The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-14
JAPAN ACCEPTS FRENCH PLEA
tWILL NOT FORCE CRISIS ON VIO-
LATION OF NEUTRALITY
tDoent Dispute the Good Faith Of the
Paris GOyernment--Europe'SA Attention
Also Turned 10 Kniser'S In1uencS
?. In MorooCS-DeIcASse's Controversy


Special cabit Ds,Ddfeh 10 The sun.
LONDON, May lS.-The grave fear Of the
tpread Of the war to the European Power
which alarmed all classes early In the week
las considerably mode rated. The situation
although still delicate, seems to Justify the
optimistic view expressed Ia these des-
catches on May 8 that Japan will not eKer-
Csc her right TO punish violations OF neu-
tralty except az last resort.
The reasons why she should rest rain her
resent ment unless her existence were At
stake are overwhelming. Moreover, most
dipomatists, including probably those Of
Japan. arc convinced OF the good faith OF
the French Government. This does not
inplv that there have been no violations
Of the neutrality laws by the French au-
thorities. On the contrary, the French
oHenses OF this nature have undoubtedly
been fragrant The ofenfes have, how
ever. been committed In disobedience Of
inst ructi ions from the Paris Government.
Il IL not desired 30 bring wholesale
charges Of bribery against French func-
tionaries in various parts Of the world, but
it Is well known that Russian money has
been spent lavishly and unscrupulously to
secure illegitimate privileges and supplies.
The official communications bet Ween Ad-
niral Rojest vensky and the French author
tiles have been strictly in accordance with
the laws Of neutrality, but the process has
been a mere farce in effect
The weeks agitation has been most salu-
tarv. II has awakened IN French Govern
ment and people to the extreme gravity OF
thesiuation and has resulted in instructions
being sent to the Far East, and only gross
insubordination can prevent the removal
Of Japan's just cause OF complaint, The
attacks on THE Suns Saigon correspondent
throughout the French press has given
place to unwilling recognition Of the justice
Of his charges The frst resentment Of
the comments Of the foreign press on the
situation has also disappeared, and there
Is a disposition to admit that the world
wide warnings addressed to France were
not prompted by any unfriendliness to
that country
The weeks alarm has served to distract
attention from the graver crisis in Europe,
which may be described, for want Of better
term, a. the Morocco question. There has
been no disclosure OF Emperor Williams
real intentions, but the conviction is uni
versal in the diplomatic world that he Is
determined 70 take full advantage OF the
Id0lChA Nuhnbo III Nub European ElNhtlAOh
created by Russias impotence. The bal
snce Of power has unquestionably been
destroyed. and this Of itself, as the Spectator
points out in a remarkable article this
week, IL a grave menace. 1t says:
The instant ons Power becomes mo-
inbly the strongest a disposition to rule
the world Ia almost sure to manifest itself,
and the moment that u visible the world
becomes uneasy with an uneasiness which,
II not fatal 20 peace, destroys most Of the
advantages which mankind expect peace
10 secure. Russia lie not a much loved
Power except by absolutists, but her mo-
inontary withdrawal from the field Of
European politics leaves the German En-
peror the strongest potentate on the Con-
tinent, and we see instantly the result,
France shivers, Holland begins to reckon
her means Of defense and Great Britain
hstrays a watohful anxiety which the
German people not unnaturally mistake
for latent hostility, The British people
no more wish harm TO Germany than to
France OF America, but they cannot help
Osking themselves what the able and busy
sovereign Just opposite, who Yields such
immense powers and u yearly increasing
them. means to do with them now that
checks on his free action have been with
drawn. They cannot help study ing him
closely, and as much Of the studying under
our modern system Is done in public a
situation Is created which, as Napoleon
III once said, il neither peace with its ad-
yantaRes nor war with it's happy chances,
end which benefits no one except indeed
The dplomatists who find themselves sud-
denly elevated from the position Of SUI
perior postmen TO that Of the most inn
portant Of all international politicians,
The choice Of an Ambassador Just now
really matters as much as a Premier or a
oommander-in-chief There Is, we sup
pose, no remedy, but II IL a weak place in
hat march OF civilization Of which at in
leryals we are all 90 proud. but which in
no way prevents panios that make il in
iruotuous and leave all men a. much afraid
ot war suddenly breaking out a. courts
Of arbitration had never been heard Of.
Evidence Of the widespread fear Of a
breach Of the peacs IL shown in the reception
Of Prime Minister Balfour's speech on
national defense. II has been the most
prominent subject In the press for the past
two days, and some experts are quoted in
sharp disagreement with the Premier's opti-
mistic views. There are many signs OF
Increasing strength Of the Anglo-Frenoh
entente on both sides OF the Channel. The
chief uneasiness IL In the revival Of rumors
Of the instability Of Foreign Minister Del
oass6's position, but there II nothing forth
coming that tends 70 confirm the sinister
reports Public interest Is keenly alive
10 developments in connection with the
rival embassies to Fez. but some time must
eiapse before there are further disclosures
81 the Kaiser's designs In this direCtio
ta Al. a
strength from GermAny's eastern to her
western frontiers has been progressing for
rome weeks. Nevertheless, diplomatists
generally refuse 10 believe that Emperor
William IA contemplating a sudden attack
on France.
-REPLIES 10 ERENCH DEEENSE.