The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-19
WARSHIPS OF ENGLAND
TO TEACH Department

will amply indemnify England for the
damage done. II Is also believed that
England Is determined to preclude the
possibility of any further interference
with her shipping.
The Times " insurance correspon-
dent, commenting on the seizure Of the
T. & o. steamer Malacca, by the cruiser
Petersburg. says the important point is
not the nature OF the Malacca's cargo
but the status of the Petersburg and
her right to interfere with neutral ship
ping He adds:
The capture OF the Malacca and the
search by the Russian volunteer cruiser
SmOlersk of a German steamer hap
pened at a convenient time for ship
owners No government, however want
ing In backbone. could face the public
opprobrium which would now follow in
action both in Germany and England.
Public opinion is reused and the two
governments viii be compelled 10 act
vigorously and at once.
Protest Stage Only.
More conservative circles 90 not be-
lieve that action by England and Ger
many will go beyond the protest stage,
although they admit that further inter
ference with shipping may force more
stringent measures.
1t is believed by these conservative
people that Russia will evade. TO a de-
gree. responsibility for the seizures and
say that the Petersburg and Smolensk
exceeded their orders in stopping the
vessels. This will remove the matter
from the shoulders of the Russian gov
eminent and make scapegoats of the
commanders Of the two volunteer cruis-
ers. Then. If pushed in the matter. Rus
STA will pay the indemnity demanded and
the incident will close.
II is also pointed out that Turkey will
probably be able to eyade any response
bility for the breach OF neutrality in per-
hitting the Smolensk and Petersburg
TO pass through the Dardanellos. The
two cruisers passed the Bosphorus. not
as warships, but as merchantmen. and
II was not until they were In the open
sea that their guns were mounted and
they became fighting machines.
Battle at Motien-Lang.
Considerable skepticism is expressed in
military circles today regarding the Rus
sian account of the fight on July Il at
Motien-Lng between the Russian forces
under General Keller and the Japanese
forces under General Kuroki. According
to the official report of the fight. which
resulted in' a repulse TO the Russians.
sent by General Kuropatkin to the Gar,
the force under General Keller was sent
merely on a accommodating expedition.
kuropatkin takes the sting from the
not TO press the fight too heavily, but
il he should find the Japanese force too
strong for him to retire to his original
position. This Keller did, but in the
operation lost 1000 killed and wounded.
Several experts in reviewing the fight
pick flaws in this statement In the first
place. they say a accommodating party
would hardly be composed of 10000
troops, and, even admitting this. II is
highly improbable that a force whose
sole object was 10 ascertain the strength
OF the enemy would make a combined
attack on three sides of the enemy and
fight so desperately as TO lose 1000 men.
Underestimated Strength.
It is generally thought that the Rus
SLAMS underestimate Kurokis strength,
and suffered disaster as a result. The
Russians had strong motive for resO-
Lutte attack on the japanese position
Kuroki's force IS a decided menace TO
the main force of the Russians under
Kuropatkin, who are in the neighbor-
hood of Taschi-ChaO-
As has been pointed out in these dis
patches on several occasions lately. the
Russians are in a rather precarious posi-
ton, with Oku and NodZu on their front
10 cut off their retreat IL Is therefore
highly probable that the force OF Keller
made the attack on Motien-Ling with
the purpose Of halting Kurokfs advance
and thus leaving Kuropatkin loophole
for retreat, should he find the japanese
attack in the coming engagement 100
Sarca 10 Withstand