The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1904-06-16
MAY SEIZE FOODS
A New Phase of the War Situation
Develops
RUSSIA MAINTAINS HER VIEW
No Intention to Modify the Regula-
tons Defining Contraband of War
Rice an important Article of Food
in the Japanese Army.

St Petersburg, By Cable-The Rus
ian government has not yet returned
III answer to British Ambassador
Harding, relative to his government
protest at Russia's declaration that
rice and other foodstuffs are contra
band of war, but the Associated Press
learns that there is no intention on
Inc part Of the government to make
notifications TO meet the British view
The protest is based on the rule
observed by Great Britain during the
Bocr war, that even foodstuffs des-
tined for a hostile country could be
considered contraband of war only il
intended for an enemy's forces. A
high Russian official called attention
80 the fact that at the breaking out of
the war Russia was compelled to stop
at San Francisco a cargo of meat des-
tined for Vladisvostock, in order to
avoid its possible capture in conse-
qucnce Of the Japanese declaration
that it would be regarded as contra
band.
Rice is an important article Of
food in the Japanese army, and the
question whether it should be de-
rlared cOntraband was carefully con-
sidered when the regulations were
being framed" said this official, land
She declaration reported by Russia
entirely justified such an action. The
~. Il
gard the question as an academic one,
but should steamers which are being
equipped as auxiliary. cruisers pro
ceed to the Pacific and make captures
of ships loaded with provisions, com
plications could easily arise"
Diplomatic circles are interested in
the attitude the United States will
adopt in the matter.
g,Iadivostock Fleet Bold.
London, By Cable.-The Standards
correspondent at st. Petersburg hear:
that a telegram from Vice-Admira
SkreydIoff states that on June 7th he
went within thirty miles of Port Ar
thur with the Vladisvostock fleet, ant
there ran into fog. He found sever
al Japanese torpedo boats and battle
ships, which attacked him fiercely art
inflicted some damage. The Russian
Port Arthur ships appeared, Vice-Ad
miral Skreydloff returned to Vladi
yOstock, where he arrived Frida.
morning. The Daily Nails correspon
dent at Japanese headquarters, tele
graphing under date of June II, say
four strong Japanese columns hav
occupied Suen Chow, SaimatsZa, Lie.
Waling and Stu Yen. Suen Chow i
So miles east of Mukden and Liza
Waling five miles northwest Of Si
Yen.
Submarine Boat is Merchandise.
Washington, Special.-The Unite
States government has received n
information regarding the reporte
sale to the government of Japan Q
the lake submarine boat Protector
and the Navy Department does nc
know where the boat is. But
makes little difference from an inte1
national point of view what has bt
come of this boat, in the opinion {
the State Department, since Hami
ton Fish, when Secretary of Stat
laid down an opinion, to the effe(
that torpedo boat, capable of beln
carried on the deck Of a ship, m1gt
properly be regarded as an article {
merchandise and so might be sold
belligerents, without violation of ne
trality, but subject to the risk
seizure on the high seas.