The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-07-28
RUSSIA MEEKLY
BOWS TO BRITAIN
Strain Relieved by Russ Promise
to Make Full Reparation
if Wrong.
UNITED STATES TO
SEEK PREPARATION
American Cargoes Under Foreign
Flags Must Be Paid for by

London, July 2S.-The tension in
the Russo British relations has been
relaxed and no rupture is now prob
able. Count Benckendorff, the Rus
sian ambassador to Great Britain, in
formed Lord Lansdowne this morn
ing that If Russia had committed a
wrong she was ready and willing to
make full reparation, but before any
action could be taken in the knight
Commander case, the Russian govern
ment must have the opportunity of re-
ceiving the report of the commander
of the Vladlvostok squadron.
Lord Lansdowne was not disposed
to press the matter unduly and prom
ised to wait a reasonable time.
1t developed today that the United
States is depending on Great Britain
to obtain compensation for the loss of
the Knight Commanders cargo. 1t is
the custom for shipowners to be re-
sponsible for cargoes and therefore
the American claim Is to be made to
the owners of the Knight Commander,
who, of course, are British, and who In
turn, will make a claim to the British
government. ~. .- g..
In the house of commons this after
noon Premier Balfour said the acute
stage of the Red sea incidents had
passes and that the Russian volunteer
fleet vessels would be Withdrawn. He
ldlQ QOWn the bflIlSIl view THAI lo
belligerent warship could issue from
the Black sea and the voluteer fleet
vessels In issuing thereform, If they
took belligerent action, either had no
right to Issue or no right to take such
action.
The strongest possible exception
had been taken to the seizure of the
Malacca on these grounds. The Rus
sian government had met the British
contention In regard to this particular
incident. AS to the Knight Com
mander case, the government had
earnestly protested that the sinking
of that vessel was contrary to- the &C
cepted practice of nations.
Other Serious Questions.
"There are, I am sorry to say" said
the premier, "other questions not con-
nected with the incident at all, which
8 must cause some discussion between
the two governments, and, like all
discussions between governments,
there may be legitimate cause for
anxiety We hold that it Is not proper
that. on the authority Of the captain
of a cruiser, goods alleged to be con-
traband of war should be taken from
a merchant ship without trial"
Asked whether any difference be-
tween the two countries likely to lead
to war would be referred to The
Hague arbitration tribunal, the pre-
mier replied:
"That Is a hypothetical question
which can hardly be expected to
answer. The government will not be
supected of any desire to plunge
recklessly into hostilities. would
be travelling beyond my functions II
I were to say what causes are or are
not of a character which should be
submitted to The Hague tribunal un'
nriSaap
, America Writes Note.
Washington, July 28.-The state de-
partment has addressed itself to the
Russian government thru Spencer
Eddy, the American charge at st
Petersburg, on the subject of the
capture of the Arabia by the Vladivo
stok squadron. The Hamburg-Ameri
can company, the owners of the shil
undoubtedly will appeal to the Ger
man government to secure the release
of it's ship and compensation for tht
delay in her cruise and other items o.
loss. ..l