Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-08-26
Sent Out for the Russian
Cruiser SmoIensk.
England Brings Russia to Task
in Handsome Manner.
Two Cruisers Go Out to Hunt Up the
Offending Craft and Tell Her Cap
tain That He Is Not Longer Needed
in Present Business.

London, Aug 25.-Prime Minister
Balfour announced. this evening. that
the British government had ordered
two cruisers from the squadron at
Cape of Good Hope, without delay, to
locate the Russian volunteer fleet
steamers Smolcnsll and st. Petersburg
and to convey 10 them the orders OF the
Russian government that they must
not further interfere with neutral ship
ping. The premier stated that this ac-p
ton WAS taken at the request of the
Russian government.
This extraordinary statement was
made when the premier by appoint.
ment re- ived dcputation of the.
London Chamber Of Commerce, which
was appointed at a meeting held earlier
in The day by the China and East India
/ section of the Chamber. Those I'm at,
| tendance included representative ship
! owners and others interested in trade
! III the Far East. A resolution was
passed at the meeting expressing the
hope that His Maiesty's government
will take immediate and effective
| steps as will afford all reasonable pros
lection Of British shipping and ensure
to it the same degree of immunity from
1
as is apparently enjoyed by shipping OF
other naUoualitics"
At the same time the meeting pre-
pared 4 letter addressed to Lord Lans-
downe, in which 1t was statd that the
continuance OF the present situation
was having a disastrous effect on ship
ping and was causing irreparabIc dam
ago to tho whole course Of trade with
Janan ana the Far East"
Tho dcputation from the Chamber OF
Commerce, which was headed by Will
| lima KcsWiclt. M. p. "a member OF the
! firm of J9rdinc and Co, China mer-
! chants and also member of the leg
/ isativc council of Hong Kong) VIII,
stated the object of thc deputat ton had
, in Wow and presented the resolution
and tho letter.
Mr.. Balfour said that before making
n general statement he desired to hear
evidence tending to show preferential
CatmCnt bv Russia which was n most
imnortant phase of the situation. This
was given by members of the deputa-
tion, who quoted the cases OF the
American steamer Arabia and the Brit
ish stnamcr Calchas: the British
Steamer Ma1acca and the German
stennor Scandal and the sinking Of the
Eriush steamer knight Commander.
and the German steamer then by aid
of the Viadivostok squadron in which
instances the vessels Of the other ma
tions wore treated with more consid-
GRAFTON and the British ships
Premier Ralfour said he had
been informed. last night, by Am
bassador Benkendorff that the Russian
government was not certain that the
Smolensk had received orders I'm ac-
cordance with the recent agreement
concerning the treatment of neutral
ships. Therefore 1t was the suggestion
of the British government that the
Russian government had authorized
the British government to assist I'm To-
eating and notifying the cruiser. In
Mr.. Balfour announced
the British government had ordered
two cruisers from the Cape of Good
Hope to proceed to search and locate
the Smolensk and her consOrt and to
convey to them the instructions of the
Russian government to desist I'm the
and search of foreign COM
mcrce.
Balfour said he hoped, therefore, that
they might really consider the episode
with the volunteer fleet as
now entirely ended.
Most assuredly," said the premier.
SHOULD the volunteer fleet attempt
further captures, which I do not think
CONTINUED on page 81