The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-07-22
HER PEOPLE AROUSED
The Insult to AIbion's Flag by Russian
Cruisers in the Red Sea Has Flung
Among the British a Firebrand
That Threatens a Terrific ExpIos-
ion Of Patriotic Rage III the Is
land.
lRv the Associated Press.l

London, July 20.-The Associated
Press tonight interviewed many promi-
nent persons connected and in close
touch with the government on seizure
of British vessels by steamers of the
Russian volunteer fleet in the Red
Sea.
AS a result of these inquiries there
is shown to be a remarkably hostile
feeling against Russia of a strength
and a bitterness almost without pre-
cedent, save in 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 which they thought
Great Britain had plunged into the
Transvaal war, tonight frankly de-
clared for a policy of reprisal against
what is regarded here as Russia's vio-
lation of treaties and her piratical at
tack on British commerce.
The warlike tone of such papers as
the Times the Standard, the Morning
Post and the Daily Telegraph, which
in national crises hitherto almost in
variably advised caution has had it's
inevitable effect. There has been SUR
red up a storm of indignation among
all classes In the United Kingdom,
and the strength of which the gov
ernment itself can scarcely gauge.
The lime Tor DccuS.
Those who deplored the outbreak
of the war between Japan and Russia
and insisted publicly and privately
that Great Britain, crippled finan-
cially after her South African expert
ences, must not at all costs be drawn
into the Far Eastern struggle. are now
amongst the most outSDoken cham
pions of a physical force that will
prevent the repetition of the MALAGA
incident in the Red Sea.
Lord Lansdowne." says the Daily
Telegraph, voicing the views of the
news, has faced the situation created
by abuse of the right of search in a
manner worthy of a British minis
ter compelled to defend the interests
of British commerce and the honor OF
the flag, and, acting with unhestating
firmness and promptitude which re-
call the. strongest days of the national
policy, he has justified the trust of
the country.
'WhiIe not one rash word should be
said that could have the effect of in
creasng the tension of an anxious and
dangerous interval, it would be futile
to disguise the character or to mini
mize the risks of the situation, which
has arisen. We hope and believe that
a solution of the difficulty may still be
| found in the withdrawal of the Rus
I, sian government from its false posi-
| ton"
Belonged to England.
The Telegraph goes on to say that
| the stores of the MALAGA were plainly
marked with the broad arrow showing
| that they belonged to the British gov
ernment and were destined only for
British depot.
'It would be impossible to conceive
Il. hi Ia n
| illegality and error than had attend
ed the present case" the paper says,
''if this country were capable under
any circumstances of tamely enduring
so grave an injury to- the most vital
of it's interests and so great an in
suit to it's honor. we should nave
forfeited our claim to be great ma
ton. In any circumstances we think
it may be assumed that the MALAGA
will never be navigated by prize
crew to any Russian port. She is
watched, if not actually stopped, by
British warships and she will, in any
hcase, be restored to her owners long
before she can be taken through the
Dardanelles or navigated to Libau.
This emergency, in some respects,
is the most critical that has marked
our relations with Russia in the last
twenty years, and in face of infiamed
state of public opinion in st. Peters
burg it would be unwise to blind our
selves to the existence of possibilities
that would otherwise be unthinkable.
This country has adopted with decision
and composure an attitude from
which there can be no retreat or
finching. We seek a simple redress
for a violent and unprovoked injury
and where, the peace of the West de-
Dends upon the will of the Car we
cannot believe that civilization will
look to him during the next forty
eight hours in vain"
Ii Has Black Look.
The foregoing pronouncement, from
an organ so notoriousy inspired, with
its open reference to possibility OF
war, adds enormously to situation
that already was grave enough.
Every other London morning paper
devotes it's leading editorial to SINH
lar view of the situation. War with
Russia is openly contemplated by the
most staid papers OF the empire as a
contingency much to be regretted but
nevertheless inevitable for the honor
of the nation unless speedy reparation
be made for what is alleged to be a
dire insult to the British flag.