New-York tribune., 1904-08-26
BALFOUR WARNSSHIPPERS
THE RIGHTS OF NEUTR4LS
England Herself May Hare 10
Fight, He Sans.

/ Iigerents had rights we'll neutrals. and
! added:
we ourselves may have to appeal to the law
Of nations TO protect our rights as belligerelltS'
and in the interests of our own self-preserva-
ton. we may be obliged to ignore the interests
OF neutral shippers engaged in the risky thonsh
legitimate. operation of carrying contrabano OF
war"
This came after significant statements by MI
Balfour that the rights of British shipping as
defined in the Kings speech would oe upheld
and that Lord Lansdowne had stated TO the
Russian government most clearly Great Brit
aims position in regard to contraband. ana from
that position there was no possibility OF re-
ceding.
Mr. Balfour announced to the deputatioE that
the British government had ordered two cruisers
from the squadron at the Cape OF GOOD Hope
without delay, TO find the Russian volunteer
fleet steamers Smolensk and Petersburg and to
convey TO them the orders Of the Russian gov
ernuaent that they must not further lnterfere
with neutral shipping. The Premier stated that
this action was taken at the request OF the Rus
sian government
PROTECTION ASKED FOR
The deputation appointed at meeting
earlier in the day of the China and East INDIA
Section OF the Chamber ef Commerce, which
was attended by representative shpowners and
others interested in trade in the Far East and
at which the Following resolution was passed:
This meeting OF members OF the London Cham
ber of Commerce concerned in trade with the
Far East views with grave apprehension the
continued uncertainty of the position of British
trade and shipping with regard TO what constf-
tutes contraband OF war as interpreted oy the
Russian government. The meeting trusts that
his majesty's government Will take such irnme-
diate and effective steps as will afford all rea-
soma BILE protection to British shipping and In
sure to II the same degree OF Immunity from
vexatious stoppages and examinations az Is ap-
parently enjoyed by shipping OF other nationah-
ties.
At the same tim. the meeting prepared let
ter addressed to Lord Lansdowne. the Foreign
Minister in which II stated that the con-
tinuance Of the present situation having
disastrous effect on shipping and was causing
irreparable damage to the whole course OF trade
with Japan and the Far East. The letter fur
ther said that the commercial community would
welcome any measures. however stringent. that
might be necessary to place British commerce
on the same footing with that of other non-bel-
igerent countries In the treatment of "so-called"
contraband OF war.
Prior 10 receiving the deputatiou Mr.. Balfour
held an important meeting at the Foreign Office
TO which representatives OF the Intelligence De-
psrtment of the War Office. the Admiralty. the
Foreign Office and the Board of Trade were
of Commerce was headed by William Keswick
II. p, a member OF Jardine & Co. china L r.
chants and also member OF the legislative
council of Hong Kong. who stated the object OF
the deputation and presented the resolution and
the letters.
Mr. Balfour said that before making general
statement he desired TO hear evidence tending
10 show preferential treatment by Russia, which
was a most important phase OF the situation
and concerning which the government had no
conclusive information. and to learn OF any
concrete examples OF dinerental treatment by
Russian officers and Russian prize courts, which
he said. would be carefully considered
Members OF the deputation quoted the cases
of the Portland and Asatic Line steamship
Arabia and the British steamship Calchas The
former vessel was allowed 10 proceed while the
latter was still at Yladivostok, and the members
pointed out that both cases we're equal so far
as the nature OF the csrgoes was concerned
The cases Of the Peninsuar and Oriental Com
panys steamer Malacca and the Hamburg
American Line steamship Scandia were also
quoted Each OF these vessels had ammunition
on board, but tho Scandal was allowed TO pro-
ceed. The deputation next referred 70 the sink
ng OF the British steamer Knight Commander
ana the German steamer Thea by the Vlsd-
IVoslok squadron, and pointed out that com
inca, while it had not been even promised IN
that Of the knight Commander
Members Of the deputation also stated ,ha, 3,
wa notorious that shipments Of contra band of
war had BEEN made from Antwerp and Ham
nuig Mhle insurance rates from those and from
Ish ports. IN the ratio Of shillings to twenty
RnlllnSs. Mr. Balfour asked IL the propnrtion
oI OIL, BRUSH shipping 70 the Far East was so per
cent and a member of the deputatior replied
that 1t was about 90 per cent
SPECIAL DIFFICULTIES
The Premier then began his renl,. tEa said
'hat the questions must ne considered sepa-
rately and in the light OF different conditions
In the first place, special difficulties had arisen
net"sen Great Britain aud Russia owing to the
captures made by the volunteer fleet stes noers
"ileh had passed the Dardanelles In the char
acter OF vessels other than war vessels as all
Ne.e aware. This led to an acute controversy
anu i, the RUSSIAN government gave assurances
Wltpoul MAKING statement the question OF
the principle involved, that vessels OF mis- Oct
Would not make further captures Then whom
the Smolensk stopped another British vessel
lhe Comedian. painful impression was creatod'
ana the government made urgent inouirie. - 90
how this could be reconciIed r.jtb Crr,,' a. W
surances. '''i 'o-
Premier Balfour said that he had besr in
formed last night by Ambassador Benkendorrr
tba+ ~ c.usSIal c1 government was not certain
thaS the smolensk had received orders I'm ar-
cordance with the recent agreement concerrtn,
lhe treatment OF neutral ships. Therefore in
accoroance with the suggestion Of the British
government the Russian government had an
,norlzed Great Britain to assist in finding and
I'M informing the cruisers. In consequence Mr.
bai1our announced, the British government had
ordered two cruisers from the Cane Of Good
Hope to proceed Immediately and search for and
ma the smolensk and her consort and convey
70 them the instructions from the Russian rov-
ernment TO desist from further interference With
neutral commerce "i''
Mr' Balfour said that he hoped therefore tbev
niisht really consider the episodes connected
with the volunteer fleet as now entirely snSad