Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-15
England's Attitude in the
Knight Commander Case.
A CABINET COUNCIL
WILL NOT ADMIT THE CONTEN-
TON OF RUSSIA.
Holds That the Vessel Was Not Right
fully Sunk-The Ryeshitelni
Affair Considered.

LONDON August 15.-The final cabinet
council of the parliamentary session was
held this afternoon at the foreign Office and
gave particular attention to the question
OF the neutrality Of Chipa and British &C
tion on the Russian reply to the Knight
Commander representations. After the
council closed the emphatic statement was
made that Great Britain feels II absolutely
essential to her own interests and those OF
the entire world that the neutrality OF
China shall be observed by the two beilg-
erents. Great Britain will make earnest
efforts to secure this result.
In connection with the Knight Command
the British government Will In
struct Ambassador Hardinge that 1t cannot
admit the contention that the steamer was
righffully sunk and will insist that there
was Justification for so doing in lnterna-
tional law.
The British note will be couched in the
most conciliatory tone. and 1t Is fully eX-
pected in ca bnet circles that the question
will be adjusted by Russia paying an ade-
quate indemnity.
Will Accept Indemnity.
While dissatisfied with the failure of
Russia to recognize in principle that she
had no right to sink neutral ship, even
IL carrying contraband. the British gov
eminent feels it will gain little by pressing
the point. especially as it regards the
power of the Russian navy to harm mer-
chantmen In the far east as having nfac-
tically disappeared.
Therefore the government will accept IN
indemnity. which 1t will regard as an ad-
mission of the correctness of the position
assumed by Foreign Secretary Lansdowne
when the original demand for reparatipn
was made.
The neutrality of China presents a more
knotty problem to the London authorities
for the reason that they have to consider
the effect upon their ally.
The disposition of the government is to
go slow. In other words, while insisting
that things shall continue neutral, the
government will give Japan every Oppor-
tunity to show IL possible a justification
for the action of the torpedo boat de-
stroyer in capturing the Ryeshiteini. EN-
changes on the subject have occurred be-
tween Great Britain and Japan, the latter
insisting that the Russians were the ag-
gressors. But the reports of British off-
seem to establish the fact that the
japanese took the initiative.
Statement Of the Japanese.
At the Japanese legation representa-
tive of the Associated Press was Informed
that the Tokyo government has not reached
a decision in respect to the return OF the
Ryeshitelni to Chefoo, nor is it known
that such action is under consideration.
The Russians opened fire on our men" it
added at the legation. showing that
Tire Ryeshitelni. If she had not been dis
armed. might have attempted to leave Che
foo without regard for the promise made by
her commander and menace neutral ship
ping or carry dispatches of great impor-
lance. As the Russians took the offensive
our men had no other recourse than to cap
ture the Ryeshitelni."
officials and diplomats here recognize
the Importance of the Washington state
ment that the United States can do no more
than use her moral influence to preserve
the neutrality of China, but 1t is pointed
out that this has proved most effective in
the past, especially during the negotiations
following the Boxes revolt. and that prob
ably it would have the same results to-
day particularly as Great Britain proposes
tn support the same principle.
No representations have been made on
the subject through the American embassy
here. but an active exchange of views is
known % in progress at Picking.