New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-04
A GRUDGING CONCESSION.
Russia T'empori@es IN BIack Sea
Case-WOre Trouble Feared.

London Aug 3-In order to avoid coTnplica-
tons which might have the effect OF extending
the area Of war Russia has made partial con
! cession to Great Britain in connection win the
| Dardanelles question.
! Replying to British representations regarding
the closing of the Dardanelles to vessels OF the
! volunteer feet intended for warlike uses. Count
| Benckendorh the Russian Ambassador to Great
| Britain it is learned has advised the Foreign
| Secretary, Lord Lansdowne, that his govern
ment consents to waive the right to send shlps
through the straits during the present war, Dur
at the same time Russia makes no concession IN
relation to the general principle involved. and
reserves to herself the right to take such ac-
ton as she deems proper when the war with
Japan ends.
The British government would like complete
settlement of the principle but Russia does not
intend to negotiate this subject, If avoidable,
while the war is in progress.
Beyond a preliminary communication from
Count Benckendorf TO the effect that Russia
will make a response to the British protest
against the sinking of the British steamer
Knight Commander by the Vladivostok squad
ron when the report Of Admiral Jeszen reaches
St. Petersburg the Foreign Office expects
full answer this week. Information received by
the authorities here inclines to the belief that
Russia will uphold the propriety of the pro-
cedure and the case is regarded involving
possibilities of a serious dispute unless Conces-
Sims are made on both sides. 1t is pointed cut
as fortunate in the interest of harmonious re-
lations between the two governments that Par
lament will probably adjourn on August II.
In the mean time. Lord Lansdowne viii seek
to bring the question to satisfactory conclu-
sion in the hope of being able TO report settle
meut 70 Parliament before the session closes.
His use of the word outrage" in his speech in
oPT rdr ha nj
nander aroused considerable feeling in Russian
diplomats circles. where it IS insisted he should
have waited for the full facts These facts.
viii he shown in the report Of Jeszen. it Is con-
tended by the Russians. viii establish that the
knight Commander was carrying contraband OF
war, the rails on board of her being intended
for the Corean and LAao-Tung railroads. and
that under his instructions Admiral Jeszen vas
justified in destroying her
St. Petersburg Aug 3-Russs has not
ceived any further protest from Great Britain
against the inclusion Of foodstuffs in the list Of
contraband Of war The statement of Earl
Percy in the House of Commons on Monday re-
garding instructions to Sir Charles Hardinge
probably referred 10 the protest presented by the
ambassador month ago.
The Russian government has not yet made
any further reply in the case Of the British
steamer Knight Commander. All precedents
bearing on the destruction of neutral vessels
carrying ccntraband when 1t is impossible 10
have them taken before a prize court are being
examined. Il is believed that Great Britain is
insisting on assurances that there will be no
renetition OF such incidents IN advance Of the
judicial determination. and that il these assur-
arces are not given she VIII offer 70 refer the
case 10 the Hague Tribunal