Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-07-26
TOday's Telegraphic News
rhe sinLing fEnrIish Ships.

London. July 26.-The sinking ~
the British steamer Knight Com"i ANU,
by the Vladiyostok cruisers Oh S"P:'"
continues 10 be the main topic Oh uis-
onss;on in naval circles. Opinions as 10
The r;gbt or wrong of the act ditier, put
the consensus of opinion seems 10 DC
that while the seizure OF the vessei
' .n% he permissible, did it contain
contraband among its cargo, the sinking
Of the Knight Commander was an act
beyond the pale of Legality, even IN
time of war. Men prominent in British
shipping circles express Indignation
over the act. Several who were inter
viewed this morning point out that
should such acts be permitted no British
vessel would be safe in eastern waters,
and that it would be impossible to in
sure ships or cargoes against loss. The
London Times this morning quotes
Lord Stowell, whom it regards as one OF
the greatest masters of public law III
Britain, as altogether opposed to the
proposition that belligerent may destroy
an incriminated ship.
Premier Balfour refused to discuss all
questions as to the status of the Russian
volunteer feet put to him in the House
Of Commons today. He said he would
not discuss the matter while it was being
considered by the governments of Eng
land and Russia. Both governments, he
said, were inquiring into the full facts
attendant upon the sinking OF the British
steamer Knight Commander.
Berlin, July 26.-Advices received
from st. Petersburg state that dead
lock exists in Russian official circles as
to the status of the volunteer fleet. The
ministers are DESTROYS of settling the af-
fair according to the English view, but
the Car declines to do so. He wants tc
maintain the right of the fleet to search
vessels, even if the Russian vessels dc
pass through the Dardauelles before de-
claring their status. If his desires are car
ried out, grave consequences are feared.
Washington, July 26.-Amerioan
shippers of non-contraband goods to the
Orient find themselves in difficult situa.
ton. The Russian Vladivostok fleet
is now lowering about the entrance tc
Toxic bay with the evident purpose OF
Selling at least the Korea and the SHAY
NUT. nowlnear!y due at that point, anc
should the Russians follow the preceden
they have set in the case of the knight
Commander both ships are likely to be
sunk upon the plea that the Russians have
not a sufficient force to place prize crews
aboard and take the ships to Russian ports.
Nor does there seem to be much hope fol
the innocent shipper of non-centraband
goods. Should there prove to be five pei
cent of the cargo of a contraband nature
or even two or one per cent, the Rus
slams, if they follow their present theor!
in such matters, world be likely to con
denim and sink the whole. Hypotheti'
cal questions have been asked of the STATE
Department by American shippers an'
although the department has refused t
make public the nature of its replies it Is
safelto assume that these have followed TIN
rule of the officials and that is the avoid
ance of academical discussions. nOthe
words, the shippers have been told tina
the department could not anticipate 1T
action provided an American ship b.
seized. but must wait until that becomes
an actually.