The Irish standard., 1905-05-20
ing from the episode In which Cap.
tain O'Shea played such a weak and
disgraceful part. 81
FRENCH NEUTRALITY.

disgraceful part.
FRENCH NEUTRALITY.
Richard Weightman tells us that
army and navy officers in Washington
laugh at the tremendous fuss over al
legged violations of neutrality laws by
France in favor of the Russian Baltic
fleet now in Chinese waters. He
points out several instances where
Japanese infringement of neutrality
laws was so much more fragrant than
any act of Russia's ally that it really
makes those who are keeping up the
contention appear ridiculous. Every
one knows that Japan in the first part
OF the war occupied all Corea for mill
itary purposes. Now Corea is sup
posed to be an Independent kingdom,
but the occupation of Corea by Japan
is as everyone knows, a permanent
arrangement. Corea's national integ-
rity is a thing of the past and for all
practical purposes it is now a part
of Japan, absolutely under the latter's
control, but no American or English
man seems to blame Japan for occu-
pying Corea, yet both condemn Russia
for occupying a portion of Manchuria.
1t will be remembered also how Japan
entered the Port of Chemulpo, which
~oc,Y1tn1 in hn 1nc}r oF% %ho D,,o
sian cruisers Variag and Korietz. 1t
will also be remembered that on sew
eral occasions japanese troops have
passed over into Chinese territory in
order to deliver flank attacks upon
the Russian army. Not once have
the English or American sympathizers
of Japan raised a cry that neutrality
was being violated by Japan, but
when Rojestvensky entered French
waters in the Far East a great hula
baloo arose. AS matter of fact
France has carefully guarded against
any violation of neutrality. She has
assured Japan time and again that
she has extended to Rojestvensky no
privileges that she will not at any time
accord to Togo or any of the Japanese
admirals. Delcasse, the ablest of the
worlds diplomats, has taken pains not
to give England any excuse by which
the latter might extend open aid to
Japan. On the other hand English
boats, even men-of-war, have been
employed in watching the movements
of Rojestvensky and reporting them
to sources from which the Japanese
might and did get the information.
Mr.. Weightman rightly says, What
amuses enlightened observers Of
events is the hullabaloo at Toxic and
London over the alleged leniency of
France to Russia in the matter of
Rojestvensky's cruise. Even if all
these allegations were justified by the
actual facts they do not amount to
a serious comparison with Japanese
aggressions in Corea and Manchuria
and in Chinese waters proper. 1t is
worthy of note, however, that Lon
don kept quiet, seemed to be looking
the other way, SO to speak, as long as
Russia was buying coal from Engrish
dealers, and found her note of indig
nation only when the market Seemed
going Frances way. Still, it is an
amusing little comedy, all the more
so because of the solemn
malle-believe earnestness set up
by the actors. The truth is that
France has stood faithfully by her
own principles and declarations of
neutrality, and the chances are that
England has furnished far more mate
rials of war to Rojestvensky than
Russia's ally has ever dreamed of
furnishing. Meanwhile there is an
other and an even more important
question. The world does not yet
know to what extent Japan has mined
the commercial highways of the Pa
cific under the pretext of establishing
legitimate defensive zones. The at
tack on the Port Arthur fleet was de-
livered twenty-four hours in advance
of the declaration of war. Decidedly
there has been no sticking for eti-
quette in this rustling Japanese affair
so far Our dear friend England is
always amusing, however, and care
fully maintains her contributions to
the gayety of nations.
1--WE WONDER" says the Pilot, "how
many of the Presbytelians who will
celebrate on Nav 21, the centenary of