The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-21
DEMANDS RELEASE
OF THE MALACCA

LONDON. July 1.-THE announcement
that Great Britain has protested against
the seizure OF the MalaCCa and demand
ed her release has caused Ihe greatest
satisfaction throughout tine country.
Indeed. il may be said that any less
prompt or less decided measure on the
part OF the government would have been
met with an cutburst of popular indig-
nation and anger.
Ii is confidently hoped and I'm some
quarters It is unhesitatingly taken for
granted that the demand for the release
of the steamer will be complied with
without unreasonable delay. In any
case. the idea that the government
would allow Russia 10 keep possession
OF the liner and take her under the
Russian flag past Gibraltar and through
the Straits Of Dover TO the Baltic Is
mthinkable to the British people.
ANY such action would be treated by
the nation as a betrayal of responsibility
and would inevitably produce such an
outburst of wrath as would sweep the
government out of office.
Stronger Measures If Necessary.
The press is unanimous in declaring
that If the release of the steamer IL
not conceded in response TO the protest
stronger measures must be taken.
There is considerable restraint in the
comments of the most reputable papers.
with an expression OF a desire not TO
aggravate the situation.
Great Britain. of all nations. can the
least afford 10 deny belhgerents right
of search. but the circumstances at
tending the seizure of the Malacca are
regarded as being so irregular ana I'M
warrantable as 70 exclude any middle
course I'm dealing with the case.
II is unnecessary TO accept al the
lumGrs printed concerning the seizure,
such as the stories of tearing down
the fag after il was nailed TO the mast.
and the threatened arrest OF Captain
Street which are not confirmed. They
are not needed TO establish the piratical
or semi-piratical behavior of the Rus
SLAMS.
British WaTship Movements.
The British government has not given
out any information of the movements
OF the Mediterranean fleet, ordered TO
the Levant, but authentic press dis
patches confirm the report OF its de-
parture from Malta.
1t is again stated that the cruiser Ter
rible and one or two smaller vessels
will be detailed TO watch shipping IN the
Red Sea. Il Is added that parts OF the
Mediterranean fleet will have their tenn
porary headquarters at Alexandria and
Port Said, respectively. II is rumOred
that part of the feet VIII be sent 10 the
neighborhOod Of the Dardaneles-
England's Attitude Supported.
Opinion I'm the capitals of Europe sup
ports the British attitude with remark
able unanimity. This Is most striking
in the case Of popular opinion in Ger
many. which is considerably irritated by
the seizure Of the German steamer
Prinz Heinrichs mails. and where there
is no objection 10 seeing Great Britain
draw the chestnuts out Of the fire in be-
half of German commerce
Needless 10 say. the Kaiser's govern
ment which has reasons OF its own Tor
conciliating Russia. does not display the
least intention of translating these popu-
lar sympathies into diplomatic action.
Indeed. il seeks through the official
press TO inculcate the nation with the
wisdom of observing quiet reserve in
regard 10 events I'm the Red Sea, but II
is generally stated that Chancellor Won
Buelow Is nevertheless alive TO the grav-
fly OF the situation and is watching IL
with the closest attention