The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-22

4 Japanese war three weeks prior to ' ' the outbreak of hostilities.
 London, July 22.-The authoritative assurances that the Malaeca will be released cabled by the Associated Press from St. Petersburg to the United States do not appear in the British morning pa pers Special dispatches to somewhat similar effect from St. Petersburg do not alay the alarmist views of the leading organs which construe Premiei Balfour 8 post midnight announcement th-e the gov ernment had received no confirm alton that the reported release of the Aalacca to mean that the incident rema ns unset tied.
 Another cause for great apprehension is the broader question of Russias right to send vessels of her volunteer fleet through the Dardanelles. A striking evidence that the danger of the situation has not been mitigated in tn least so far as British official and public opinion is concerned is afforded by the Daily Telegraph, which under large type caption, An Acute Crisis" declares that the relations be- tween Great Britain and Russia have reached the stage of an acute crisis. but behind the incident of the Malacca is the far larger question of the status of the so-called volunteer fleet.
 Does Not Justfy interference.
 Tt has, we believe, been made clear to the czar's government that the transfor- nation of merchant vessels. passing the Dardanelles, as suck, snto< lenibssa cFuis- CTS, cannot be recognized under any pre- text whatever as justlfysng Russia's inter ference with British shipping. It is not impossible that as a concession to Rus sian dignity the goverrshent may offer to permit the Malacca to put into some neu- tral port where her cargo may be exam ined and the statement verified that what ever munitions she carried were intended for the use of the British China squad rom
 In its editorial article this morning the Daily Telegraph becomes even more alarming, declaring that upon Russian re- sponse to Lord Lansdownes demands the tissues of peace or war are staked.''
 Continuing the Daily Telegraph says that only in the event that Russia Is pre- pared to accept the British conditions on the larger issue, would the government as sop to the Russian dignity" permit the Malacca to be taken to a neutral port.
 Will Not Permt Lightning Change.
 "The main question to be settled be- tween the British and Russian govern ments if we are to maintain even techni- cal relations of friendship" said the Daily Teegraph's editorial, lis the status of the Russian so-calied volunteer fleet. The point which has been made clear to the czdrs government by Lord Lansdowne, is that Great Britain will not permit lightning change from a merchant vessel to armed cruiser. In other words. if these unchartered 1ibertines of the Rus sian navy attempt to stop, or to search British vessel, they will be called upon to desist and they refuse to obey the demand, they will be fired upon and sunk. We further understand that the Ottoman government will take steps to prevent the passage of the Janus-faced vessels through the Dardanelles. and in the event of their evasion, will notify our govern ment of their departure. These problems are altogether independent of the war in, the far east. We are acting, and shall continue to act, not as the allies of Japan, but as the greatest naval power protect ing the high sea against the Illicit inroads of pirates"
 The significance of such language by a. l paper so much in the confidence of the government, and which has been strong | ly in favor of an Anglo Russian entente, can scarcely be over estimated. The Standard also sees little abatement in the gravity of the crisis as a result of the statements from St. Petersburg that the Malacca win be released.
 Dignity Demands Release. Our dignity and self-respect," said the paper editorially, demand that she be re- leased before she reaches the Baltic. The admiral in command of the Mediterranean squadron has received his instructions. His cruisers are being rapidly directed 10 the proper points, and we presume that If the Malacca is not voluntarily surren- dered she will be intercepted before she can pass through the straits of Gibral- tar"
 The BaIy Mail says there Is reason to believe that the British garrisons In the Mediterranean will be strengthened by drafts from the United Kingdom while several vessels will be sent to the vicin- ity of the Dardanelles. and others to Port Said
 Admiral Edward Field retired. speak ing at public banquet last evening. said that he believed the Russian government was trying to drag in both France and Great Britain.
 Do not let Russia play her game" the admiral said. but leave the matter to the diplomatists. The Malacca incident IS safer in the hands of MT Balfour and Lord L,ansdown. than in those of the na- val men"
 Would Be HaiIel With Satisfaction.
 The Times says that if the report that Russia has ordered the release of the Malacca should prove to / be true it would be hailed with profound satsfac- ton by British public opinion. but 1t s clear from Premier Balfours statement in the house of commons that no infor- mation to this effect has yet been received at the foreign office"
 Dealing with the idea of submitting tho rroad question of the passage of the Jardane'ies by volunteer fleet vessels to The Hague tribunal the Times says: 1nas cage is one which we might, pAr-