The sun., 1901-04-07
FRANCE WARNED RUSSIA.
Advice OF an Ally That Claims on China We're
Extreme
Special Gable De,pGteh 10 THE SUN.

Special Gable Ds'pGteh 10 THE sun.
LONDON, April 8 1t Is not a cheerful Easter
season anywhere in Europe Political ques-
tions which have disturbed the serenity Of
nations so long that they have become utterly
detested by the common people still pre-
vent the normal development Of individual
and national interests War over Far Eastern
affairs does not seem quite so Imminent now
as 1t did few days ago, and for the moment
attention Is particularly devoted to changes
in political and commercial relationships
which are threatened by the approaching
expiration OF tho Triple Alliance treaties.
II may be taken for granted. despite denials
on all sides. that Italy will not only refuse
to submit TO the deprivation OF her COM
mercial privileges threatened by Austria.
but will insist on bearing much easier share
OF the burdens that are imposed on her under
the present agreement before she consents
to a renewal OF the Triple Alliance Her
ostentatious friendllness for France. which
will be extravaganuy demonstrated at Toulon
next week. IL not a mere bluT; It requires
no gift OF prophecy to say that her relations
with France will hereafter not only be closer
commerc tally but politically as well
The Papal influence. which has been exer-
cised to prevent this. has failed Indeed
the recent collapse OF the political influence
OF the Roman Church In France, as was
instanced by the passage OF the Rcli gious
Association hill by the Chamber OF Deputies
without serious public protests. Is one of the
most important and interesting signs Of the
times
There ara Indications also that France
has been exercising restraining influence
for the past two or thrco weeks on her power
ful ally, Russia The French Government
became uneasy lest tho Ministers Of the Gear
should involve the dual alliance In a danger
ous crisis from which it would be unable
70 escape without war Warning was sent
70 ST Petersburg TO the effect that the Cars
Government was deceived II It thought
II could carry ont any designs on China or
Corea by relying upon the unchan geable
supiness Of Great Britain The French
Foreign Office learned and the information
certainly was authentic. that Japan. with the
knowledge and tadt consent Of Great Britain,
would proceed 10 make war II Russia per
sisted In her extreme claims
Baron Hlyashi, the japanese Minister
to Great Britain, told The SUS rrespond-
ont to-day that It was not true that Japan
notified China that the Government OF ths
Mikado would support her In resisting Rus
sia's demands II was not necessary, he said
to proceed TO that drastic extremity In order
10 convince Russia that the protests against
her duplicty and gh-hnndedness were
something more than a blur II was upon
the rcn,onstrsnces Of the Czar's allv and tho
conviction that she had really over,tcpp.d
the limits OF endurance that led Russia az last
to withdraw temporarily her demands The
manner in which Russia II now ma king A
virture Of necessity. as IN her Assurances
to the American Government yesterday.
ia regarded In most European chanccllores
as one Of those rare incidents OF diplomacy
which provoke smile