The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-07-22
RUSSIANS BOLD STROKE.
The Searching Of Neutral Ships on Red Sea-
No Fear Of Complications.

St. Petersburg, (By Cable).-lne
news that the Russian Volunteer
steamships Smolensk 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 SUBJ
scquent conversion into ships of war.
The general view in diplomatic cir
els, even where sentiment is not par
ticularly friendly to Russia, is that
while the passage of the Dardenelles
might be considered piece of sharp
practice on the part of Russia, 1t IS
an accomplished fact, and the powers
will not regard it as violation OF the
Treaty of Paris, but will guard against
its repetition. The diplomats think
that some of the powers might insist
that henceforth all volunteer vessels
shall be considered as warships within
the meaning of the treaty.
One of the most interesting ques-
tons in this connection, the diplomats
believe, will arise out of Russia's
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 replenish their bunkers. This
same question may embarrass Rus
STA 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 Bundcsratli (seized in
Delagoa Bay. December 2o, 1900 dur
ing the South African war, as the re-
suit of which Great Britain had to
pay damages, much curiosity exists
as to what Germany will do i'll the
case of confscation by the Smolensk
of the mail sacks on board the North
German Lloyd steamer Prince Helm.
rich, especially as large portions OF
the mail seized was undoubtedly OF
a commercial character.
Some British Protests.
London, (By Cable).-Almost with
cut exception the newspapers, in edi-
torials or otherwise, comment upon
the Russian volunteer feet steamers
passing the Dardanelles, and the gov
eminent is urged to take action, es-
pecially for the protection of British
commerce in the Red Sea and neigh
boring waters.
The Daily Telegraph, concluding an
outspoken protest written with traces
of government inspiration, says
There is limit to complaisance
when neutral commerce under the
British flag is molested in a way to
which we have been for century
and half unused"
The Standards Toxic correspond
ent, cabling under date of July ",
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