New-York tribune., 1904-08-12
WILL INSIST ON RIGHTS,
Lord Lansdo7cne Hopes Russia H'iH
Not Destroy More Neutral Prizes.

London. Aug 1.-THE questions Of the Rus
sian volunteer fleet steamers and Russia's views
on contraband OF war raised in both the
House Of Commons and House OF Lords this
afternoon. In the Commons James Bryce.
Liberal, urged Joint action on the part OF Great
Britain and the United States in dealing with
the Russian claims regarding what is contra
band. and TO insure that raw cotton and food
stuns be not treated contraband unless 1t
were proved that they intended for the
use Of belligerent forces. Mr.. Bryce also drew
attention to Russia's of neutral ports
Gibson Bowles, Conservative. suggested that
the Dardanelles question he referred to the
Hague Arbitration Tribunal He characterized
the sinking Of the steamer knight Commander
as an outrage and said the government must
insist on full reparation.
The Marquis OF Ripon. in the House Of Lords.
asked the Foreign Secretary Lord Lansdowne.
about the same subjects. In reply Lord Lans-
doWne said that the government had already
explained It's views the uegality of the
| tions of the St. Petersburg and the smolensk.
| Russia. he added, had sent instructions to de-
sist from similar seizures. These instructions
had reached their destination. and consequently
| the Foreign Office assumed that there would be
lao further seizures
In regard 20 other vessels OF the volunteer
| fleet passing the Dardanelles In the future
! Lord Lansdowne confirmed dispatches regard
ing the agreement obtained by the Porte from
! Russia that the vessels should fly the Russian
! commercial flag during the whole voyage. not
carry arinaments or munitions Of war, and not
| be transformed into cruisers.
DEFINITION GREATLY sIMPLIFIED
AS TO the 'rnore serious question: OF Russian
| views Of contraband, OF war the Foreign secrs-
tary pointed out that the regulations issued by
| Russia at the beginning of the war greatly
| amplifed the definition of contraband hitherto
! accepted by Great Britain and, he believed.
! by most other Countries the enlarged definition
including such articles coal. alcohol rice and
other provisions. horses. etc. It seemed to be
matter OF such Importance that the British
| government deemed 1t it's duty to call the at
tention of Russia 10 the gravity OF the question.
| referring particularly TO the inclusion Of pro-
visions. In which England very largely in
terested among the articles regarded as "un-
conditionaly contraband OF war"
| The British government had pointed out that
this inclusion a serious innovation. and
| stated that It was bound TO assert it's rights by
| protesting against the doctrine that Il was OPP
! tional for begerent to decide on what articles
! should be dealt with contrabapd, regardless
| of we'll established rights and usages. The gov
| ernment had informed Russia that IL refused 10
consider itself bound 20 regard as valid the
decision Of any prize court violating these
! rights or which failed to act in conformity
| with recognized principles of International law.
The effect OF these severe rules had been greatly
| intensified by the exceptional measures taken
| TO enforce them. as in the case OF the Knight
| Commander.
RUSSIAN VIEW NEVER ACCEPTED.
Tho government had been given to understand
| that Russia considered that II within the
! rights OF a belligerent TO destroy a captured
! neutral vessel. whether she carried contraband
| or not. This country had never accepted such
n view, and Lord Lansdowne believed it had
| been refused by other powers II certainly had
not been accepted By the United States The