The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-27
Russia Must Make ReparatIon
for the knight Commander.
Apologize and Salute the Flag
of Great Britain.
CONCLUSION REACHED.
Note to That Effect Is Forward
ed to st. Petersburg.
Failure to Comply Will Call for
Use of Force.

London, July 27.-The British govern
ment is sending instructions to Sir
Charles Harding, the British annbassa-
dor to Russia today to emerge dcally
protest against the sinking of the Brit
ish Knight Commander by the Russian
Vladivostok squadron. Until the
presentation of the note to the Rus
sian government the greatest secrecy
will be maintained regarding its con-
tents, but it is known that Premier
Balfour and his colleagues have decided
to demand that the fullest reparation
shall be made by Russia, or measures
will be taken to follow up the diplo-
matte demands.
The British note to Sir Charles Hard
ing, who will submit it, will not mem
tion the amount of indemnity Russia
must pay the owners of the ship and
British subjects having goods on board
the vessel, but all that will be sought
will be the establishment of the prin-
ciple and apology. A salute of the
British flag must also be conceded and
the future protection of neutral ship
ping assured.
The attitude of the British govern
ment is the result of the thorough con-
sideration given to the reports received
from Sir Claud Macdonald, the British
minister at Toxic, and the examination
of international law authorities by
legal experts. The dispatches from Sir
Claud Macdonald confirm the reports
that the Knight Commander had no
contraband of war on board for Japan.
The government and all the British au-
thorities. it is asserted unite on the
point that there was no justification
for the sinking of the vessel.
1t is felt in government circles tnat
shadows the Red sea seizures which
practically have been adjusted, but
which have failed to settle the question
of the rights of neutral commerce.
Russia Is Saying Nothing.
In the light of the declaration of the
band of war made three weeks after
hostilities commenced no representa-
tions have been made by Count Benck-
endorff, the Russian ambassador to
Great Britain, to Foreign Secretary
Lansdowne regarding the Knight Com
mander, the ambassador not having re-
ceived advices from st. Petersburg on
the subject, nor is it seen by the Rus
sian diplomats how it is possible for
their government to make a prompt an
swer to the British demands. 1t is not
known when the Vladivostok squadron
will return to port. The commander of
the squadron, it is pointed out. unques-
tionably seized the papers of the vessel,
including her manifest and therefore
why he sank the ship and with these
reasons in their possession the Russian
authorities will be able to complete
their answer to the British representa-
tions. In the opinion of these diplo-
mats the cargo or at least portion OF
the cargo of the Knight Commander
included contraband of war under the
Russian declaration The bridge work
among the cargo is said to have been
destined for the Flu San-Seoul railroad
which the Japanese are building for
military purposes. The Russian dec
laration also announced that rye and
other food stuffs are contraband il sent
at the enemy's cost or order.
Looking to Uncle Sam.
Attention is specifically called to the
feature of the declaration saying that
neutral ships with contraband of war
of any sort can, according to circum-
stances. be not only seized, but also
confiscated.'
If the ship can be conhscated. it is
contended she can be sunk as we'll
While Russia holds that her declaration
has never been seriously questioned. the
British authorities claim that the Brit
ish ambassador at st. Petersburg first
specifically reserved the rights of his
government in case of an emergency
arising, and, later, filed objections
against the various provisions of the
declaration. The United States also re-
served her rights when acknowledging
the receipt of the Russian declaration.
The British authorities are persistent
in their desire to induce the United
States to make a declaration in respect
to the policy it proposes to pursue in
the matter of the protection of COM
merce, but nothing has yet been done
so far as known here, and the authori-
ties are looking forward with intense
interest to the result of the deIibera-
tions of President Roosevelt and Secre-
tary Hay.
Defense Committee Meets.
London, July GA lengthy meet
ing of the defense committee took
place today. under the presidency of
Premier Balfour at which the attor-
ney general, Sir Robert Finlay, was
present. The attorney general does
not usually attend these meetings, but
it was stated that tthe question at issue
between Russia and Great Britain
was under discussion and that Sir
Robert was called in to advise as to
the questions of international law in
volved.
Captain Was Surprised.
Algiers, July 27.-After a protracted
conference on board the Malacca be-
tween the British and Russian con-
su1S and Captain Schwartz, command
ing the prize crew, 1t was announced
that the Russian flag would be re-
placed by the British at O'Clock this
evening.
The orders to surrender the Malac-
ca were evidently a complete surprise
to Captain Schwartz, who Immediately
after his arrival, notified the French
naval authorities that he required 500
tons of coal and a good supply Of
water and provisions to take him to
Libeau, in the Baltic. 1t was not until
an hour later that the Russian consul,
NJ. Towaizevslxy, boarded the Malacca.
and informed Captain Schwartz of the
settlement of the difficulties regarding
the Malacca since the vessel sailed