The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-07-23
STIRS RUSSIA
England Vigorously Objects 10 Seiz-
ure Of Steamer in Red Sea.
JAPS THREATEN LAO YANG
Thanking Movement May Cut Rus
slams Communications With Mukden.
VIadiVostok Fleet Sinks Jap Steamer
and Is Pursued BY Torpedo Boats.


st, Petersburg, July 2l.--The news
that Great Britain has delivered to
Russia a protest against the capture
Of the Peninsular and Oriental steamer
Malaeca in terms which are believed
TO be almost tantamount 81 demand
for the immediate release OF the YES
sell as we'll as general protest
AGAINST the action of the Russian vol
unteer fleet steamers in stopping ships
in the Red Sea was not generally
known last night. but the editorial
broadside from the London newspapers
reprinted here was sufficient warn
ing of the state of the British mind,
and the public became greatly ex-
cited.
In the hotels and restaurants the
war was temporarily forgotten. and
nothing excepting the possibility OF
complications with Great Britain was
talked OF. The old resentment against
Great Britain. which had been much
ameliorated of late. became revived at
the mere suggestion that that country
was again seeking to bait Russia. but
the official world charged with the
responsibility is keeping cool and
calm.
Provided q blunder had not been
made by the captain OF the St Peters
burg in installing the British govern
ment stores for contraband pf war
Russia will probably be prepared 10
maintain the justice of the seizure but
If a mistake has been made the gov
eminent doubtless will order the Ma
lacca to be set at liberty and pay the
bill for her illegal detention.
Both powers, while standing on their
rights. will. il is believed. do every
thing possible % avoid cause for n
rupture. Whether Great Britain has
followed up the step taken here by
making representations 70 the sultan
Of Turkey REGARDING his responsibility
in allowing the volunteer steamers TO
pass the DardanelIes is not known in
St Petersburg. but there is the best
reason for stating that such is not the
ease. Great Britain has no intention OF
reopening the Dardanelles question,
except possibly as a last resort,
The unyielding attitude on the part
IF Great Britain at this time. in view
Of the deep seated and long standing
,nmity existing in Russia against her,
which is now likely to be revived with
all intensity would be exceedingly I'M
fortunate. IL would greatly aggravate
the situation. and the diplomats with
one accord deprecate the talk Of serl.
ous international complications.
All the embassies and legations tele.
graphed the news to their govern
ments and the wires between ST. Pc
sersburg and Port Said are hot with
messages.
The report that the crew of the Ma
lacca left the ship at Port Said was
not received until midnight,
The Associated Press has been In
formed that Emperor Nicholas in an
interview with Count LamsdOr1. the
foreign minister. expressed his dis
pleasure at the turn events had taken
and at the possibility of complications
with Great Britain arising out of the
detention Of British ships by the Rus
sian volunteer fleet steamers in the
Red Sea
This pacific attitude, if the report
be correct. will doubtless lead 70 an
immediate and amicable adjustment
Of the difficulties.