Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-26
THE RUSSIAN. SEIZURES
IMPORTANT ~ uNcEMENr By
THE Bsi@ Pnrn1Hn.
Mr. Balfour Directs Attention to the
Fact Thst Rffigersnts
Possess Fights.

Premier Ba1four. in replying to depu-
tation from the East IRdia section Of the
London chamber y commerce on the aues-
ton of the Russian seizures Of British ship
ping. last evening, told the members of the
deputation that they must remember that
bellieerents had rights as well as neutrals,
and added:
I'VE ourselves may have to appeal to the
law of nations to protect our rights as
belligerents, and. in the interests Of our
own self-preservation, we may be obliged
to ignore the interests of neutral shippers
engaged in the risky, though legitimate,
operation of carrying contraband Of war"
This came after significant statements by
Mr. Balfour that the rights of British ship
ping as defined In the kings speech would
be upheld, and that Lord Lansdowne had
stated to the Russian government most
clearly Great Britain's position in regard
to contraband. and from that position there
was no possibility of receding.
Mr. Balfour announced to the deputation
that the British government had ordered
two cruisers from the squadron at the
Cape of Good Hope, without delay, to find
the Russian volunteer fleet steamers Smo-
lensk and Petersburg and to convey to
them the orders of the Russian govern
ment that they must not further interfere
with neutral shipping. The premier stated
that this action was taken al the request
Protection Asked For.
The deputation was appointed at a meet
ing earlier In the day Of the China and
East India section Of the chamber of COM
merce. which was attended by representa-
tive shipowners and others interested in
trade in the far east and at which the fol-
lowing resolution was passed:
This meeting of members of the London
chamber of commerce concerned In trade
with the far east views with grave appre-
hension the continued uncertainty Of the
position Of British trade and shipping with
regard to what constitutes contraband Of
war as interpreted by the Russian govern
ment. The meeting trusts that his mai
esty's government will take such imme-
date and effective steps as will afford all
reasonable protection to British shipping
and insure to it the same degree Of i'm
munity from vexatious stoppages and ex-
aminations as Is apparently enjoyed by
shipping of other nattonalites."
At the same time the meeting prepared a
letter addressed to Lord Lansdowne. the
foreign minister In which it was stated
ton was having a disastrous effect on
shipping and was causing irreparable dam
age to the whole course of trade with Japan
and the far east The letter further said
that the commercial community would well
come any measures. however stringent, that
might be necessary to place British COM
merce on the same footing with that of
other non belligerent countries in the treat
ment of "so-called,, con- raband of war
Prior to receiving the Sfleputation Mr.. Bal
four held an importantly meeting at the for
eign office to which Representatives of the
intelligence experimentation the war office,
the admiralty, the foreign office and the
board of trade were summoned. The depu-
tation from the chamber of commerce was
headed by William .keswick NJ P, mem
Der of Jardne & Co.. China merchants, and
also member Of $he legislative council OF
Hong Kong, who stated the object of the
deputation and presented the resolution and
the letters, n