The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1904-08-24
sToPPAGE OF THE COMEDIAN,
II Done by the smolensIk, Trouble VIII
Follow.

London. Aug. 23.-The Foreign Of
fee has ordered the British officials at
Durham, Natal, to make a complete re-
port of the circumstances connected
with the reported examination OF the
papers of the British Steamer Come
dian by a Russian auxiliary cruiser off
the South African coast. It ise said
that If the report confirms the Smo-
lensk was the vessel that made the
examination. then a vigorous protest
will be made through Ambassador Har-
dinge. In any event IL Russian
cruiser actually held up the Comedian
the incident will be made the subject
of representation on the ground that
the steamer was so far away from the
scene of hostilities that there was not
the slightest reason for her stoppage.
The most important feature of the
incident, however. is the identity of
the cruiser. If the Smolensk actually
examined the Comedians papers, she,
according to the British officials, vio-
lated the assurances given by the
Russian government that neither she
nor the st. Petersburg would be used
again as men of war.
The Russian embassy has not been
advised of the overhauling of the CO.
median and is inclined to doubt. if 1t
occurred. that the Smolensk was con-
H.,
instructions issued by the admiralty at
St. Petersburg. So far as official in
formation as concerned, the matter Is
SO hazy that it is conceded in both dip
Iomatic circles and at the Foreign Of
fee that 1t is desirable to obtain all
the facts before formally raising q
question which may develop into an
important International dispute.
The British authorities declare that
If the Smolensk overhauled the Co
median. the matter has become of such
gravity as to call for determined &C
ton on the part of this government.
The Russian diplomats regard the
proclamation of the governor of NAL
ia, forbidding the granting of coaling
privileges to either belligerent fleet
proceeding to the seat of war or to bel
ligerent vessels on their way to posi-
tions on the line of route with the
object of intercepting neutral ships or
suspicion of carrying contraband, as
aimed more at Russia than Japan, the
purpose being, they claim, not so much
to embarass the operations of cruisers
in search of contraband as TO discharge
the giving of assistance by any pow
er to Vice Admiral Rojestvenskis
fleet in the event that 1t starts East
ward.
1t had been thought in diplomatic
circles that France would permit the
Russian ships to coal from their own
collieries within the shelter of French
harbors. but the proclamation OF the
governor of Malta holds that such hos.
pitality is a violation of neutrality.
The Japanese legation expresses
satisfaction at the denial from Wash
ington that the United States torpedo
boat destroyer Chauncey had been or
dered to interfere with the Japanese
operations at Shanghai. The legation
added that Japan could not permit the
anomalous condition at Shanghai to
continue much longer. The Japanese
minister at Pekin and the Taotai at
Shanghai are cooperating in urgent
representations which. it 10 hoped. will
be effective.
Japan" declared the legation, will
not consent to a partial disarmament
as in the case of the Ryeshitelni at
Chefoo. The Russian ships must either
disarm completely or fight"