The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-04-04
RUSSIAN FLEET Is
ORDERED FROM TOULON
LIE PAROLE, Or PARIS, CALLS IT
A THREAT AND A WARM
ING


TOULON, April 3.7-There is much COM
ment here at a strange and unexpected
order received by the Russian admiral
to leave Toulon with a fleet, in order
to avoid meeting the Italian squadron
here. The Russian fleet which arrived in
these waters to participate in the fetes
attending President Loubet's visit will
probably sail at once. 81
PARIS, April Az The withdrawal of
the Russian squadron at Toulon." saws
lie Parole, lis brutal disayowment Of
our government by an allied nation and n
condemnation of our policy toward Italy.
Moreover, it Is threat and a warning
from the car" s.
The Franco-Italian fetes at Toulon next
week are now the chief topic of interest
in the French press and the subject is
much discussed In political and dfplo-
matte circles. Naturally, the, festivities
will be very brilliant. while it is generally
conceded the occasion will rank as one
of the most complete historic events since
tie F.anco- Russian demonstration at the
anne port. Although there is no question
OF an alliance between the two coun-
tries, yet the meeting of President Lou
bet and the Duke OF Genoa will be an
incident of the first value, because it
will mark the opening of new era OF
God feeling between France and Italy.
France is not seeking an alliance with
Italy, said a French diplomat. who "a
in close touch with the official relations
OF the two countries. 1.-THE Franco
Italian demonstration at Toulon does not
imply an alliance. We have no reason
TO expect that Italy will detach herself
from the triple alliance On the con-
fraJ,X hor,
that she viii renew her connection with
it. great significance in the coming
event lies in the fact that 1t Indicates
that the irritation felt by Italy towards
france, which was aroused by the
French occupation of Tunis, and which
ranking in the minds of Italian states
men, mas done SC much to injure our
mutual relations, is now entirely re-
moved, giving place to a desire for a
better understanding between France and
Italy. We shall now be able to discuss
the questions that are pending between
the two Countries, notably the customs
situation in the Mediterranean. with a
better disposition on both sides, and a
better prospect of a satisfactory under
standing. The commercial convention
concluded last year was an important
factor in bringing about this feeling be-
tween the peoples themselves. A great
Improvement in our mutual trade has
resulted from that convention. Silk
firms in Lyons and other manufactures
i'll the southeast district Of France have
established branches and now maintain
close business relations with Milan and
other towns in Northern Italy CONNER
cial houses in these latter cities have
made iimilar extensions to Lyons and
Other French trade eenters.
AS result there has been rise in
appreciation in Italy of the Importance
OF the French market In Northern Italv
the Germans control certain branches Of
industry, particularly in scientific fnstru-
ments, and have been crowding the Ital-
lans out Of their own markets and has
caused Jealousy of Germany and a re-
turn of good feeling towards France.
Conditions are at present favorable to
Italian trade in Germany and Austria
hungary, but Italy will apparently find
difficulty in getting those countries to
renew such articles in the commercial
conventions as favor the importation OF
Italian products, Before, with view of
widening her commercial and improving
her political status with France Italy
may decline to renew certain clauses re-
lating to her military and naval forces.
Any relief to Italy that will approve her
military and naval position will be ap-
1reciated by the Italians
The meeting of President Loubet and
the Duke of Genoa. together with tho
Franco Italian naval demonstration, must
not be taken as a prelude to the with
draWal Of Italy from the tr sxe alliance.
yet it may herald a noteworthy modifi-
cation of the international system. We
Go not wish for written convention
with Italy. We believe that the estab-
lishment Of thoroughly sympathetic re-
lations between the two peoples will
prove of more worth than any existing
treaties"