The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-20
Press and Public De-
mand That WarShipS
Retake Vessel.
FLEET ORDERS SECRET
Maritime Lawyers Said to
Consider That Russian
Ships Are Pirates.

LONDON, July 2O.-The situation grow
Ing out Of the action Of the Russian
government in insisting on the right 10
search vessels passing through the Suez
Canal bound for the East is decidedly
more ominouS today.
Great Britain is aroused over the
seizure of the Peninsular and Oriental
Company's steamer Malacca as the aa-
ton has not been stirred in recent years.
From press and people comes unanimous
demand that British warships retake the
vessel.
In the meantime. from Paris comes
the report that while Russia is disposed
10 disavow the action of the com
mander of the Petersburg on the ground
that he misunderstood and exceeded his
orders. If a dignified protest is made
through the usual diplomatic channels
yet she viii risk an open rupture be-
fore yielding to an imperative demand"
An Imperative Demand.
England VIII make "an imperative
demand" OF that there can be no
doubt Public sentiment has swayed
ministers before. and the Balfour cabi-
net will not prove an exception.
The orders issued TO the Mediterranean
fleet are stiH a carefully guarded Sc
cret. From the fact that cruisers have
been dispatched toward Port Said the
newspapers argue that the Malacca
Will never reach a Russian port
The Times" demands that she be
retaken. turned over to her British crew.
and then sent back through the Suez
Canal and the Red Sea under guard of
q warship-
In slightly modified form. an of the
London papers re-eeho this sentiment
90 so far is, of course, at this time
simply matter of conjecture.
Germany's Attitude.
Germany's attitude at this time is a
puzzle to the British statesmen.
When the imperial mail steamer Prinz
Heinrich was seized a few days ago
and her mail bags transferred 10 a
Russian craft. a wild cry Of protest
went up through the Kaisers domains.
Representations were made TO Russia by
the foreign office
The German press demanded that the
act be disavowed and the mail released
at once. Instead. Russia searched the
mail at her leisure and then turned the
private matter over TO Il British vessel
Tor transfer 10 its destination
So far as is known Russia made no
answer 10 the German protest. Despite
this fact Germany is showing no con-
ceru about the matter. IN fact il is
openly asserted here that the German
foreign office has declined 10 Join Eng
ltHG III a. joint protest against Russia
present attitude. This is asserted on
excellent authority.
No Official Correspondence.
No Official" notes have passed be-
tween the two nations on the subject.
England simply made inquiry through
unofficial circles. When it was found
that Germany was not disposed 10 act
IN the matter IL WAS decided by the
cabinet not 10 address amy official com
munications 10 Chancellor Won Buclow.
The Times" asserts today that the
legal advisers Of the British council Of
defense have advised il that the Rus
Slan volunteer feet vessels In the Red
Sea can be- dealt with as pirates la
fact That is the Characterization of the
Russian vessels in All OF tOday-s DE-
peTs. and the attitude Of belligereucv il
permeating every class OF society
That excellent barometer OF internal
conditions The stock market. is hover
ing about the storm mark" again to-
day. The slump OF yesterday in high
class issues was further uccentuated
today.
Stock Market PeTturbed.
There are. however. some important
interests who are disposed TO use their
influence tc restore confidence. and show
that the scare over the Red Sea Incl
dents has been overdOne in the specula-
tive depression They have not been
able TO do much. however, IN boosting
prices Ilamrs were weak. Turkish
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