New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-08
SYMPATHIES OF ALLIES. |
British Trust in Japar-French
Grief at Russian ReuerseS.

london May Quiet confidence continues to
prevail here that the Japanese in their own
good time will carry out ali their carefully ar
ranged plan of campaign the IAao-Tung
Peninsula. which is now generally regarded as
being practically in Japan's hands.
In diplomatic quarters neither a Chinese
breach OF neutrality the mediation of some
power. which would interfere with the normal
course Of the war. is expected. The Foreign
Secretary. Lord Lansdowne. has received ex-
plicit information which leads him TO the belief
that there is no danger of the Chinese failing
to maintain strict neutrality. The Chinese
Minister called at the Foreign Office here this
week and so assured Lord Lansdowne. Any
attempt at mediation. according to the general
opinion in Official and diplomatic circles. must
for the present at any rate be postponed.
Paris. May THE critical situation of Rus
sia's land and forces excites feverish IN
terest. Russian reverses causing almost as much
depression here as at ST. Petersburg The or
ganization called Les Femmes de France turned
over 10 the Russian Embassy to-day two COM
pIete field hospitals of one hundred beds each
This organization is composed OF women In
large cities and includes members OF many
noble families Two more hospital outfits will
be assembled shortly. The embassy sends these
hospitals to the front under the direction OF the
Russian Empress who is personally superin-
tending the efforts of French women IN behalf
of the Russian wounded.
The official view is that Russia has suffered
serious but not an lrreparable blow. The
Foreign Office has not received tonight official
confirmation that Port Arthur completely
invested by land and sea. but leading official
said:
We accept the investment as an accomplished
fact. for If the harbOr is not completely
blocked an investment exists for all practical
purposes The landing is considered merely
preliminary 10 a supreme struggle which will
soon MOukfen. Upon that will
largely depend the outcome OF the war.
Diplomatic negotiations this week took def
mite form TO restrain China from Joining japan
or otherwise breaking neutrality The French
Minister a: Picking and. It is understood. the
ministers OF all the powers including the United
States Joined n the representation. The re-
suits have been satisfactory. the Chinese gov
errment giving positive promise not TO vary
from rigid observance OF neutrality Officials
are somewhat doubtful of Chinese promises.
they recall that after a former declaration OF
neutrality China permitted Black Flags TO assail
French interests However, China's positive
declara ton. backed by the identical position of
the powers. is considered reducing China's
part iu the to minimum.
The readiness with which the Russian loan
was placed in Paris is a further evidence Of
French sympathy ard a belief in the certainty
OF Russia's eventual success.
Although the outside amount Russia desired
was S1SO.9OOOO0. a single group Of French
bankers were ready to underwrte 100000
600 loan. NM. Hottinguer and Noetzlin will
arrive here from st. Petersburg on Monday and
complete arrangements to issue the loan. One
Of the sons OF Baron HOttinguer. founder OF the
great banking house. married Miss Munroe
sister OF the American banker. This led 10 the
belief that a portion OF the loan might go 10
the United States American bankers say that
no part OF il is likely 10 he taken in New-York.
II is pointed out IN this connection that the
placing OF Russian securities the New-York
Stock Exchange han not proved so successful
as was expected A leading Russian official
here said that not single Russian bond had
been bought IN America since the listiag took
terestins account OF how the Russian Army in
the Far East is paid:
All payments are made IN small Russian coins
or Russian notes. These notes are readily
taken by the Chinese. Who familiar with
Russian financial issues. The notes are then
exchanged by station masters Of the Eastern
Chinese Bank at a rate OF exchange fixed by the
Minister of Finance according to the price OF
silver I'm London The confidence OF the Chi
nese public in Russian notes is very great. The
Russo Chinese Bank keeps q silver fund to ex-
change notes in Manchuria. IL being significant
fact that Russian notes are preferred 10 silver
in Manchuria-