Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-21
MYSTERY OF BALTIC FLEET.
France Insists That She Has Been
Neutral.

A cabegram from London last night says
1t is impossible to learn definitely whether
the Baltic fleet is still at Kamranh bay. In
Tokyo it is believed that it is, while in Paris
it's presence there is denied. An English
correspondent in Paris quotes Foreign Min
lister Delcasse as saying in the lobby Of the
chamber that the fleet left the AMMAN coast
Thursday morning. Another Paris report
says it left some days ago.
A telegram from Saigon, announcing that
the French torpedo boats that went to
Kamranh bay have returned to Saigon, is
interpreted as an indication that Admiral
Rojestvensky has really gone.
Another dispatch from Saigon says that
the Russian fleet is still at Kamranh bay.
1t adds that Admiral de Jonquieres, COM
mander of the French Asiatic station, has
taken every step to insure French neutral
ity
There is definite news regarding the prog
ress eastward of Vice Admiral Nebogatoff' s
division of the squadron While the French
report that he had reached the Sunda
Straits. 1t is not believed on account of the
known slowness of his vessels. 1t is con-
Sidered within the bounds of possibility
that Rojestvensky's lingering in Kamranh
bay may be due to the conviction that Ne
bogatoff will soon join him.
The London Times correspondent at To-
kyo represents the excitement over the stay
Of the Russian fleet at Kamranh bay as
growing. Representatives Of nearly all the
newspapers in Japan met in Tokyo and de-
nounced its being allowed to remain there
as fragrant breach of neutrality. The del
egates pledged themselves to organize DEM
onstratlons to make vehement representa-
tons to the government to approach the
French ministers and to telegraph the
French government.
A cablegram from Paris last night says:
Acting upon instructions from his govern
ment Dr. Motono. the Japanese minister
to France, called on Foreign Minister Del
casse this evening and submitted represen-
tatIons on behalf of Japan concerning the
presence OF the Russian Pacific SQUADRON
in kamranh bay. An official communion
ton issued after the meeting states that
Minister Motono's action had not the char
acter of a formal protest against an alleged
violation of neutrality, but was to Obtain
assurances that France would observe strict
neutrality. 49,
Notwithstanding the official version. II is
evident that the intention and effect of Min
ls.eI Niotohos action is in the nature of a
protest. "a
Foreign Minister Delcasse resnopdaa 70
the representations of the Japanese minis
Ter py pointing out the precautions herato-
Iote taken 10 preserve neutrality and the
special instructions recently sent to rho
governor general of 1ndo-China to use CON
tlnued care to preserve neutrality. M. Del
prehensions of Japan which Ia naip
cific facts. ~ any 9Pe-
:. Inc exact terms Of Japan's renresenta-
Ions nave not been disclosed. but II is nm
uerslooa That while having the usual cour-
.sous FORM or diplomacy, they set forth
that serious apprehensions had been aroused
ny the stay of the Russian warships in
Aamranh bay and the urgent desire That
rfench neutrality be placed beyond doubt