Of these topics, the two last mentioned are probably the most important, and on each of these I will ask you to allow me to say a few words.
1.

There is no doubt that by the Russian regulations of 1895, Art.

21; and instructions of 1901, Art.

40, officers are empowered to destroy their prizes at sea, no distinction being drawn between neutral and enemy property, under such exceptional circumstances as the bad condition or small value of the prize, risk of recapture, distance from a Russian port, danger to the Imperial cruiser or to the success of her operations.

The instructions of 1901, it may be added, explain that an officer "incurs no responsibility whatever" for so acting if the captured vessel is really liable to confiscation and the special circumstances imperatively demand her destruction.