The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-02-08

owing to her recent experiences in South Africa and possible Russian complications in India. Moreover. as 1t was pointed out by a leading diplomat ist tonight. is Great Britain became embroiled she would be compelled to hold the largest portion of the British fee- at home in order to prevent her ports From being blockaded and her food supplies stopped by France, whose participation would naturally follow Great Britain's aiding Japan. Further more the recent Franco-British arbitra- ton treaty has been productive of strong sentiment of amity between the two nations. and this is thought to counterac. much of the former senti-
 ment favorable to Russia. Besides being written in the treaty, M. Delcasse, Lord
 Lansdowne and others of the highest influence in British and French official life have lately emphasized this resto- ration of friendly relations, and there is reason to believe that these ex-
 changes have resulted in a pretty defi-
 nite understanding that under no cir
 cumstances will either France or Great
 Britain be drawn into the Russo-Japan-
 csc conflict.
 That the United States might possi- ply be the second power to attack Rus sia thus necessitating French action is regarded as an extremely remote possi- bility, and practically impossible, and furthermore the cordiality between France and the United States is consid- cred powerful offset to any French sentiment toward Russia.
 Finally, one of the best posted au thorities said tonight that notwith- standing any alliances the French par liament would never authorize war in connection with the present dispute. This authority pointed out that after the coup d'etat of Napoleon III., by precipitating the Franco German war without consulting the legislative branch. France adopted the salutary principle of the American constitution, which makes parliament the sole body capable of declaring war. At the pres- ent time the French parliament is strongly made up of socialists, and one of their cardinal principles is disarma- ment, arbitration and the avoidance of warfare This element holds the bal ance of power in the French parlia- ment. and it stands, therefore, as a
 definite assurance against parlia-
 mentary declaration of war.
 Possible the best outward evidence that France has no expectation of be-
 coming involved in the far east is the
 fact that only one French warship has been sent out there and that not sim
 gle additional soldier has been ordered to the extra orient.
 Outside of the action of France great interest centres in the courses of the other powers towards the belligerents.
 The Associated Press has been inform ed by the highest German authorty in France that Germany will maintain an attitude of neutrality. Although her sympathies lean toward Russia, she has no intention of aiding Russia ma terially, for she believes that Russia will be victorious. As Germany's in-i terests are not menaced she will siml' ply be spectator; but, if anything
 should be done which Germany might consider as affecting her, then she. would be prepared to act
 It is said that Germany has no in-
 tention of seizing Shan-Tung, and 1t is
 declared to be ridiculous to suppose
 that she proposes to occupy any points
 in Denmark
 Austria, it is believed, will follow the
 course of Germany because of the triple
 alliance mad from her neighborly inter-
 ests with Russia, particularly in the
 Balkans.
 Italy is expected to maintain prac-
 tically the same position as her asso-
 ciates in the triple alliance, although
 since the agitation resulting in the
 czar's caneelling his trip to Rome,
 there has been notable lack of Italian
 enthusiasm Cor Russia.
 The Balkans are considered the dam
 ger spot of Europe. As a result of the
 preoccupation of Russia in the far east it is known here that she has been careful to drawn upon the troops in European Russia to any large extent
 -