New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-09-17
ALL POINTS NOT YIELDED.
One of America's Requests Believed
To Be Denied by Russia

St Petersburg. Sept. 16-Russia replied to-
day 10 the American and British notes on the
subject Of contraband Of war, in principle meet
ing the views OF the two governments regard
ing foodstufs, and coal and other fuel These
are admitted to be conditional contraband or
war and are distinctly placed in the category
OF articles susceptible of uses both in war and
peace and as such only conhscable when con-
signed to blockaded ports or destined for the
military or naval forces Of the enemy.
shipments In the ordinary course of trade bv
private persons or firms. even to an epeuv.s
port may be considered prirna faefe not contra
band but upon this point a distinct reservation,
IS made. The simple fact OF co1zip,,,s,. -.
private persons does not preclude the possibfI-
i1y that the articles are not ultimately destined
ror beligerent forces. and Russia insists that
II De not necessarily regarded as concIustv. evt-
aeAce Of the innocent character OF the goods
irregular ships papers or other suspicious ctr
cuTns'ances might vitiate the assumnrion 20
innocent character. but where such susBirso,. A.,
raised the burden OF proof to warrant legal setz-
ure Is 70 rest upon the captor Count I.srs-
dorn pointed OUT, however. that CAPTAINS ~
merchantmen also owed a duty in such cases.
Count Lansdorffs reply was not Draq.,+.7 -
written form. was was communicates -.-A.,,-
10 Ambassador Hardinge. II viii rot Involve
public amendment OF Russian contrabard and
prize regulations. but in effect it becor,ss a.
official Interpretation OF the original rasn1s+,,,
made by the commission composed 20 -a,-.
sentatives Of the Ministries OF Forsfrn Av,,..
Marine. War and Justice. which consf4a-.4 e..
subject IN the light OF the objections rafs-a h,-
the United States and Great Britain. and as
such VIII hereafter govern naval commando,
and prize courts which thus far in The -
have classed all articles enumerated in A-,,.,.
Of the Russian regulations as absolute co,-
traband
In this way Russia preserves her dignity bv
not making an open surrender at the same
time eOnsenting to the Interpretation asked for
by the United States and Great Britain IN tba
interest of the rights Of neutral commercs. In
some respects however there Is good ground
for the belief that the contention OF the United
States that railway material and certain I-,,7v
band viii not be accepted. TO thar extent
Count LamsdOrff's reply TO Ambassador Nc
Cormick may not be satisfactory TO the United
States.
Count Lamsdorfrs victory in this controversy.
while not absolutely complete is perhaps nots-
worthy as having been achieved against po7ver-
fuI adverse Influences At one time is
seemed doubtful whether any concessions could
be obtained but yesterday the Emperor sano-
toned the decision which Count Lamsdo-r-
communicated TO Sir Charles Hardinge TO-DAY.
Count Lamsdorfr has received from Amhassa-
dor Mccormick a supplementary note, amplt-
flying the views OF the United States on tho
general subject OF contraband OF war and the
principles involved in the confscation OF those
portions of the cargoes Of the steamers Arabia
and Calchas bound for Japanese ports.