New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-08
ATTITUDE OF POWERS.
Al Expected To Be Neutral
Frances Position.
~ IN. ,..oc.atea Pr-..N


the governmental policy is forthcoming. al
| though II is expected that II. Delcasse Will
make statement in the Chamber OF deputies
clearly outlining the French position and eX-
planning the action taken by the French govern
rnent. The general line OF French poicy' as
gathered from the most authoritative sources Is
as follows:
France will undoubtedly maintain stIlc IN ne -
/ tralitv and she will endeavor In every way 70
keep free from all possible entangleLleiiIs
| might draw her into hOstilites Inns - p.
narily due to the belief Of French omciais NC I
France has no deep interest involved in the
/ region in dispute Her direct interests IN I'm
/ ouin are too far from the scene OF ac az 10
! make war a matter Of special concern Inc otlly
| cause for French participation would pe IeI
| obligations and sentimental consldersI loilS
under the Franco-Russian alliance
officials have carefully considered just no"
far France Is likely to become involved under
the terms of this alliance. which they say con
| ta!ns two distinct safeguards limiting French
/ participstfon. The first OF these is that Russia
! must be attacked and the second that this at
tack must be by two powers The requirement.
that Russia be attacked has been one OF the
! chief causes for Russia's temporizing, as she
has not wished to sacrifice the chances OF
/ French support officials here, however, nave
/ believed and hoped that Russia would strike
! the first decisive blow, as such action would IN
q measure. relieve France from taking part In
/ profltless war
EXTENT OF FRANCo-RUssIAN BOND.
Concerning the condition in the alliance pro-
/ viding that two powers must attack Russia be
! fore France becomes involved, NJ. Deicasse has
/ distinctly stated to members Of the diplomatic
/ corps that Corea and China would not be con-
! sidered such powers If either Joined Japan
! against Russia Tho only remaining powers
/ likely to assist Japan against Russia are Great
/ Britain and the United States. Regarding
Great Britain the official belief here is that she
/ does not desire 20 be embroiled. owing to her
/ recent experiences in South Africa, and possible
! Russian complications in India Moreover, II
/ Great Britain became embroiled she would be
J compelled to hold the largest part OF the British
feet at home, IN order TO prevent her ports
from being blockaded and her food supplies
stoned by France. whose participation would
naturally follow Great Britain's aiding Japan.
Furthermore the recent Franco British arbi-
tration treaty has been productive OF q strong
sentiment of amity between the two nations.
and this is thought 20 counterfeit much Of the
former sentiment favorable 10 Russia NJ Del
cassA, Lord Lansdowne and others OF the high
est influence in British and French official life
have lately emphasized this restoration OF
friendly relations. and there is reason 10 be-
Ieve that these exchanges have resulted in a
fairly definite understanding that under no cir
cumstances will either France or Great Britain
be drawn into the Russo-Japanese conflict
NO DANGER FROM UNITED STATES.
That the United States might possibly be the
second power attack Russia. thus forcing
French action is regarded an extremely re-
mote possibility, and practically impossible,
and. furthermore, the cordlality between France
and the United States IL considered q powerful
offset 10 any French sentiment toward Russia
one OF the best posted authorities said to-
night that, notwithstanding any alliances. the
French Parliament would never authorize war
in connection with the present dispute. This
/ authority pointed out that after the action OF
Napoleon III. IN precipitating the Franco-Cier-
man war without consulting the legislative
branch. France adopted the salutaTy principle
OF the American Constitution. which makes Par
lament the sole body capable OF declaring war.
AT the present time the French Parliament is
strongly made up Of Socialists. and one Of their
cardinal principles IS disarmament, arbitration
and the avoidance OF warfare. This element
holds the balance OF power IN the French Par
Lament. and It stands. therefore. rs definite
assurance against a parliamentary declaration
of war.
Probably the best outward evidence that
France has no expectation OF becoming involved
in the Far East is the fact that only one French
warship has been sent out there. and that not
single additional soldier has been ordered to the
extreme Orient.
ALL POWERS EXPECTED TO BE NEUTRAL
Outside Of the action Of France. great interest
centres In the courses OF the other powers
toward the belgerents. II is stated by the
highest German authority IN France that Ger
many VIII maintain an attitude OF neutrality.
Although her sympathes lean toward Russia,
she has no intention of aiding Russia materially,
for she believes that Russia Will be victorious.
As Germanys interests are not menaced. she Will
simply be spectator. but II anything should
be done which Germany might consider as af-
fectlng her. she would he prepared to act
Il is said that Germany has intention OF
Selling Shan-Tung, and It is declared 10 be
ridiculous to suppose that she expects 10 occupy
any points in Denmark
Austria, it is believed. VIII follow the course
/ OF Germany, because OF the Triple Alliance. and
! from her neighborly interests with Russia. par
/ t.cularly in the Balkans.
Italy is expected TO maintain practically the
| same position as her associates IN the Triple
Alliance although since the agitation resulting
/ in the Cars cancelling his trip TO Rome there
| has been a notable lack OF italian enthusiasm
+ for Russia
THE DANGER IN THE BALKANS.
The Balkans are considered the danger spot
/ Of Europe. AS result OF the preoccupation
Of Russia in the Far East 1t is known here that
she has been careful not to draw upon the
troops in European Russia to any large extent
for service IN Manchuria, because of the pros
4 pect that Turkey and Bulgaria will engage IN
/ in the spring.
| Austria will bear the burden IN tho greater
degree, Of preserving peace in Europe In this.
cl,a will ba