The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-08-05
NO DANGER
OF A RUPTURE
RuSSO-BritiSh Crisis Has
Passed.
BOTH ARE CONCILIATORY
Part Of Steamer Arabia'S
BOTH ARE CONCILIATORY
Part of Steamer Arabia'S
Cargo ConfiScated.
United States VIII Insist that Food
Supplies are Not Contraband
Unless for Use of Army
or Navy.

London. Aug. 1.-The controversy of
Knight commander is not expected
either in British Governmental or Rus
sian diplomatic circles to reach an
acute stage. both Governments having
adopted conciliatory attitude
While the final reply of Russia to
the British protest has not yet reach
ed the Foreign Office. the Associated
Press learns that Count Benckendorff.
the Russian Ambassador, had an ex-
tended conference yesterday with For
eign Secretary Lansdowne, which
brought the two Governments appre-
ciably nearer settlement.
1t is known that Lord Lansdowne In
structed Sir Charles Hardinge, the Brit
ish Ambassador at st. Petersburg, to
discuss the question of compensation
for the owners of the Knight Comman-
der with Foreign Minister Lamsdorff.
and 1t is believed here that the latter
will not fail to make an equitable Of
fer which will be satisfactory to the
British Government.
Discussion Friendly.
The Foreign Office Is reticent In re-
gard to the exchanges of communica-
tions which have passed between
Count Benckendorff and Lord Lans'
downe, but beyond the question of the
sinking of the specific ship. the two
diplomats, IL is learned, discussed In a
friendly spirit thes general principles
involved in the act.
Count Benckendorff referred to the
various regulations issued since 1895.
authorizing naval commanders in Ger
tain contingencies to sink neutral yes
sells carrying contraband, and which
though known to the neutral powers,
had not been made the subject OF pro-
test, He also quoted Professor Maar-
tens work on international laws, hold
ing the right of n belligerent vessel
CARRYING contraband under certain con-
ditions as when confronted by superior
strength
poiuted, ant when reeegnized4 by Great
Britain as aaa authority on iItterl.a-
tional law, having acted as arbitrator
on several cases. In accordance with the
invitation of the British government.
Lord Lansdowne. however. did not
modify his previously expressed view
that Admiral lessen acted contrary to
international law.
There is talk of a modification of the
Russian naval regulations which will
prevent a re-occurrence of incidents
such as the sinking of the Knight
Commander, but whether they are mod
reason to believe that an understand
ing has been reached to the effect that
only under the most extraordinary cir
cumstances will neutral vessels be
sunk hereafter.
Exception at Word "Outrage."
It is learned that Russia took excep-
ton to the use of the word outrage
by Lord Lansdowne In his speech in the
House of Lords on the subject of the
sinking of the Knight Commander and
that the Foreign Secretary explained
that he had no intention of unnecessa-
rily offending the Russian govern
ment. but the intensity of feeling in
Great Britain could only be satisfied by
the use of plain language.
with respect to the Penfnsular and
Oriental Company's steamer Malacca a
claim for compensation will Immediate
ly be made.
The Foreign Office continues anxious
that the United States should make a
declaration TO the world of its views
regarding the rights of neutrals, par
ticularly the question of contraband. as
It believes the principles of the two
countries are identical 1t is authori-
tatively stated that the United States
thus far has not gone farther than to
obtain Information regarding the ac-
ton and attitude of the British gov
eminent in the cases under negotiation
with Russia.