New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-21
[ANSD0WNE'S ATTITUDE.
Photographs" Firm Statement of
Great Britain's Course.


morning voicing the views of the government
in regard 10 the protest to Russia against the
seizure of the Malacca by a volunteer fleet
steamer from the Black Sea. says;
Lord Iansdowne has faced the situation
ated by the abuse of ths right Of search in the
only manner worthy OF a British Minister COM
PEELED TO defend the interests or Brltlsh com
rnerce and the honor of the flag. and, acting
with unhestating fTmness and promputude,
which recall the strongest days OF the national
policy he mas justified the trust OF the country
While not one rash word should be said which
could have the effect of increasing the tension OF
an anxious and dangerous interval, it would be
futile TO disguise the character or TO minimize
the risks Of the situation which have arisen. We
hope and believe that q solution Of the difficulty
may still be found in the withdrawal Of the Rus
sian government from its false position 1t is
obvious if the volunteers passed the Dardanelles
as merchant vessels they cannot be allowed to
scour the Red Sea as warships. The doors OF
the Black Sea must either be open OF shut. II
open warships they must be so to all war
ships If the Russian feet is to be permitted to
emerge in violation OF treaty provisions. the
British feet must be allowed TO enter upon
these terms.
II is no secret that We have not been un-
willing 10 remove the existing veto OF the
Dardanelles. and enable those straits to be
traversed by the navies of all nations.
The Telegraph goes to say that the
stores Of the Malacca were plainly marked with
the broad arrow, showing that they belonged
10 the British government. and were destined
only for q British depot. adding:
II would be impossible TO conceive a more
remarkable accumulation Of illegality and error
than has attended the present case. If this
country were capable, under any circum-
stances Of tamely enduring grave injury
to the most vital of its interests. and great
an insult TO its honor, We should have for
feited our claim TO be a great nation.
In any circumstances, We think IL may be
assumed that the Malacca will never be navi-
gated by prize crew to any Russian port
She is watched, II not actually stopped. by
British warships and she will, in any case, be
restored 10 her owners long before she can be
taken through the Dardanelles or naYigated
10 Lbau.
The emergency, in some respects, is the most
critical that has marked our relations with Rus
sia In the last twenty years, and in face Of the
infamed state Of public opinion in st. Peters
burg il would be unwise TO blind ourselves TO
the existence OF possibilities that would other
wise be unthinkable. This country has adopted
with decision and composure an attitude from
which there can be no retreat or fiinching. We
seek a simple redress for violent and unpro-
voked injury. and where the peace of the West
depends upon the viii Of the Car. we cannot
believe that civilization will look to him during
the next forty-eight hours in vain.
The foregoing pronouncement. from an organ
so notoriously inspired. with its open reference
10 a possibility OF war, adds enormously TO a
situation that already was grave enough.
Every other London morning paper devotes its
leading editorial to a similar view of the situa-
tion. War with Russia is openly contemplated
by The most staid papers Of the empire a
contingency much TO be regretted, but, neverthe-
less inevitable for the honor Of the nation unless
speedy reparation be made for what is alleged
70 be direct insult TO the British flag.
Such organs as The Daily News" and THE
Chronicle."' representing the extremes OF the
Liberal party. which took an implacable stand
againsr the Boer war. urged the government TO
take every step retrieve the honor of the Brit
ish nation
The keynote Of ''The Standards editorial in
declaring that the Malacca must not be allowed
10 leays Port Said under the Russian flag is as
follows:
We do not keep powerful feet in the Medi-
terranean in order that the inland sea shall be
The scehe OF such outrage upon interna-
uoral Jsstice. Should the representations of Sir
Charles. Hardinge the British Ambassador at
ST Petersburg Cnhappily be ignored, proper in
structiehs must be sent to our comma nder In
chief Oh the Mediterranean. II would be a de-
plorabe necessity, but for which we cannot
blame ourselves.
The Times" says:
his majesty's government has taken course
which the nation expected them take. No
government IN this country could possibly ac-
quiesce in the pretentiois implied In the action
Of the volunteer feet steamer St. Pete1burg
and no government could allow the Malacca to
he taken 10 Russian port 10 be condemned
Dg Russian prize court.
Public opinion on this subject is absolutely y
Lilanlf.OGS- IL mas DecE and happily still re-
mains quite calm and self possessed, but there
coule be more fatal mistake than to ina gin.
that il is. therefore. Indifferent The fate of the
Malacca must be decided II once and decided In
a way we have demanded. She still remains at
Port Said, detained. IL would appear by the
Egyptian government In the ordinary course
OF its manoeuvres. the Mediterranean feet IS now
In the neighboring waters
With this thinly veiied threat The Times
concludes its long contribution toward the ex
uaordinary agitation on the subject in the press
The Associated Press last night secured in
ieryie~s with many prominent persons I'm
close touch with the government rela tive
Coz..o IT.