Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1904-07-23
GREAT BRITAIN STOPS THEM
RUSSIA IMPOSED ON BRITISH
COMMERCE ON RED SEA.
British Government Sends a Strong
SQUADRON TO Those Waters TO Force
Russia's Navy to Keep within the
Bounds of Their Treaty-Trouble Is
Not Expected In Future.


have been issued by the British admir-
atty, which are believed to 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 al
once from Gibraltar and proceed tc
Alexandria, Egypt, near the mouth OF
the Suez canal. The second order di-
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-
dron.
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 powerf III
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
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 if Rus
sia's action is without warrant, an inn
perative note demanding restitution
and recompense for injured owners will
be addressed to the czar s government
Naval officers who have carefully
studied the situation declare that Rus
STA knowingly violated her treaty obi
cations when she sent the st. Peters
burg and the Smolensk through the
Dardanelles.
1t is we'll nigh certain that England
intends to take such action as will pre-
vent Russia sending any more of her
war vessels through the Dsrdanelles
BY the disposition now being made of
the British naval equipment it is re-
garded that the government is placing
its force so that it can compel respect
to any line of action upon which it
may finally decide.
From secret, but 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 lnh ONE waters an enormous
fleet of vessels of war. The home and
channel fleets are being modified at
Portland and Torquay and are baing
brought 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 tiets ready for the practice
maneuvers and that it simply happens
that this mobilization comes at this
time.
While this is very plausible excuse.
1t Wall blind no one. While the action
is being taken the government is con-
slderating 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
tentlon had been called to the action of
the Russian government in,overhauling
and searching British vessels on the
high seas, and if SO whether the crui-
ser taking this action was not the same
one that recently passed through the
Dardenelles under the Russian COM
merclal and Red Cross flags, and if so
whether this action was conformable
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
ma1esty's government. AS, however
our information is incomplete on Ger.
tam points, would be obliged to him
II he would excuse an answer at thi,
time
The question was withdrawn. but
the incident created widespread inter.
est.
Later.
London, July 21.-It is believed by
Leading naval officers here, who are
cognizant of certain sweeping order,
issued by the admiralty, that the Brit
ish government intends to eomnel RpS
u 4 a