The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-07-28
A Check on Russia.

T (,
A Check on Russia.
Many startling rumors were started
yesterday, based on the meeting Of the
national defense committe presided
over by Premier Balfour, the attorney
general, Sir Robert Finlay, being pres
,ent.
This committee was established last
year In order to have a body Of ex-
perts to keep informed of the STRAIT
egic needs of the empire and to solve
complicated questions and be always
ready to give trustworthy information
for the use Of the government. At
this meeting were discussed the ques-
tons relating to the Russian seizures
Of British merchant ships, and the
passage Of the Dardanelles by the So
called Russian volunteer warships. I,
Out Of this meeting came rumors
that orders had been given for the
mobilization of the British fleet and
other sensational reports. It is fact,
however, that the British govern
ment has sent to st. Petersburg an
energetic protest against the con-
structively piratical act Of the Vladi-
vostok squadron in hating and sink
ing the British merchant vessel
Knight Commander, which the gov
eminent has reason to9 believe car
ried no contraband Of war for Japan.
The sinking Of the vessel under such
conditions was a bold defiance of inter-
nation o1f ho
last winter that she would not tolerate
any interference with her war pro
gram in the orient, there Is no doubt
that her reckless search for contra
band of war has already brought her
into serious trouble with the greatest
naval power in the world. Russia
will have to apologize and pay 1ndem-
nifty, if inquiry sustains the charges
against the admiral of the Vladivo.
stok squadron.
Protests have been sent to our gov.
eminent by a Portland firm which
shipped a lot Of foodstuffs consigned
to private parties in Hongkong or
the. Arabia, which was captured by
| the Vladivostok squadron on the high
seas. There was nothing contraband
about this freight and Russia VIII
| have to explain. ~. ---
The war party in Russia, which
| forced the car into the war with
Japan, may, in their great ZEAL, insis
upon bullyragging England and bring:
Ing about a war with that power
which, under present European con.
d1t1ons, may array the individual
members of the concert Of Europe
against each other; but the immense
disparity Of naval strength between
Russia and England is more than like
ly to have a conservative tendenc.
upon the boastful Russian war party
Republicans will find comfort II. the re
cent announcement that Oscar s. Stratus
Of New York, one Of the most prominen
gold democrats of the country, will sup
port President Roosevelt. This announce
Inent Inspires the hope that there ma
be others of his type in that state VIII
will take similar stand. The politica
clements are strangely mixed in Ney
York this year, and while the nomination
| Of Judge Parker was made for the par
ttcular purpose of carrying that state
begins to be apparent that the republica
campaign there will be of such a characte
as to put the newly cemented democrac
to a severe strain. There is no natura
cohesion between the democratic sele
nents. The tendency is rather toward re
pulsion. Much of Judge Parker's time
and that of his managers, will be devote
to repairing new breaks and watching tn
old ones. ,s. ,:e@.