The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-26
CAPTURED ARABIA
AMERICAN SHIP

As the steamer Arabia, which the Rus
sian VladivOstok feet seized of Yoko-
hama. is an American vessel carrying
American cargo. the United States is
now in the same position as Germany
and Great Britain and cannot be regard
ed as a disinterested observer Of the
ravage Russia is working on commerce
in the Orient
The Arabia carried provisions cor
signed TO individuals in Japan. Its own
ers, the Portland and Asiatic Company,
anege that il is not contraband. Mate
rials for railway construction formed
part Of the Arabia cargo and are sup
posed to have been the cause OF its cap
ture.
Ship Owners Troubled.
The state Department IS constantly re-
celving dispatches from owners Of ships
which are within range of the Vladivo-
stok squadron.
The Boston Steamship Company is
much alarmed about its steamer Shaw
NUT. which sailed from Seattle for Kobo
on July 1s with $4,000 pounds OF Ameri-
car. beef and many other supplies The
Pacific Mail Company is uneasy about
its steamer Korea, which lett san tran-
cisco on July y with much machinery
and steel for japanese ports as Wen as
$4,000 in treasure. The Occldentdl ana
Oriental line steamer Gaelic also left San
Francisco on July i. bound for Japan.
with a cargo Of canned goods, arms and
ammunition
Clash Averted.
The release by the Russian volunteer
fleet in the Red Sea of the British
steamer Ardova. which was carrying
large consignments Of ammunitin2 and
other supplies for the American army
in the Philippines. probably averted d
serious clash between the United States
and Russia.
George ". Peabody & Co, Of New
York. the contractors who were supply
ing this ammunition 10 the army, pro-
tested 10 the War Department yest2s-
day against the ArdOva's 5 seizure. snort
IN after the protest had been brought
10 the attention of the State Depart
ment a dispatch was received annoulc-
ing the release of the ArdoVa-
Fate of the Knight Commander.
Why did the Russian Vladivostok
SQUADRON sink the Knight Commander?
WIN other vessels suffer the same fate
at the hands Of the Russians
These are questions which are being
anxiously asked by owners Of merchant
vessels on the Pacific
The state Department ita9 AS~~4. ~
many anxious inquiries concerning
Russia'S authority 10 act as IL olu-
DiplomatiSts and naval officers are
frank IN their declarations that the ac-
tion of the Russian squadron was with
our precedent IL all the facts concern
ing the sinking of the Knight CGm-
mander have been printed.
Almost BaTbarism.
"Tt's little short of barbarism 10 sink
foreign vessels in that manner, said
a naval officer who has a wide knowl-
edge of the laws relating TO contraband
Of war.
.sThe explanation OF the Russians
action must be that they did not have
a prize crew 10 put on the knight Com
mander. In that case similar action
may be expected if they capture other
vessels carrying supplies.
..The conduct of the Russians Is CN-
traord!nary. 20 say the least. II they
continue 10 run things in such a mSn-
handed manner .hey viii provoke q gem
eral war.
discuss Russia's action and wlthho!f
judgment until all facts are known ana
ola ms have been filed by the American
Trading Company, which owned the
cargo on the Knight Commander
Unless the Russian cruisers sunk Ine
British vessel while IL was trying TO
escape there seems TO be no lusLihcSIi.'n
in the laws OF nations for their acton.
R,ssia viii doubtless be compelled by
Great Britain and the United States 10
paw for the vessel and its cargo. none
OF which was conrraband. according 10
the statements of the owners.