Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-07-21
RUSSIANS BOLD STROKE
The Searching tf Neutral Ships en-
Red Sea.
HAVE NO FEAR OF COMPLICATIONS.
Diplomats In ST. Petersburg Anxious to Learn
the Views of Their Government on the Pas
sage Of Russian Ships Through the Darda'
neIIes as Merchantmen and Their Conversion
Into Warships ps-Both Armies In Touch.

St, Petersburg, (By Cable).-1he
news that the Russian Volunteer
steamships Smolcnsk and St. Peters
burg, now cruising in the Red Sea,
are stopping ships of neutral nations
and searching the for cantrabands
Of war is causing the liveliest interest
in all circles. Russia has evidently
weighed the question, believes her
self to be within her rights, and neither
fears nor anticipates international
complications. Indeed, some of the
powers may have been sounded by
Russia on the subject Nevertheless,
foreign opinion is awaited eagerly,
and more or less criticism is expected,
Members of the diplomatic corps
are keenly anxious to ascertain the
views their governments will take
of the passage through the Darda-
nelles of these vessels of the volunteer
fleets as merchantmen and their sub
sequent conversion into ships OF war.
The general view in diplomatic cir
els, even where sentiment is not par
ticulary friendly to Russia, is that
while the passage of the Dardenelles
might be considered piece OF sharp
practice on the part of Russia, it is
an accomplished fact, and the powers
will not regard 1t as violation OF the
Treaty of Paris, but will guard against
its repetition. The diplomats think
that some OF the powers might INSIST
that henccforth all volunteer vessels
shall be considered as warshlps within
the meaning OF the treaty.
One of the most interesting qucS-
tons in this connection, the diplomats
believe, will arise out OF Russia
declaration that coal is contraband of
war. With prize crews on board the
captured ships could be sent to Rus
sian Baltic ports. but If short OF coal
they could not put in at neutral ports
to repcnish their bunkers. lhls
same question may embarrass Kus-
Sia when the Baltic squadron sails
for the Far East.
In view of the protest made by Ger
many in the case of the stOppage OF
the steamer Bundcsrath (seized in
Delagoa Bay December 20, 1907 dur
suit OF which Great Britain had to
pay damages, much curiosity exists
as to what Germany will do in the
case of confscation by the Smolensk k
of the mail sacks on board the North
German Lloyd steamer Prince Hem.
rich, especially as large portions OF
the mail seized was undoubtedly OF
a commercial character.
Some British Protests.
London, (By Cabe).--Almost with
out exception the newspapers, in edl-
tOrials or otherwise. comment upon
the Russian volunteer fleet steamers
passing the Dardanelles, and the gov
crnment is urged to take action, es-
pecialy for the protection OF British
commerce in the Red Sea and neigh
boring waters.
The Daily Telegraph, concluding an
outspokcn protest written with traces
of government inspiration, says:
There is a limit to cOmplaisance
when neutral commerce under the
British flag is molested in way to
which we have been for a century
and a half unused"
The Standards Toxic correspond
cnt, cabling under date of July u,
says the Jill Shimpo, in an editorial.
expresses the hope that Great Britain
will see that Turkey lends Russia no
assistance by allowing steamers of
the volunteer fleet to pass the Darda-
nelles.