The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1904-07-23
GREAT BRITAIN STOPS THEM
RUSSIA IMPOSED ON BRITISH
COMMERCE ON RED SEA.
British Government Sends a Strong
Squadron 20 Those Waters to Force
Russia's Navy to Keep Within the
Hounds of Their Treaty-TronbIe Is
Not Expected In Future.

atty, which are believed 10 indicate
determination ON the part of Great
Britain to protect British shipping
from acts of aggression at the hands of
the Russian navy. The first order di-
reefs the Mediterranean fleet to sail at
once from Gibraltar and proceed to
Alexandria, Egypt, near the mouth of
the Suez canal. The second order d.
rect two of the fastest British armored
cruisers to proceed through the canal
and take up stations in the Red sea at
points where several British have been
held up during the last few days by
vessels of the Russian volunteer squa-
drUn.
While the fact that these orders were
issued was carefully guarded and no
public statement of their scope is pro-
durable, there is no doubt that the
British foreign office has decided that
the time has come to act promptly in
protecting British shipping and to put
an end to unwarranted aggression on
the part Of the Russian cruisers.
Well informed naval officers believe
that the dispatch of this powert al
Mediterranean fleet to the vicinity of
the Red sea and the stationing Of the
two of the crack vessels of the squa
dron directly at the points where the
Russian was carrying things with a
high hand means that no further mo-
lestation Of vessels flying the British
flag will be permitted.
1t is also believed that the govern
ment means TO carefully investigate
the seizures already made and il Rus
STA 3 action is without warrant, an inn
perative note demanding restitution
and recompense for injured owners will
be addressed to the cars government.
Naval officers who have carefully
studied the situation declare that Rus
sia knowingly violated her treaty obh-
cations when she sent the st. Peters
burg and the Smolensk through the
Dardanslles.
1t is we'll nigh certain that England
intends 20 take such action as will pre-
vent Russia sending any more of her
war vessels through the Dardanelles.
BY the disposition now being made Of
the British naval equipment it is re-
garded that the government is placing
its force 50 that it can compel respect
to any line of action upon which it
NAV finally decide.
From secret, bat unimpeachable
source, it can be stated that not only
is Great Britain represented by strong
force in the Red sea, but plans are be-
lug carried out which will bring to-
gether inh ONE waters an enormous
fleet of vessels of war. The home and
channel fleets are being modified at
Portland and Torquay and are baing
bruOght up to battle strength by the
addiontion Of ships from the reserves.
While to all intents and purposes the
nation is preparing forwar. the admir-
atty has the excuse that they are get
ting the fiets ready for the practice
maueuyers and that it simply happens
that this mobilization comes at this
time.
While this Is very plausible excuse,
it will blind no one. While the action
is being taken the government is con-
siderating whether the British lion
should show his teeth TO the Russian
bear.
In the house of commons Monday
General Laurie asked the under secre-
tary for foreign affairs whether his at
tentIOn had been called 20 the action Of
the Russian government insoverhauling
and searching British vessels on the
high seas, and if 50 whether the cruz
ser taking this action was not the same
one that recently passed through the
Dardeuelles under the Russian COM
mercial and Red Cross flags, and if so
whether this action was eonforma bic
TO the principles Of international law.
To this Earl Percy replied:
The subject to which the honorable
member draws attention is one Of the
utmost Importance, and one Of which
Is engaging the earnest attention Of his
majesty's government. As, however,
our information is incomplete on GER
tain points, would be obliged 10 him
If he would excuse an answer at this
time.
The question was withdrawn, but
hAD AAh4ASAb GLEdbcl Wlilt5i Ebhu lutST-
est
Later.
London, July 2i.-It is believed by
leading naval officers here, who are
cognizant Of certain sweeping orders
issued by the admiralty, that the Brit
ish government intends 70 compel Rus
STA TO surrender the Peninsula IL Orien-
tai liner Malcaca, seized as prize Of
war BY the Russian cruiser st. Peters
burg and now en- route TO Libau under
a prize crew. 1t Is also generally IN
d6rstOod in naval circles that no other
British ships will be stopped by the
Russians after the British cruisers
reach the scene.
The orders 10 commanders Of the lat
ter vessels are decl lred TO be short but
explicit, and provide that the British
vessels shall be free to navigate eastern
waters without recognizing the war
ships Of any other power or their right