The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-07-28
TO
ACT PROMPTLY
England Considers Sinking Of
Vessel Breach of Inter-
national Law

Washington July 27.-The state depart
ment has finally received formal pro-
test against the acton of the Russian
navy in seizing American goods and as
result of its preliminary study of the law
and precedents governing the subject, it
| is prepared to act energetically and
promptly. This protest relates to the
seizure Of an American cargo on board
/ the Hamburg American steamer Arabia,
bound from Portland, Ore, for Hongkong.
/ China. j. III. Mitchell, an attorney cf
Portland, telegraphed the state depart
ment a statement of the conditions un-
der which the Arabia carried this cargo
He declared the -four aboard the vessel
! was in no sense contraband. Indemnity
and satisfacticn are demanded for the
owners for the flour.
j The department officials positively de-
cline to say what course they intend ru
pursue.
4 ENGLAND THEORETICALLY PRO
! TESTS.
London, July 27.-The British govern
ment is sending instructions to Sir
Charles Hardlnge, the British ambassa.
d to Russia today, to enersenticaly
protest against the sinking of the British
steamship knight Commander by the
Russian vladivostok squadron. Until the
presentation of the note to the Russ an
government the greatest secrecy will be
maintained regarding Its contents. but 1t
colleagues have decided to demand that
I the fullest reparation shall be made by
Russia or measures will be taken to fol
/ low up the diplomatic demands. The
British note to Sir Charles Hardinge, who
I win submit it, will not ment n the
amount of indemnity which Russia mSs
subjects having goods on board the ves-
/ sell but all that will be sought will be
/ the establishment of the principle of in
demnity and apol gy.
salute of the British flag mus, also
be conceded and the future pr lection
Of neutral shipping assured.
The attitude of the British government
is the result of the thorough considera-
ii n given to the representatives received
from Sir Claude Macdonald the British
! minister at Toxic, and the examination of
international law authorities by legal ex-
perts. The dispatch from Sir Claude Mac
Donald confirms the reports that the
Knight c. mmander had contraband
of war on board for Japan. The govern
ment and all the British authorities. i,
is asserted, unite on the point that there
was no justification for the sink ng of the
vessel.
1t is felt in vernment circles that the
Knight Commander incident overs,lad-
ows the Read sea seizures, which prac-
lioally have been adjusted, but which
have failed to settle the question of the
rights of neutral commerce.
l BREACH OF INTERNATIONAL LAW.
London. July 27.-That the British gov
ernment egaIds the sinking of the seam
er knight {, mmander as a breach of in
,elnational law was confirmed by Pre-
mier Balfour in the house of commons
,his afternoon. Answering questions re-
o. mmander and the SEIZURE of the Ma
lacca and other vessels the premier said
lie hoped to be in position TO make a
brief statement regarding the Malacca
tomorrow. AS TO the sinking of the
Knight Commander he regretted that in
f. rmation which reached me this morning
confined this regiettable occurrence"
MIR. Balfour added:
There is no question of loss of life,
! but am afraid there is question of
%. eacn of International law
III mas GIBSON bowles tConservaIte1
Will ask Pleln.er bailour in lne nouse OF
commons Tomorrow Ii the government is
aware that the Russian armoI ed cruiser
Dimitri Donshoi, alter having been al
lived 10 take 500 tons of coal at Port
Said, and after her captain had given his
word of honor that he would proceed at
once and by direct route 10 Cadiz, re-
maired OF Port Said and stopped and ex-
anined six vessels which were alb ut to
enter tie canal and few days later re-
peated the stoppage off Alexandria.
Mr. Bowles also wants to know what
Steps the government will take to pre-
vent belllgetent ships securing at British
ports Coal to be used in operati- ms OF
war"