The San Francisco call., 1904-07-28
Britain Demands a
Salute to Flag
by Russia.

LONDON. July 27.-The British Gov
eminent sent instructions TO Sir
Charles Hardinge, the British Embas-
sador to Russia, to-day 10 energetically
protest against the sinking of the Brit
ish steamship knight Commander by
the tRussian Vladivostok squadron. I'm
til the presentation of the note TO the
Russian Government the greatest Sc
crecy viii be maintained regarding it's
contents, but il is known that Premier
BalfOur and his colleagues have de-
cided to demand that the fullest rep
aration be made by Russia or stern
measures will be taken
The British note which Sir Charles
Hardinge Will submit viii not men
ton the amount of indemnity Russia
must pay the owners of the ship and
British subjects having goods on board
the vessel. but all that will be sought
Will be the establishment Of the prin-
ciple of indemnity and apology. a
salute OF the British flag also must be
conceded and the future protection of
neutral shipping assured.
The attitude OF the British Govern
ment is the result OF thorough consid
GRAFTON given to reports received from
Sir Claude Macdonald, the British Min
ister at Toxic. and the examination of
international law authorities by legal
experts The dispatches from Sir
Claude Macdonald confirm the reports
that the knight Commander had no
contra band Of war fon board for the
japanese. The Government and all the
British authorities. IL is asserted. unite
on the point that there was no justifi-
cation for the sinking of the vessel.
It is felt in Government circles that
the Knight Commander incident over
shadows the Red Sea seizures, which
practically have been adjusted. but
which have failed TO settle the question
OF the rights of neutral commerce
BALFOUR INFORMS PARLIAMENT
That the British Government regards
the sinking of the steamship Knight
Commander as a breach of information
al Law was confirmed by Premier Bal
four in the House of Commons this
afternoon. Answering questions re-
garding destruction OF the Krxght
Commander and the seizure of the
Malacca and other vessels, the Prem
ier said he hoped to be in a position
TO make a brief statement regarding
the Malacca tomorrow. AS TO the
sinking Of the knight Commander he
regretted that information which
reached me this morning confirmed
this regrettable occurrence" Balfour
added:
There is no question of loss Of life.
but 1 am afraid there is a question of
breach Of international law"
In the light Of the declaration Of the
Russian Government respecting con-
traband Of war, made three weeks
after hostilities commenced, no repre-
sentations have been made by Count
BenckendOrff, the Russian Embassa-
dor TO Great Britain, TO Foreign Secre-
tary Lansdowne regarding the Knight
Commander, the ambassador not hav-
ing received advices from ST. Peters
burg on the subject. nor is Ii seen by
the Russian diplomats how it is posi-
bic for their Government to make a
prompt answer TO the British demands.
1t is not known when the Vladivostok
squadron viii return to port. The com
mander Of the squadron it is pointed
out, unquestionably seized the papers
Of the vessel including her manifest.
and, therefore. viii be able TO present
reasons 10 show why he sank the ship,
and, with his reasons in their posses
sion, the Russian authorities will be
able TO complete their answer TO the
British representations