The following appeared in the papers dated St Petersburg, August 11th,
1907:

"A telegram from Sochi, in the Caucasus, states that last night the
steamer _Tchernomor_, while on a trip from Tchubgia to Tuapse on the
Black Sea, was plundered on the high seas by robbers, who forced the
passengers to deliver up their money and valuables. One passenger was
wounded by a revolver shot. The robbers, who numbered 15, took
possession of the ship's safe and forced the captain to stop the ship
and to land them. They further ordered him not to stop at Tuapse, but
to proceed direct to Sochi, threatening him with murder if he
disobeyed.

"A later telegram from Sochi states that the passengers were robbed of
10,000 roubles (L1,000), and that 1,700 roubles (L170) were stolen from
the ship's safe."

SECTION VI

21. _The Case of the Trent._

On Nov. 8th, 1861, during the American Civil War, the Federal cruiser
_San Jacinto_ stopped the British mail steam _Trent_ on her voyage from
Havana to the British port of Nassau in the Bahamas, forcibly took off
Messrs. Mason and Slidell, political agents sent by the Confederate
States to Great Britain and France, together with their secretaries,
and then allowed the vessel to continue her voyage.

22. _A Double Murderer._

In 1885 James Smith, an English subject, commits a murder in London,
but succeeds in escaping. In 1886 he appears in Rome under the name of
Edward Fox, and commits a murder there also. He is tried in Rome and
condemned to penal servitude for life. In 1906, after having served 20
years and exhibited exemplary conduct, his sentence is remitted by the
King of Italy. His real identity having been established during the
trial, on his release the question of the possibility of his
extradition for the previous murder is discussed in the English press.

23. _A Masterful Customs Official._

On Dec. 24th, 1907, the following appeared in the morning papers, dated
Winnipeg, Dec. 23rd:

"An American Customs official, suspecting two Canadian farmers of
smuggling barley, surprised them near the boundary, and, threatening
them with a revolver, compelled them to cross into American territory.
The official had no warrant, and the farmers returned into Canada. The
matter has been laid before the British Ambassador in Washington and
the Canadian Government. Ten thousand dollars damages are claimed."

24. _Russian Refugees and Foreign Asylum._

The following appeared in