THE VOLUNTEER CRUISERS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 10137, 25 August 1904, Page 3

THE VOLUNTEER CRUISERS.

BRITISH PRESS VIGOROUSLY PROTEST AGAINST SMOLENSK OUTRAGE.

(Received August 25, ,7.47 a.m.) . LONDON, August 24. Tlie Standard and Daily Telegraph, referring to the Comedian incident, emphasise- tliat a new and grave aspect of the question lias arisen. The Times declares that the Hipsang outrage Mas one m a series of outrages. The latter journal is slow to believe tliere has been a, deliberate breach of pledge, but says that if Russia has ostentatiously defied the explicit warnings of oiir view of the Smolensk's status, then tlie nation will ask whether or not it is time for our navy to protest, and' if necessary to vindicate the rights of British shipping. It is absolutely essential, m the interests of peace, that Russia should! be made to understand on tliis subject that neither the Government nor the people will tolerate further equivocation. [The Smolensk was one of the so-called volunteer fleet Avhich emerged from, the Black Sea through the Dardanelles, and commenced to harass British shipping m the Mediterranean and Red Sea. Upon xect-ipt of British protests, the Russian (Government undertook that the volunteer cruisers would not again be used for .search.] (Received August 25, 7.47 a.m.) The Daily Telegraph's St." Petersburg correspondent says tliat tlie Russian press is jubilant tliat the Smolensk overhauled the Comedian. The vexatious conduct is belauded as heroic prowess, and is hailed with satisfaction. The correspondent says it is certain that verbal notes, however energetic and courteous, are utterly ineffective. Enlightened Russians admit tliat the Smolensk incident was au unfriendly act, running counter to Count Lamsdorff's vaguely-worded promises, andl calculated' to provoke- serious measures 'on the part of Great Britain, the least -unfriendly whereof would be to escort- merchantmen on the high seas and protect them from the caprice of Russian officers. He adds : -My exliaustive enquiries at tlie Foreign Office enable me to affirm that Russia is far from accepting the conditions set lorth m Count Lamsdorff's note, presented on tlbe 16th. The Government has not replied, and will not take official ■notice. It would* be a pure waste of words to continue to protest, because statesmanlike action cannot be expected' while tlie naval and! military authorities predominate, which is among the influences answerable for deliberate provocation on the ocean, remains unchanged." Great Britain has addressed to Count Lamsdorff representations regarding' the Comedian, but the rulers at St. Petersburg imagine that Britain is desirous of a. convention with Russia, and they recoil from energetic action. The St. Petersburg paper, tlie Noyoe Vremya, says tliat Malta & proclamation constitutes an act of hostility, since on no occasion would Japan suffer from its eff-ict.