New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-27
POWERS URGED TO act.
British Proposals Not Yet Needed
Conferences at London

London, July 26-While proposing to act her
self in behalf of vessels flying her own flag,
Great Britain holds that 1t is time that all
neutrals should take some steps to protect
neutral vessels and neutral goods. The ex-
changes of communications which have been
going on in this connection have. however. not
yet borne fruit 1t is known that the United
States is sufficiently interested in the fate Of
the Knight Commander to make inquiries con-
corning her. but far the British govern
ment is informed no action has yet been taken
by the State Department at Washington.
A Russian diplomat said to-day that it would
be unwise for the people of the United States
or Great Britain to Jump TO the conclusion that
an act Of wanton destruction had been com
rnitted by the commander OF the Vladivostok
squadron. He could not spare the time to sep
arate contraband from neutral goods and dump
the former overheard. Circumstances compelled
him TO sink the ship. in order to prevent her
from carrying supplies to the Japanese govern
ment. If the knight Commander had neutral
goods on board their owners would certainly be
compensated.
The sinking of the knight Commander by
Russian cruisers off Japan was fully discussed
at meeting Of the Cabinet to-day, held at the
Foreign Office.
Before the meeting Count Benckendorff the
eign Secretary, Lord Lansdowne. and discussed
in detail the operations of the Russian cruisers
in connection with neutral shipping. but as the
Russian Embassy had not been officially in
formed by the Russian government OF the de-
struction OF the Knight Commander. the Am
bassador was unable to make any statement 10
the Foreign Secretary
1t is known that Count Benckendorf has made
1t clear TO Lord Lansdowne that in this any
other incident of similar character If wrong is
done by Russian ships the Russian government
will make due reparation.
The Premier, Mr.. Balfour replying to ques-
ton in the House of Commons to-day in regard
TO the sinking OF the knight Commander. said
inquiries We're being made on the subject but
he was not yet in a position 10 make state
ment.
Replying to another question. the Premier said
the government not aware of any conven-
ton concluded in 1901 between Turkey and Rus
sia, providing special conditions for the passage
Of the Dardanelles by special Russian ships
Mr. Balfour. saying that he was not giving
an authoritative decision, added that he be-
lieved that the Declaration OF Paris In 1856 con-
templated the abolition of privateerng, and that
II asserted that a neutral flag covers an enemy's
merchandise. except when contraband OF war
Dealing with the question Of whether the Rus
sian volunteer vessels, being private ships COM
missioned by the State were different materially
from privateers. the Premier said that the whole
question of the status of the volunteer ships was
now under discussion between Great Britain
and Russia, and that Il would not be desira bic
10 discuss that point in the House of Commons
at present.
Regarding the suggestion that. in view OF
Russia's reservations at Paris In respect to pri-
watering and her recent commissioning of the
volunteer ships. the British government would
consider the propriety Of denouncin, the Dec
laration OF Paris and Of reserving the right tc
capture in wartime enemys property car
! ried under q neutral flag, Mr.. Balfour said he
could not hold out any hope that Great Britain
was going TO make recent occurrences the ooce.
sion of any remonstrance TO other powers upon
| that broader subject