Last Night's Cables.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7827, 20 August 1904, Page 5

Last Night's Cables.

International Policy.

The Contraband Problem.

Protests from Britain and

America.

British steamer Fired at.

Indignation of the Home Press.

Peremptory Demand for a Cessation ot Such Practices.

The Disabled Russian Cruiser

and Destroyer

Both Vessels Unseaworthy.

Severe Damage to their Boilers

{Received Last Night, at 10.38 p.m.) London, Yesterday.

Britain and America are acting on parallel lines, though independently of one another. In their Notes presented to Russia they emphatically contend that it must be proved that foodstuffs are intended for the belligerents' naval or military forces betore they can be considered contraband. OJier points of the protest, as cabled from Colonel Hay's circular on July 10, are tully embodied in the Note presented to Russia by the American Ambassador at St. Petersburg.

The Note presented by the British Ambassador reiterates the view embodied in tlic King's speech.

Reuters Agency reports that it is understood that Russia will recognise the validity of the British-American view differentiating between conditional and absolute contraband, but the specific cases of seizure of vessels' cargo nave been reserved for further consideration.

Ttie British steamer Scotia disregarding two blank shots, the Russian cruiser Ural fired a shell, which passed within oft of her funnel. Captain Stuart entered a protest at Ajaccio, declaring that her small tonnage ought to have placed the Scotia above sus picion

The Standard s-iys: " This sort of thing must be stopped. Not compensation in the future, but protection hero and now is what shippers and shipowners expect. It a dozen Russian Alabamas are allowed their course for only a few weeks, they may strike a blow at our trade which will not in the least be mitigated by a heavy payment out of the Russian treasury two or three years hence. Unless the search 13 exercised reasonably, aud with a minimuiii of annoyance, it may be necessary to instruct tho British warships to intervene whenever there is a question of seizing British property. The terms of their parole oblige the Russians to remain at Kaiochau throughout the war. The Japanese Consul-General has notified the Taotai at Shanghai that the Japanese fleet are coming to seiza the Askold and Grosovoi unless they are disarmed or expelled. Admiral Vitzenstein, in bis account of the battle of tho 10th, states that the Askold's boilers were seriously damaged. Admiral Alexicff reported that the Grosovoi's boilers and funnels suffered badly. The Customs engineer reports that both the vessels are unseaworthy. The Grosovoi can be repaired in ten days, but it is uncertain when the Askold could be ready to leave the port. The Japanese Legation at Pi'kin predicts an amicable settlement of the matter as far as China and Japan arc concerned. It is stated at Tolrio that as Shanghai is an international port, unless the vessels arc disarmed, the Japanese squadron will simply wait at the mouth ot the Yangtze and prevent the vessels' escape. The Rossia and Gromoboi have arrived at Yladivosiock.