The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-07-27
ENGLAND SENDS PROTEST.
iee1ks Indemnity and an Apology from
Russia.

London, July 27.-The British gov
rnment is sending instructions to Sir
!harles Hardinge. the British ambas-
ador to Russia, today, to protest en-
rgetically against the sinking of the
British steamer Knight Commander
y the Russian V1adivostok squadron.
Until the presentation of the note
the Russian government, the great
st secrecy will be maintained regard
ng its contents, but 1t Is known that
PREMIER Balfour and his colleagues
ave decided to demand that the full
st reparation shall be made by Rus
Ia or measures will be taken to fol-
wv UP the diplomatic demands.
The British note, as Sir Charles
tarding will submit it, will not men
on the amount Of indemnity Russia
;ritish subjects having goods on
GARD the vessel but all that will be
ought will be the establishment Of
he principle of indemnity and
pology. A salute of the British flag
lust also be conceded and the future
rejection of neutral shipping as
Ired. .......t
The attitude of the British govern
lent Is the result Of thoro considera-s
-on given to the reports received
com Sir Claude Mcdonald, the Brit
III minister at Toxic, and the exarrlin-'
ton of international law authorities
y legal experts. The dispatches
ON Sir Claude Mcdonald confirm the
sports that the Knight Commander
ad no contraband Of war on board
)r Japan. T
The government and all the Brit
-Jh authorities, 1t Is asserted, unite
, the point that there was no justifi-
alton for the sinking of the vessel
1t is felt in governmental circles
1at the Knight Commander incident
vershadows the Red sea seizures,
rhich practically have been adjusted
ut which have failed to settle the
uestion Of the rights of neutral COM
lerce. E-<...1 - a.' %
i, In the light of the declaration Of
lie Russian government respecting
ontraband Of war, made three weeks
fter hostilities commenced, no rep
asentations have been made by Count
enckendorff, the Russian ambassador
} Great Britain, to Foreign Secretary
ansdowne regarding the Knight Com
lander, the ambassador not having
,ceived advices. from ST. Petersburg
n the subject, nor Is it seen by the
.ussian diplomats how 1t is possible
)r the government to make a prompt
nswer to the British demands. 1t is
OF known when the vladivostok
luadron will return to port. The
commander Of the squadron, it is
ointed out, unquestionably seized the
apers Of the vessel, including her
lanifest and therefore will be able to
now why he sank the ship, and with
nose reasons in their possession the
.ussian authorities will be able to
omp1ete their anwer to the British
presentations. ... ....r
Did Vessel Garry Contraband?
In the opinion Of these diplomats,
lie cargo, or at least a portion of the
lrgo of the Knight Commander, in
Iuded contraband Of war under the
s.tussian declaration. The bridgework
the cargo Is said to have been des-
ned for the Fusan-Seoul railroad
'hich the Japanese are building for
Military purposes. The Russian dec
Lratlon also announced that rice and
INT at the enemys cost or order. At.
,ntion Is specifically called to the
sature of the declaration saying:
Neutral ships with contraband of wa
any sort can, according to circum
ances, be not only seized, but also con
seated.
If the ship can be confiscated, as
ontended, she can be sunk as we'll.
The British are persistent in their
esire to induce the United States tt
lake a declaration in respect to the
olicy she purposes to pursue in the
latter of the protection of commerce
ut nothing has yet been done.