Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-07-22
RUSSIA'S REPLY
To British Protest on Vessel Seizures
Is Meek in Tone.

London. July 21.-The Associated Press
learns that Count Benckendorff. the Rus
sian ambassador, at conference with
Foreign Sec. Lansdowne Wednesday al
ternoon, made what may be considered
to be n preliminary reply to the British
protest against the seizure of the steamer
Malacca.
lie assured the foreign secretary that
his government had no intention of in
fringing on the rights of Great Britain
or any other neutral power. and that II
mistake had been made in the seizure
of the Malacca unquesionably tn" steam
, er will Immediately be restored and dam
ages would be paid.
With respect to the question of the
passage of the Dardanelles which Great
Britain has also raised, it is said here
that both the British and Russian dip
demand the immediate attention which
the Malacca incident requires. 1t is
, pointed out here that the Russian posi-
tion generally is as follows:
The treaties regarding the DardenelleS
prohibit the passage of the straits by
warships, but not a word In the treaties
forbdS action such as taken by the st.
Petersburg and Smolensk.
Russia. it is clearly made known at the
foreign office, desires that the whole sub
jet shall be treated in the most friendly
spirit.
The ambassador pointed out that it
was unreasonable to suppose that the
mander Of the St. Petersburg having
good grounds to believe that size had
! contra band on board. Unless this sus-
picion is etfectu3lly disproved the matter
, will have to go before a prize court. which
procedure Great Britain herself follows.
In the meantime Russia Will make tuli
| investigation in order to establish def
nitely the grounds on which the COM
mander acted.
The ambassador also informed Lord
Iansdowne that he had telegraphed the
it would receive the immediate attention
of the Emperor and Counts Lamsdortf.
Subsequently Count Benckendorif inform
ed Lord LanSdowne that inquiries We're
at once begun and that a prompt reply
would be made.
There is reason to believe that the Rus
sian authorities incline TO the conclusion
tina the commander of the St Petersburg
made a grave mistake. in Seizing the NAL
acca. This can be established by his re-
ports which have been teiegraphed TOR.
will be telegraphed to release the Malac
ca.
With respect to the question of the pas
sage of the Dardaneles which Great Bri-
both the British and the Russian diplo-
mats hold the view that this does not de-
m ma the immediate attention. which the
out here that the Russian position gen
orally is as follows:
The treaties regarding the Dardanelles
forbids action such taken by the St.
petersburg and SmOlenSk.
Russia, it is clearly made known at the
foreign office, desires that the whole sub
ject shall be treated in the most friendly
spirit.
In reply to Great Britain's representa-
tions regarding the passage of the Darda-
nelles by the Russian volunteer fleet the
Turkish government disclaims all respon-
Sibility, insisting that the St Petersburg
and Smolensk passed in the capacity OF
merchant ships.
There is reason to believe that Great
f.rltaln is exchanging views with other
powers regarding the operations of the
volunteer fleet steamers and the hard
shlls thereby inflicted on neutral com
ington particularly has been kept in
formed 1t Is said in a responsible quarter
that the state department is giving spec
lal attention to the legal aspect of the
question of the seizure of contra band
and it Is thought Secretary Hay may con-
slider that the danger which menaces
american commerce passing through the
ited sea Is sufficient to warrant the issue
of general declaration respecting the
attitude OF America. This would he wei
coined by the foreign Office which be-
lieveS the principles actuating America
are those IL Is striving to uphold. Ger
many also, 1t is believed here. is in a
mood to welcome some international dec
laration tending to increase the liberty
of neutral commerce
When questioned in the House Of Com
mons, TO-DAY anent the departure of the
Premier Balfour confirmed the departure
of the ship in charge of Russian prize
crew. and added that he would make a
statement to the House on this most Sc
| rious question at some future day" but,
he added. he thought 1t was not desirable
that statement should be made prema-
turely.
Gen. Laurie Conservative intended to
raise the whole sea question in the House.
today, but IT was announced that at the
request of Earl Percy, under-secretary for
foreign affairs, in view of the extreme i'm
portance of the subject. he desired to
that time the British government is con-
fident the Malacca incident will have
been settled.
Foreign Secretary Lansdowne and
Count Renckendorff had another confer
ence. this afternoon, and discussed the
Malacca seizure in a friendly manner.