New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-23
PTSSIA'.S RECESSION.

Our hone Of Yesterday. that Great Britain and
Russia would act with reason in the case Of the
Malacca. seems TO be realized to-day. The Rus
sian government has, according to dispatches,
receded from the extreme attitude which It ut
first assumed. or which some of its naval off
GERS assumed Instead of incontinently and au-
tocraticay rushing the British steamer off to a
Russian port. 10 he passed upon by a Russian
court it has agreed 10 take her 10 the nearest
neutral port. there to put her through formal
investigation in the presence of British officers,
and then to restore her 10 her owners. 1t is
added that Russia promises there shall be no
more such seizures, and Il is assumed that
proper pecuniary reparation will he made for
the detention Of the vesse,. This, we need
scarcely add, is II should be-always assum
ing that the MIiacca was innocent of carrying
contra apd Of war. We can readily understand
how some bumptious ambitious and ignorant
Russian officer could put the Russian govern
ment into q false position. Che Ignorance Of
the officer in question is indicated by the re-
ported fact thai he did not know the meaning
of the broad arrow mark on the Malacca 5
cargo) But the Russian government can well
afford 10 disavow such acts. Indeed ii could
scarcely afford not TO dsavow them.
Ii is agreeable 10 see a disposition upon the
part Of the British government 10 accept such
recession on the part of Russia and 10 make
such settlement as easy rather than as diff
cult. as possible. Nothing could be much more
offensive or intolerable to Great Britain than
the unjust seizure Of her commerce and the VIC
lation of her flag. Yet nothing could he more
becoming in her than a gracious acceptance of
the apologies and amends of unintentional
offender. The might of Britain at sea is 50
overwhelming that she can afford TO be gener-
ous, especially if she is also strong IN the con-
seriousness of the entire blamelessness OF her
commerce. The impassloned impulses or some
10 regard the Russian volunteer ships as pirates
and 10 take the Malacca from them by force
might easily however. have been obeyed. Great
Britain was strong enough 10 do il; but Il was
better 10 do as Mr.. Balfour and Lord Lansdowne
and their colleagues and lieutenants have done.
in waiting patiently few hours ard giving Rus
STA chance 10 recede into reasonableness.
The question OF the status OF the Russian
ships. which was temporarily waived may now
come up. 1t is 10 be assumed that it will for
il is an important and needs 10 be settled
authortatively. So far have perceived,
opinion is against Russia in the matter. Her
chief justification seems to be that hitherto in
time Of peace. she has often sent those ships
through the Straits. Undoubtedly and perhaps
with entire propriety; for they came through as
merchant ships, and remained merchant ships
after they had got out. 1t is very different
thing, however for them to come through as
merchant ships, in time of war and then the
moment they get out TO transform themselves
into warships Suppose Great Britain should
SEM in lot of vessels under merchantmen
flags. and the moment they got into the Euxine
run up the hattlefag and reveal them TO be
fully equipped warships 1t seems probable
that Russia would regard such an act as n vio-
lation Of the treaty. There is IA runor that
Russia has decided to recall the volunteer steam
ers and 10 send no more out Such n policy
might be the most profitable she could pursue