Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-02-15

OF q lengthy cable message from lohi'
defining Japan's attitude toward the
neutrality OF China.
1t says China should observe strict
neutrality and also lays down the fol-
lowing principles;
"First-The belligerents are morally
bound to reduce to a minimum the area
Of war. TO this end the war opera
tions should be geographically limited.
''Second--The number of belll2ereht
powers should be reduced as much as
possible and the war should be con-
fined to Japan and Russia in order TO
prevent Il general cOnfiagration.
"Third-It is of the utmost import
ance that order be preserved through
out the interior of China ana AT the
treaty ports. There Japan has in
structed her minister at Pekin to urge
upon Prince Ching that China should
scrupulOusly observe neutrality. mann
tain order and refrain from furnishing
supplies to the belligerents. emma
should also keep sufficient garrisons at
ShanhaikWan and other strategic
points to prevent a breach of neutral
i,y and see that all territory except
Manchuria is free from war operations.
"Cnder the foregoing conditions
Japan will respect China's neutrality
One of the most notable features of
the first week of the war has been the
steady increase of sentiment here ia
vorable to giving Russia every possible
moral and sympathetic support.
AT the outset the French officials and
public generally maintained that the
interests of France demanded that she
keep clear of the possibility Of any war
entanglements growing out of the
Franco Russian alliance.
This led some newspapers to assert
that France was placing sclf-interest
before duty. and deserving her best
friend in the hour of greatest need. A
gradual reaction has occurred until,
today. official and public feeling runs
strongly in favor of strengthening Rus
sia in every way short of actual par
ticipaton in the war.
1t was thought that the large Drey-
fuS element would antagoniZe Russia.
owing to the latter'S attitude toward
the Jews: but on the contrary. Joseph
Reinach, the friend and biograDher of
Dreyfus, has published letter declar-
ing the honor and interest of France
command her to affirm her sympathy
for Russia and to loyalty hold up the
alliance.
However, French feeling. which is
usually denonetiyItive, has not shown
any wild enthusiasm in behalf of Rus
STA. This is in rather marked contrast
with the uprolriouS manifestations
at the time Of the Cars visit to Paris
and other recent events. Two popular
subscriptions have been opened for the
wounded. one by the Russo-Chinese
Bank and the other by French news
papermen.
The Russian ambassador. NJ. Neli-
dOf. heads the former with n subscrip-
ton of 500. Many indivuaIs are show
ing personal sympathy and are offering
their services. The Russian embassy
receives about 100 offers daily.
Much interest is manifested here in
the parts Prince Louis Napoleon and
Prince Jaime de Bourbon are taking in
the military service of Russia.
The reports that the former who is
an officer of high rank in the Russian
cavalry. who was in France recently 70
attend the obsequics of Princess Ma
tnllue. anu " no lttL IulIItulN iof -.
Petersburg at the outbreak OF the war,
is to he given command of the entire
cavalry force operating III Manchuria.
are said to be we'll founded.
Prince jaime. who is an officer of
Russian volunteers under the governor
general of Russian Poland. wrote on
the outbreak of the war. requesting an
assignment to the first detachment Of
volunteers to be sent to the theatre of
operations, and he has since tele-
sraphed an earnest request to be as
signed to Immediate duty at the front.
Both men are of the NapOleonic tyne
which Il large French element devot
edly admireS.
1t is not intended by the French gov
eminent for the present to issue a for
nal proclamation of neutrality similar
to that of the United States and Great
Britain.
The officials here say usage does not
require such proclamation, and it is
held that the neutral course of the
government has been sufficiently de-
fined by the instructions sent to the
French foreign. colonial and marine
ministers. representatives abroad.
II IL SptclllCdilS asserted tnat the aD-
sence of a proclamation has not the
slightest significance as indicating Il
desire To avoid exciting Russian sus-
capabilities. 1t is merely in compli-
ance with French custom regarding
| the observance of neutrality.
Germany's reported efforts to create
feeling between Russia and France are
| attracting the serious attention of the
| French officials, who do not hesitate
to express the belief that Germany will
seek to make the most of the present
| opportunity to strengthen her position
with Russia and weaken that of France.
| There is the fullest confidence. how
ever. that this will not succeed and
that the Franco Russien alliance viii,
remain mistaken.
Strong hopes We're expressed Satur-
day. in official quarters, that sentiment
in Great Britain and the United States
| would not sympathize with the aims
of Germany to disrupt the existing
understanding.