The San Francisco call., 1904-07-21
British. Minis ter
Calls Russia to
Account.
Transmits a Note
Directing to
Seizures.
Continued From Page 4, Column 9.
Continued From Page I, Column 9.

is the Government stamp.
The ambassador also presented
general protest against the action OF
the Russian volunteer fleet steamships
in the Red Sea-
The protest was in the form or
verbal note, made in conformity with
telegraphic instructions from the Brit
ish Government. It did not raise the
question Of the passage of the Darda-
nelles by vessels of the volunteer fleet.
SHIPMENTS OF CONTRABAND.
Russia has reason to believe and con-
tends that the Malacca, in addition to
British Government stores, had on
board munitions intended for Japan
1t is understood that before sending
the cruisers the Russian authorities De-
came satisfied, through an elaborate
system of espionage, that an immense
amount Of contraband was going from
England through the Red Sea to Japan,
and they decided to stop the traffic. 1t
is understood that if this traffic is now
diverted to the cape route the Russian
Admiralty is prepared to send ships to
the Cape Of Good Hope. If Great Brit.
ain opposes the passage of the Darda-
nelles by more vessels Of the volunteer
fleet the ships intended for the cruising
off the cape may be sent fromNthe
Baltic.
The attempts to create a sensation
out of the passage of the Dardanelles
by the Russian guardship Cherno-
moretz are regarded here as ridiculous.
This warship. being the regular guard
ship, has been passing in and out OF
the Black Sea for twenty years.
PARTY LINES SET. ASIDE.
LONDON, July 20.-The opposition
leaders in the House of Commons have
allowed it to be understood that they
will be prepared to support the Gov
ernment in it's representations to Rus
sia in regard to the seizure of the
steamship Malacca in the Red Sea.
The directors of the Peninsular and
Oriental Company, at meeting this
afternoon, decided to urge strongly on
the Government the necessity for ac-
ton in regard to the seizure of the Ma
lacca. The Government has been def
nitely informed that the only explo-
sives on the Malacca were stores
shipped by their Government to Hong
kong
It appears that the Smolensk and st.
Petersburg not only passed through the
Dardanelles under the Russian COM
mercia1 flag, but that they also went
through the Suez canal under this flag
on their outward voyage.
The Malacca's passengers have been
transferred to the steamer Marmora of
the Peninsular and Oriental line.
IA
especially waited for by the Russians,
on secret information from Antwerp
that she was carrying ammunition and
iron work for a crane at Moji, Japan.
She was arrested during the morning
of July 13, when two and half miles
off Great Hanish Island, near Jebel
Zukor. in spite Of her captains pro-
test that the ammunition on board was
intended for the British army at Sing
apore and Hongkong. The crew of the
Malacca was kept under strict arrest,
and when it arrived at Suez at dawn
July 10 it was not allowed to COM
municate with the shore.
The Malacca arrived at Port Said
at dawn to-day and asked for 400 tons
of coal, fresh water and provisions for
Cherbourg. The case was referred to
the Egyptian Government, it being the
first time on record that an alleged
prize had been taken through the canal
under a different flag. 1t happens that
that the Malacca had an abundance of
coal already and was in no great need
of water or provisions. Therefore she
might have sailed forthwith, but she
remains here pending instructions.
PORT SAID, July 20.-The crew and
passengers of the Peninsular and ORR
entail steamship Malacca, seized by the
Russian volunteer steamship st. Pc
tersburg in they're Sea, have been
landed here. The ship is detained by the
authorities, who are waiting instruc-
tions before taking further action.
REPLY TO BERLIN DELAYED.
BERLIN. July 2o.-Russia has in
formed Germany, according to the CO.
logne Gazette, that no report has been
received from the commander of the
Smolensk regarding the seizure on July
15 of mails on board the Prinz Helm