The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-02-20
U. S. MAY Be DRAWN
into WAR IN EAST.
Continued From Page Eight)
1000 JAPS AT FORMOSA?

Paris, Feb 20.-The foreign office here
declares TO be absurd the report circu-
lated yesterday IN New York alieged noo TO
Japanese troops had been landed at the
Island OF Formosa, with the intention or
invading the French possessions in the
Far East In case of France siding with
Russia in the war.
No such information has been received.
and up to noon today there has been no
mention OF such a report in any French
MILITARY ACTIVITY.
Stockholm. Sweden, Feb. O.--Unusual
naval and military activity Is displayed
In connection with neutrality measures.
The coast artillery has been ordered 10
be In readiness. warships are being sent
to Goland Island and the coast defense
battleships and torpedo boats have been
ordered to be prepared for active service.
uNEAsINEss IN EUROPE.
London. Feb. 3O.-The uneasiness exhib-
tied on the continent In regard to the pos
sibility that a European war may ensue
from the struggle in the Far East Is not
shared by Great Britain.
No power has made such complete naval
preparation for every contingency and
yet nowhere is confidence greater that the
hostilties will be confined to Russia and
Japan than II IL In London.
The naval and military preparations an
nounced from continental capitals are re-
garded here as being mere common sense
measures which any power must adopt
however remote the contingency OF their
employment may appear.
LULL IN STRIKE
IL Is also thought that the lull In the
actual war news has led many European
correspondents to employ their spare
time In exaggerating the continental ac-
ton and in applying such steps as have
actually been taken to erroneous moves.
The latest OF these, the despatch from
Madrid announcing that preparations
have been made TO send reinforcements
TO the Balearic Islands met with a denial
In interested quarters and the additional
statement from Madrid that Great Brit
ain intends TO seize Spanish points in the
event OF war has not even the semblance
OF probability.
ARBITRATION TREATY.
The Associated Press learns that at the
present moment Spain and Great Britain
are on the verge of concluding an arbitra-
tion treaty and that in other ways their
diplomatic relations are closer than they
have been for years past.
SAILED FOR SHANGHAI.
Manila, Feb 20-The United States pro-
tected cruisers Cincinnati and Albany OF
Rear Admiral Evans fleet have sailed for
Shanghai.
SQUADRON SIGHTED.
Island OF Perrin, Red Sea- Feb. 0.-A
squadron OF warships passed here az mid
night bound for Suez IL was believed
TO be the Russian squadron recently at
Jbutil. French Somaliland.
QUIET IN MANCHURIA.
ST. Petersburg. Feb. 20.-Maj. Gen.
Ping the chief OF staff OF Niceroy Alex
ieff, telegraphed from Port Arthur today
"The situation at Port Arthur is un-
changed.
"a sotnia OF Cossacks, marching from
WiJu. captured japanese major. Tat
ians.
''The reports regarding the enemy are
generally contradictory and scarce.
"It in confirmed that trops OF Yuan
Shat Kia. commander-in-chief OF the Chi
nese army, are being dispatched 10 Tsin-
chou and Kupantze.
"AI fs uuet I'm Manchuria."