The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-19
The LION ROARS.
Great Britain Is Greatly Agi-
tated by Russia's Action
In Selling Her Merchantmen in
the Red Sea.
CABINET IN SESSION.
For Purpose of Mapping Out a
Course of Action.
Situation Causes a Heavy De-
cline on Stock Exchange.

London, July 19.-In British ofnclal
circles the recent seizures and over
hauling of British ships in the Red
sea by the Russian volunteer fleet
steamers Smolensk and st. Petersburg
are regarded as very grave interna-
tional incidents The seizure of the
Peninsular and Oriental steamer Ma
1acca by the st. Petersburg and her
arrival in the Suez canal as a prize of
war on her way to Libau, on the Bal
tic. has come as climax and the cab
met today is considering the course
to pursue The British law offices
acknowledge the right of the Rus
slams to seize and detain mails, pro-
vided that only official communica-
tions are taken, but they take the
most serious view of the status of the
two Russian ships patrolling the Red
sea, and if any official action or pro-
test ensues it will be chiefly in regard
to the passage of the erstwhile mer-
chant ships and their subsequent
transformation into ships of war.
In official circles strong comment is
made in regard to Russia's policy in
this matter. 1t is regarded as impos-
sible that the commanders of the
Smolensk and st. Petersburg were
given full power, and the officials
3
conclusion that the Russian govern
ment gave implicit instructions to
their commanders. The effect on the
stock exchange today was seen in
heavy fall in consols and other gilt
edged securities on fears of interna
tional complications. The dangers
and difficulties of the situation are
much commented upon in the news
papers, which are practically unani-
nous in denouncing the dubious and
irregular character of the volunteer
fleet vessels.
IF their actions are proved, as we
ers,'' said the St. James Gazette, ''they
must be recalled by Russia or the
skull and cross-bones must be run up
and they will be fired upon whenever
sighted.
Another element adding to the dan
gers of the situation is the attitude
Japan may assume. The Pail Mall
Gazette points out that if as stated in
Russian guardship Chernomoretz
traversed the straits fully armed, 'it
would seem to justify Japan in re-
garding Turkey as an ally of Russia
and invoking the terms of the Anglo
Japanese treaty"
A Denial From Berlin.
Berlin, July 19.-The foreign office
denies the report circulated by a
news agency in the United States that
Great Britain has informed Germany
that she is sending squadron to
check Russian irregularities in the
Red sea.
Russia has not yet answered the
German protest against the seizure of
the mails of the Prince Heinrich by
the Smolensk. but the foreign Office
confidently expects a disavowal of the
action of the commander of the Smo-
lensk.
No Truth in 1t.
London, July 19, 5:19 p. m.-The
foreign Office this afternoon author
lied the statement that there is abso-
lutely no truth in the story circulated
in the United States by news agency
that Great Britain had informed Ger
many of the dispatch of British fleet |
to Alexandria with the intention of |
checking Russian. illegalities in the |
Red sea.
The foreign office also says there is |
no foundation for the belief expressed |
in the dispatch from Malta to the |
Daily Express of London this morning |
hat the British Mediterranean squad |
ron's departure from Malta might be |
with the presence of the |
Russian volunteer fleet vessels in the |
Red sea. 1t was added at the foreign |
office that the movements of the Brit |
sh Mediterranean squadron are in no
way Influenced by the recent incidents
n the Red sea.