Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-25
ing a protectorate, as announced in these
dispatches yesterday.
KEEPING IN CLOSE TOUCH.
Foreign Secretary and French Am
bassador Discuss War Situation.

LONDON, February 25.-Premier Balfour
had sufficiently recovered his health to
come from Brighton to this city today to
preside at a cabinet meeting at noon. Prior
to the meeting the French ambassador,
M. Cambon called at the foreign Office and
had an hours talk with Foreign Secretary
LaDSdowne.
The ambassador returned here from Paris
yesterday evening, and, apart from an ex-
change of views In regard to the most re-
cent developments of the war, on which
subject the two cabinets are keeping in
the closest touch with each other there is
good reason to believe that settlement
of all matters in dispute between France
and Great Britain is on the eve. of being
arranged.
Such questions as Egypt, Morocco, New
foundland. etc, have been fully discussed
by the two governments for some months,
and the differences are being gradually
eliminated until practically nothing re-
mains to prevent an early signature of
treaty removing all outstanding obstacles
to complete accord between the two
powers.
No Designs on Spanish Coast Points.
Premier Balfour, who, on his first appear
ance in the house of commons since his Ill
ness, was greeted with warm cheers, re-
plying to question, confirmed the state
ment made in these dispatches February 70,
that there was no truth in the reports that
Great Britain intended to seize certain
points on the Spanish coast in the event of
continentalswar. He said:
Il am glad to say that the relations be-
tween this country and Spain are and are
likely to remain, of most friendly char
acter"
The premier added that there appeared to
be no truth in the rumor that Spain was
mobilizing her forces, although she was
strengthening some Of her garrisons.
Not Aware Of Negotiations.
LONDON, February 25.-Replying to
question In the house of commons today,
the foreign under secretary. Earl Percy.
said the government was not aware Of any
negotiations between Germany and Russia
whereby, as announced in some newspapers,
in return for Germany affording Russia GER
tain advantages during the war Russia
would support Germany in regard to the
Bagdad railroad question and general ex
tension of German predominance In Asia
Minor.
Disposition of Rescued Russians.
Asked in the house of commons today by
what authority 1t was proposed to detain
at Ceylon the 325 Russian sailors rescued
after the fight off Chempulpo, Premier Bal
four said the sailors had sought refuge on
a British warship. Under the circumstances
and until other arrangements had been
agreed upon the government thought it
would best be fulfilling the obligations of
neutrality by interning the men in British
territory until the close of the war.
The Japanese government, however, had
now intimated that 1t was willing the sail
ors should return to Russia on giving their
parole not to participate further in the
war. The British government was now in
correspondence with Russia, with the view
of settling the question on this basis.
To Patch Up Battle Ships.
ST. PETERSBURG, February 25.-The
battle ships Retvizan and Cesarevitch will
be temporarily employed at Port Arthur as
guardships, in which capacity 1t has been
decided their formidable guns can be util-
lied to good advantage. 1t has been found
that the necessary repairs to these ships
can only be fully made In the dock at Vlad-
ivostok. so the vessels will be temporarily
patched up and remain at Port Arthur until
circumstances will permit Of their being
sent to Vladivostok.
The rumors that the savings bank will
not meet the demands for the repayment of
deposits in consequence Of the war are en-
phatically denied by the Official Messenger.