The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1904-07-21
THE PRESS FANS THE
FLAMES OF,RESENT MENT
Government Called on to
Forcibly Prevent Inter.
ceptiOn of Steamers.
Intimated that the Malacca VIII Never
he Allowed to Reach a Russian
Port In Charge Of Prize
Crew-TearinE Down of Union
jack a Bitter Pill.

London, July 20.-The Associated
Press tonight interviewed many prom
inent persons connected and in close
touch with the government relative to
the seizure of British vessels by the
steamers of the Russian volunteer
feet in the Red Sea.
As a result of these inquiries. there
is shown to be a remarkable hostile
feeling against Russia of strength
and bitterness almost without prece-
dent 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 whicn they thought
Great Britain had plunged in the
Transvaal war tonight frankly declar-
ed for a policy of reprisal against
what is regarded here as Russia's vio-
lation treaties and her piratical at
tack on British commerce.
Public's Mind Infamed.
The warlike tone OF such papers as
the Times, the Standard the Morning
Post. the Daily Teleai aph, which in
national crises hitherto almost inva-
riably advise caution. has had Its In
evitable effect. There has been stirred
up a storm of Indignation among all
classes in the United Kingdom and
itself can scarcel yguage.
Thos, who dep.,red the outbreak of
the war between Japan and Russia
and 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 among
tho most outspoken champions of
physical force that Will prevent the
rspefttion OF the Maiaeca incide1t in
tho Red Sea.
Those few officials at the foreign Of
Ace who are in full possession OF all
the details of Great Britain's desire
10 arrive at an entente with Russia
are in despair.
Policy Torn Down.
They realize that the policy so care
fully fostered by King Edward and
Foreign Minister Lansdowne would
now be Indignantly repudiatcd by all
parties in the House of Commons and
involve with the public the downfall
of any ministry advocating 1t. Every
nerve will be strained. however, by the
foreign Office to secure from Russia an
explanation that will pacify the ag-
Erieved feelings of the British public,
and no step will be taken officially that
will tend to prejudice subsequent dip
iomatic negotiations looking to the set
Element of all important questions now
outstanding between Russia and Great
Britain.
However, there is expressed at the
foreign Office and elsewhere the great
est regret that Russia rightfully or
wrongfully should have taken up the
position evinced by the action of her
volunteer cruisers in the Red Sea.
Lord Lansdowne's policy since the
first whisper of war between Japan
and Russia reached Downing street,
has been one of consistent neutrality.
England's Position Changed.
When the outbreak came 1t was a
matter for no little congratulations,
as frequently pointed out in these des-
patches, that Great Britain had kept
herself free from all entanglements.
thanks chiefly to the hurrying on of
the Anglo-French entente, on the
strength of which the diplomats of both
nations concerned believed they would
be able to be detached spectators of
the struggle in the Far East
The unlocked for Developments IN
the Dardanelles and the Red Sea eni-
barrass Lord Lansdowne more than the
circumstances themselves would indi-
cate. The Government, weakened by
internal discussions, could scarcely
stand for a day against a popular de-
mand for reprisals against Russia and
fostered by leading Government news
papers.
Cars Attitude Not Known
The news that there may be an
amicable adjustment of the difficulties
as the result of an interview between
Emperor Nicholas and Count Lams-
dorn given in the Associated Press dis
patch from st. Petersburg, is not yet
known to the British public and press.
Cd; >
will let Premier Balfour's Government
out of one of the most awkward and
most serious crises it has had to face
in its checkered career, but II will I'M
doubtedly be several months before the
British public can forget what has
been described as the most humiliating
incident In British history since the
Dutch VIGOROUSLY entered the Thames.
According to a Daily Mail despatch
from Port Said. the Malacca is in charge
of a Russian midshipman, an announce
ment which gives rise to much Brit
ish naval reminiscence, many present
British admirals having helped to pre-
cipitate serious conflicts before they
were admitted to the ward room. The
same despatch declares that the union
Jack was torn down by the Russian
prize crew, although the Russians
treated the passengers and crew of the
Malacca with every courtesy
The captain of the Malacca asserts
that the capture was made within the
three mile limit.
German Flag Respected.
The Daily Mail says it understands
that London officials of the Peninsuiar
and Oriental Steamship Company re-
fused 20 take n cargo Of horseshoe
nails and aluminium cooking utensils
for the Japanses airy by the Malacca
and that these were subsequently, sent
by a German steamer which had al
ready safely passed through the Red
Sea flying the German flag, as this
was found to give better protection.
Lord Lansdowne." says the Daily
Telegraph voicing the views ~ the
government, has faced the situation
created by the abuse of the right of
search in the only manner worthy of