The Oskaloosa herald., 1904-08-04
RUSSIA ENTERS
FORMAL PROTEST.
DEMANDS THAT SHIPMENTS or
coNTRABAND CEASE.
NOTICE TO GREAT BRITAIN.
United States Will Enter Vigorous
Protest IL More Neutral Ships
Are Sunk by the
Russians.


q formal protest at the foreign office
against British shipments of contra
band to Japan. The press learns that
the Russian government since the be-
ginning of the war has carefully
watched the manufacture of goods In
tended for the use of the Japanese
government, and as soon as 1t was
established that such goods were about
to be shipped to hostile destination
the facts were officially communicated
to the British government, with the
request that measures be taken to put
stop to it. It is further asserted
that in many cases the government
has not taken action, and 1t is under
stood that when the war ends Russia
proposes to present bill for damages
to the British government which will
offset the indemnities claimed for the
seizure of British steamers. 1t is also
learned that Russia does not intend 10
hasten the settlement of the question
of the right Of vessels of the volunteer
fleet to pass the Dardanelles since, If
negotiations on the subject were con-
| Quoted at this time, as desired by
Great Britain, Russia might be forced
by the existing situation to grant con-
| cessions she would afterwards regret.
Must Not Sink Neutral Ships.
Washington, July 30.-W. Mynderse,
| a New York attorney, representing
some of the cargo owners Of the
steamer Knight Commander, sunk by
| the Russian Vladivostok squadron,
called at the state department Friday
| and had a short informal conference
with Solicitor Penfierd respecting a
| formal presentation to the Russian
government of the claims Of these
owners for the destroyed cargo. 1t
was arranged that a written brief
should be submiaed later on, embody-
| ing the legal points sought to be made
| in this case. 1t Is clear to the officials
here that regardless of any rules
which Russia may have laid down for
her own government respecting the
| sinking Of neutral ships, the practice
| opposed as it ID to all modern prin'
ss.ssses;,.. L Y. Ions slawE mot b,
u 'ciplfss or ihe y w y e,r n
permitted by thisfigoyernment with
out strenuous protest.
| Will Pay Indemnity.
Berlin, July 30.-The foreign Office
Friday informed the press that Rus.
sia has agreed to fully indemnify Ger
man shippers and their consignees for
any losses sustained by the seizures
| hn ~
the Prinz Heinrichs mail. An inquiry
| is now in progress to determine what
| claims shall be presented. Russia also
| agrees to restore and forward the con-
| tents of the two seized MALL packages.
Arabia Arrives at Vladivostok.
Vladivostok, July 30.-The German
| steamer Arabia, under charter of an
American company, which was cap
tured by the Russian cruiser Gromoboi
July p, 100 miles north of Yokohama,
| has arrived here in charge of prize
| crew. That portion of the steamers
cargo which is alleged to be contra
band comes from Portland, Ore. The
Arabia, with two other ships of the
Hamburg-American company, is under
charter for three years to the Amer
lean Trading company, which, it is as
serted, is engaged in carrying contra
band. She is commanded by Capt.
Bahle and has crew of ten Germans
and 27 Chinese. According to state
ments by the Chinese on board many
American steamers are engaged in
carrying contraband, including fire.
arms.
The Arabia left Portland July 2 with
cargo Of -four and railroad material.
The greater portion of the -FOUR, FOG
tons-was addressed to Hongkong and
is not liable to seizure, but 466 tons OF
flor and 542 tons of railway material
are addressed to Yokohama, Kobe and
Nagasaki, and, consequently are con-
traband. The iron of the cargo con-
sists of platforms, wheels, axles, boil
ers and parts of bridges. AS the con-
traband of war aboard the Arabia
forms less than half her cargo, the
vessel herself is not liable to seizure.
After the contraband has been dis
charged, therefore, the ship will prob.
ably be released.