The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1905-06-16
THE PRESIDENTS DECISION
AS to the Interned Russian
Vessels.
AUDACITY OF BEEF TRUST.
Defalcation in Smithsonian In
stitution Unveiled.
WEEKLY LETTER FROM WASHINGTON

WEEKLY LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
1t is entirely characteristic of the
President that, much as he desired to
bring about peace between Russia
and Japan his wishes in that direc-
,ion did not deter him from render
ing decision on the international
law governing the conduct of neutrals
which must have proved unwelcome
tn Russia, as unwelcome there as it
was grateful to the rest Of the world,
This decision was to the effect that
the three Russian cruisers which
sought refuge in the harbor Of Manila
must not remain there long enough
to repair the damages Incurred in
battle. The President held that
make, in Il neutral port, repairs
necessitated by stress of weather or
by accident, those incurred IN battle
must be excepted.
Russia's determination to disregard
the views of the United State; and
Great britain, with regard to contra
hand OF war, makes the decision of
The President in this instance parti-
cularly grateful to those engaged in
commerce on the high seas for it
pointed out that 1t would be
folly for these thNe Russian cruisers
10 attack any japanese naval feet
and il permitted to make such re-
pairs as would render them seaworthy
their only mission must necessarily
De to prey upon commerce, chiefly
chat OF neutrals, with the hope of
unding contraband of war on board.
/, will be recalled that Russia's high
handed methods with the commerce
o. neutrals has already strained her
relations with Great Britain and
oc,asioned diplomatic negotiations
" III this country. In the case Of
tie knight Commander, for instance,
tl.e Russians sank a British ship con-
tanning flour. the property of Ameri-
cans and consigned to firm in Hong
Kong, on the specious plea that even
alis -four might have found dts way
INTO the hands Of the Japanese COM
nlissary officers. This question of
the proper deanition of. contra band
a' war, by the way, is one of the
most important problems which will,
is hoped, be settled when the
$ague Conference is once more recon-
Yrned.
The audacit, Of the Beef Trust in
sending cmissaries to Washington TO
lead with the President against the
charactcr Of the methods employed
~ federal officials in their efforts to
nroye that the Trust is violating the
nti-trust law is source of amaze
rient to the officials Of the Depart
.rcnt of Justice. 1t is well known
nat the trust will, itself. stop at
othiug in Its efforts to drive COM
.etitor out of business or to RUN an
Independent packer who attempts to
.,ay the stock raiser or farmer high
.r price for his stock than has been
lictated by the trust. And YET,
yhen the Government attempts to
secure legal proof Of these practices
Trust virtually exclaims that its
methods are dsgracefully unfair,
hat "at least the women stenograph-
ars and the wives of officials ought
not to be summoned" in prosecu-
tion which involves the vital inter
csts Of every man, woman and child
old enough to eat meat IN the coun-
try. The officials Of the Department
OF Justice are confident, however,
that the politicians who appeal IT,
the President III behalf of the Trust
will receive told comfort
4 defalcatic n has occurred in one of
tie federal Institutions in Washing
ton which has not only created a
sensation in itself but which may
lead to revelations Of an even more
SENSATIONAL, If less fragrant, character
WILLIAM w. karr, accountant Of The
SmithsJnion Institution, has been
arrested dli the charge of embezzie-
rhtnt aiid has confessed to a shortage
b Ills accounts Of upwards Of SIG, 600