphold This Principle ATTITUDE OF UNCLE SAM Many Papers In London Publish Angry Editorials Protesting Over the
 Reported Seizure of Yes
 sells By Russians.
ATTITUDE OF UNCLE SAM

Washington, July 26.-In the absence of action by the department of state in the case of any of the recent seizures and sinking of neutral vessels by Russia, it appears that the latest official word on the subject indicating the position of the government is that contained in the proc lamation of President Roosevelt on Feb ruary Il, just after the outbreak of the war.
 This was a little different from the or- dinary neutrality proclamation, and in addition to enjoining citizens of the Uni ted States to refrain from organizing mill itary expeditions In aid of the belliger- ents. contained this clear statement for the benefit of many inquiring ship owners and exporting mercantile houses:
 And that while all persons may law fully and without restriction by reason of the aforesaid state of war, manufacture and sell within the United States arms and munitions of war and other articles ordinarily known as contraband of war. They cannot carry such articles on the high seas for the use or service of either belligerent, nor can they transport sol- diers and officers of either, or attempt lO DIEdk any DlOChduo WHICH may pc lawfully established and maintained dur ing the war, without mourning the risk of hostile capture, and the penalty pro- vided by the law of nations in that be- hat.
 Do So at Their Peril.
 "And I do herby give notice that all citizens of the United States and others who may claim the protection of this government who may misconduct them selves In the premises will do so at their peril, and that they can In no wise ob- tain any protection from the government of the United States, and must abide by their mistakes and misconduct"
 In mercantile and shipping interests, the Presidents view is that 1t Is not vio- lation of the United States law to ship contraband but it must be shipped at the owners risk and Is subject to seiz- ure.
 While there is no authority for declar- ing positively in advance of an actual test case, the policy of the state depart ment respecting the recent seizures and sinking of vessels with American cargoes attention may be drawn to the fact that in the latest edition of Halls internation- al law, British work held in the highest esteem here as an authority, the doctrine is laid down without qualification, that a neutral ship must not be sunk by a bellig- erent; that Is, if the detained vessel can not be sent to port, she must be released and not be sunk. This doctrine bears pre- cisely on the case of the Knight Com mander as far as the facts are known.
 Comments of London Press.
 Landon, July 27.-Thes Gazette on March 3 published a statement com municated to the British by the Russian government, setting forth regulations on the subject of captured vessels. and indi- eating various exceptional cases under which commander of a Russian cruiser would be entitled to sink or burn a cap tured vessel, after taking off the crew. passengers and papers. These regua- tions had been in existence since 1895, and state that Lord Lansdowne did not pro- test against them on this occasion The newspapers this morning, therefore, counsel patience especially as the Rus sian government, in view of the news from the seat of war, must have much to try it's temper at the present time.
 A majority of the morning papers, how ever printed editorials in an angry strain on the further reported seizures of yes sells by the Russian fleet, and the delay in the release of the Malacca.