The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-07-22

London, July 20.-The Associated
Press tonight interviewed many promi-
nent persons connected and in close
touch with the government relative to
the seizure of British vessels by steam
eTs of the Russian volunteer fleet in
the Red Sea.
AS a result of these inquiries. there
is shown 10 be a remarkably hostile
feeling against Russia of a strength
and a bitterness almost without pre-
cedent since the Crimean war. Even
the most conservative, who have been
in the service of the government for
many years, and who openly deplored
the haste with which they thought
Great Britain had plunged into the
Transyaal war. tonight frankly declared
for a policy OF Teprisal against what is
regarded here as Russia's violation OF
treaties and her piratical attack on
British commerce.
The warlike tone of such papers as
The Times, The Standard, The Morning
Post and The Daily Telegraph, which
III ma tiOnal crisis hitherto almost invari
ably advised caution, has had its ineVi-
table effect. There has been stirred up
a storm OF indignation among all class
es in the United Kingdom, and the
strength with which the government
itself can scarcely gauge.
Those who deplored the outbreak of
the war between Japan and Russia,
insisted publicly and privately that
Great Britain. crippled financially after
her South African experiences, must
not at all costs be drawn into the Far
Eastern struggle, are now amongst the
most outspoken champions of a physi-
cal force that will prevent the repeti-
ton of the Malacca incident in the Red
sea.
Lord Lansdowne," says The Daily
Telegraph voicing the views of the gov
ernment. has faced the situation Great
ed by the abuse of the right of search
in the only manner worthy of a British
minister compelled to defend the inter-
eSts OF British commerce and the honor
of the flag and, acting with unhesitat-
ing firmness and promptitude, which
recall the strongest days of the nation
al policy. he has justified the trust OF
the country.
while not one rash word should
be said which could have the effect OF
increasing the tension of the anxious
and dangerous interval. it would be
futile to disguise the character or to
minimize the risks of the situation
which has arisen We hope and believe
that a solution of the difficulty may
still be found in the withdrawal of the
Russian government from it's false po-
SitiOn."
The Telegraph goes on to say that
the stores of the Malacca were plainly
marked with the broad arrow, showing
that they belonged to the British gov
ernment and were destined only for a
British depot. 1T would be impossible
TO conceive a more remarkable accum-
mutation of illegality and error than
has attended the present case" the
able under any Circumstances of tame
Iy enduring so grave an insult TO its
honor. Tes should have forfeited ouI
cIaim to he a great nation. In any cir
sumstances, We think it may be assum-
ed that the Malacca will never be navi-
gated by a prize crew to any Russian
port. She is watched, if not actually
stopped, by British warships and she
will, in any case, be restored to hel
owners long before she can be taker
through the Dardanelles or navigateG
TO Libu.
This emergency IN some respects. /:
the most critical that has marked oul
relations with Russia in the last TWEEN
ty years ard in face of the inflame6
state Of public opinion in st. Peters
burg it would be unwise 20 blindrour.
selves 10 the existence OF possibilitie!
that would otherwise be unthinkable