The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-07-22
BRITISH LION
BEGINNING TO GROWl A
LITTLE
AT RUSSIAN MEDDLING
With English Ships on
the High Seas.

London, July 19.-Uondon Times.)-
Two naval orders were issued yester-
day by the British admiralty which are
believed to indicate determination on
the part of Great Britain to protect
British shipping from acts of aggres-
sion at the hands OF the Russian navy.
The first order directs the Mediter-
raneap fleet to sail at once from Glib
ralter and proceed to Alexandria,
Egypt, near the mouth of the Suez
Canal. The second order directs two of
the fastest of the British armored
cruisers to proceed through the canal
and take up station in the Red Sea at
the points where several British ships
have been held up during the last few
days by the vessels of the Russian vol
unteer squadron.
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 acts of unwarranted aggres-
sion on the part OF the Russian cruis-
ers. Well informed naval officers
believe that the dispatch of this pow
erful Mediterranean fleet to the activity
of the Red Sea and the stationing of
two of the crack vessels of the
squadron directly at the points where
the Russians were carrying things with
a high hand means than no further
molestation of vessels flying the Brit
ish flag will be permitted.
1t Is also believed that the govern
ment means carefui.y to Investigate
the seizures already made and IL 1t is
found that Russias action is withou
warrant an imperative note demanding
restitution and recompense for injured
owners will be added to the charges
made.
Naval officers who have carefully
studied the situation declare Russia
knowingly violated her treaty obliga-
tions when she sent the st. Petersburg
and the Smolensk through the Dar-
danelles. 1t Is WEI. nigh certain that
Englanl now intends to take such ac-
tion as 1t will prevent Russia sending
any more war vessels through the Dar-
danelles.
BY the disposition now being made
of the British naval equipments 1t is
al gued that, the government Is placing
its forces 80 that IL can compel respect
from any limo of actinr. ,,nnp uyhioh a.
may finally decide. IRON secret, but
unimpeachable source 1t can be stated
that not only is treat Britain to be
represented by a strong force at the
Red Sea but plans are now being car
ried out which WAL bring together In
home waters an enormous feet of ves-
sells Of war. =.
The home and channel fleets are be-
ing mobilized at Portland and Torquay
and are being brought up to battle
strength by the addition of ships from
the reserves. While to all intents and
purposes the nation is preparing for
war, the admiralty has the excuse that
they are getting fleets ready for the
practice manoeuvres aud that 'it sim,
ply happens that this mobilization
comes at this time" While this Is a
very PLAUSIBLE excuse. 1t will blind NO
one.
While this action is being taken and
the government is considering whether
the British non snould show his teeth
to the. Russian bear, I'M the house OF
commons today General Laurie asked
the under secretary of state for for
eign affairs whether his intention had
been called to the action of the Rus
sian government In overhauling and
searching British vessels ON the high
seaa and If 80 whether the cruiser TAX
ing this action was not the same one
that recently passed through the Dar-
anelles under the Russian commercial
and Red Cross flags and If so whether
this action was conformable to tht
principles of international law?
To this Earl Percy replied; "Ths