The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-07-28
NlIIAN['S
TEMP
RISING
RussiA,s ACTION IN SINKING THE
KNIGHT COMMANDER is
TAKEN QUITE Sc
RiOUSLY.

RIouSLY.
LONDON. July 27.-The British
q government is taking energetic actor
+ in the case of the sinking of the Brit
!, ish steamer Knight Commander by
the N1adirostock squadron. All infor-
nation received by the government
tends to establish in the official mind
belief THAI an outrage has been com
& mitted for which no excuse exists in
international law. Those aware of
the feelings of the ministry said last
4 night that all the members OF the Cab
met are in accord regarding the prin-
i ciple OF the inviolability OF innocent
neutral shipping, rs we'll as upon the
! principle that neutral ship cannot
be destroyed even il carrying contra
band oil war.
The demand which will be made
upon the Russian government viii In.
clude compensation to the owners of
the ship and TO the owners of the
goods on board the Knight Command
er. an apology. for the action Of the
Russian cruisers and an agreement
that instructions be given which will
prevent a repetition OF such action.
British shipowners are in arms over
the dangers which shipping is now
running and are bombardfng the gov
ernment with representations look
ing to the thorough protection of their
interests.
Calls It illegal.
Mr.. Arthur Cohen, one of the coun-
sci for the British government in the |
Alabama claims arbitration case. now
judge of the Cirque Ports and stand
ing counsel for the University of Cam
bridge. said last night:
f'It is scandalous. this reckless seiz-
ure and destruction of neutral ship
ping by Russian vessels. The sinking
of the Knight Commander was totally /
Illegal. Wheaton, in his work on in
law, states explicitly that
If the prize is a neutral ship no cir
will justify her destruc-
ton before condemnation; that If the
vessel is destroyed. full compensation
will be given to her-owners; but that
owners of contraband Of war on board
the ship, if any, have no substantial
ground for complaint, because the de-
struction of the vessel does not injure
them. {,
Had the Knight Commander been /
as a good prize the own {
ers of the contraband cargo would
suffer no loss by the
sinking of the ship Owners of neu- ,
raj goods on ships are entitled to i
as are the owners of {
he vessel. +
Russia may advance the contention :
hat the Knight Commander was car +
wing contraband of the character OIL r
which her owner was aware, and that :
.e, therefore, was guilty of an offence
.gafnst international law. This would
lot Justify the sinking of the Knight
nor would the unwilling
ess of the Russian commander to re-
uce the complement of his squadron !.
4 order to furnish prize crew be :
n excuse for such action. That was
he misfortune of the Russians.
Time For Declaration.
at seems to me to be time for the
United States and Great Britain to
ay that they will not allow this ex- a
ansion of the rules relating to con- II
.aband of war or this extraordinary II
reference with neutral commerce. W
Il continue to feel convinced that w
ussa does not want trouble with ia
her nations and will order a more is
riot observance of international law
energetic remonstrances be address
, to her. re
Mr.. Balfour, replying to question pc
the House of Commons yesterday us
regard to the sinking of the Knight al
said Inquiries were being tn
ade on the subject, but he was not pc
It in position to make a statement w;
Replying to another question the
line Minister said the government la
IS not aware of any convention con nj
Ided in 1901 between Turkey and
Issia providing special conditions
r the passage of the Dardenelles ~,
special Russian ships. rI,
Mr.. Ba1four. while disclaiming that -
was giving an authoritative decis- ,a ,1
/, said that he believed the declara- NJ,
N of Paris in 1856 contemplated the ri,
clifton of privateering and the dec -
alton that a neutral flag covers an, - -,
emy's merchandise except when
ntraband OF war.
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