The British steamer Comedian ' was stopped on Sunday last
off the South African coast between East London and Durban by a Russian cruiser which was supposed to be the Smolensk.' After examination of her papers, she was allowed to proceed. The incident has naturally aroused considerable excitement, which to some extent was allayed by Mr. Balfour's announcement on Thursday to the deputation from the London Chamber of Commerce. He believes the cruiser to be the Smolensk,' and announced that Russia was ignorant of its doings, the orders cancelling its instructions having apparently not reached it. Russia had requested the British Government to convey a message to it, and the work had been entrusted to two cruisers from the Cape station. This disposes of one question ; on the larger problem raised by the deputation Mr. Balfour took up a firm position. He doubted the alleged differential treat- ment of British shipping; but, if proved, he admitted that it must be treated as a serious breach of international amity. From the position on the question of contraband assumed by Lord Lansdowne he declared that " there was no possibility of the Government receding."
