Britain and Russia.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXV, Issue 4697, 13 August 1904, Page 2

Britain and Russia.

Statement by Lord Lansdownt. [United Press AssociationJ. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. ] LONDON. August 11 Lord Lansdowne, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, replying to the Marquis 0 | Ripon, said that Russia has undertaken that vessels of the Volunteer Fleet shall fly, during the whole of their voyage, the I commercial flag, and will not carry muni. I tions or armaments, or change into cruisers. Great Britain has firmly p ro . I tested against Russia’s including proI visions among the articles of uncondj. I tional contraband. Lord Lansdowne emphasised the very I serious innovations, and added: “W| I are bound to reserve our rights, and pra tested forthwith against the doctrim I that belligerents are entitled to decidi I that certain articles or classes of article I are contraband, regardless of the wellI established rights of protest of neutnl I Powers.” He declared that Grw I Britain was not bound to recognise tin I decisions of a prize court which were ii

violation of those rights, or at variance with the recognised principles of international law. The Knight Commander case, he said, awaited trial before the Appellate Prize Court at St. Petersburg but whether the Vladivostock deciiioi was reversed or upheld Great Britain would be unable to admit that the sink, ing was justifiable. Lord Lansdowne next dwelt on th

untenable Russian claim to sink neutn prizes without trial, and the absurdity the idea that they were entitled to sin vessels, at any imaginable distance fra their base, owing to the lack of coal i their inability to supply sufficient hand to navigate prizes. He believed tin both Governments would welcome an out of the difficulty. Great Britain b earnestly protested to the Russian Gta ernment that their conduct in the oaf j ter of preventing the supply of conta band to belligerents had gone far beys what was justifiable. He was glad I be able to add that Russia’s justified the hope that the destruction neutral prizes would not be repeat

(Cheers). He hoped the discussion i the question of contraband would leaf an amicable understanding. (Received 9.30 a.m.) LONDON. Aug. 11 In reply to Mr Bryce and Sir Char Dilke, who declared Lord Lansdoi

statement, cabled on the 29th, had jeived the universal assent of the co try. Mr Balfour stated that Britain, aides protesting in the strongest* igainst the inclution of food in the of contraband, reserved the right made representation on other article

The difficulties with neutrals was li ly to outlast any war, owing to officers’ mistakes through overzeal, monstrances would prevent a repetil of them. It is believed that auoh' the* case now.

He added incidentally if a belligen conveyed a ship to a Prize Court found no contraband, it was liabli enormous damages.