The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-09-20
Contraband Dispute Adjusted to the Salts
faction of America.

ST. PETERSBURG, Sept. 19.-The
Russian answer TO the American notes
in regard to contraband of war. as
specifically raised in the cases OF the
British steamship Calchas and the
Portland and Asiatic line steamship
Arabia (both captured by the Vladl-
vostok squadron, the former while
bound from Puget Sound ports to Jap
am has been delivered. 1t follows gen
orally the lines of the reply to Great
Britain. On the broad question in
volved Russia recognizes the principle
of the immunity of innocerr trade
with japanese ports, but she holds to
her right TO stop contraband destined
for the use of the Japanese military
or naval forces The circumstances of
each case will to a certain extent gov
ern it.
Russia will not undertake at this
stage TO interfere with the cases of
the steamships Arabia and Calchas. of
which the courts have already taken
Jurisdiction and in which the Vladi-
vostok court found the facts, but upon
appeal the admiralty court will apply
it's Interpretation of section 10, which
practically amounts TO an assurance
that the flour, etc, seized viii then be
released.
It is understood that private assur-
ances have been given the United
States that the American Government
will be satisfied with the manner in
which the contraband rules will be
interpreted hereafter.
WASHINGTON. Sept. 19.-The
Russian construction placed upon the
contraband regulations is eminently
gratifying 10 the State Department Of
~ in n
their contention. The result will be
to firmly establish as principle of
international law the exemption of
foodstuffs conveyed under the condi-
lions described from seizure, matter
which heretofore has not been one of
universal practice. The burden of
proof as to the contraband character
of the goods is. for the first time.
placed squarely upon the naval COM
manders attempting to make the seiz-
rres and. if the ships papers are reg
ular. the shipper would be regarded
as having established prlma facie the
non-contraband of his shipment. This
is regarded as of great Importance to
commercial interests.
LONDON. Sept. 19.-Russia's reply
to the British protest on the subject
of Russia's Interpretation of contra
hand of war includes a decision to re-
spect the British demand in the case
of the British steamship Knight Com
mander (sunk by the Vladivostok
squadron off Isu and afterward adj
Judged a lawful price. 1t is under
stood that Russia uDholds the prin-
siple that Admiral Jensen was justified
i'm sinking the steamship. The British
Government is still hopeful of a set
Element by means of an indemnity.
hut in view of the decision of the prize
court at Vladivostok it is said that
Russia does not see how she can COM
ply with the British demand. as she
thereby would recognize her officers
to be at fault. This question will be
the subject of further negotiations be-
tween the two Governments, the Brit
jsh authorities appreciating the fact
that Russia has made a substantial
concession in differentiating between
conditional and absolute contraband.
PORTLAND, Or, Sept. 19.-The
Telegram says advices have been re-
ceiyed from a San Francisco firm of
underwriters that the Russian Gov
eminent will pay all claims of Port
land shippers arising from the seizure
of flour on the German steamship
Arabia by the Vladivostok squadron.
Local shippers are preparing state
ments Of their losses. together with