The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-09
/ FRENCH DENIAL HOLLOW
Britons Regard Frances Course as
Great Help to Russia.

New York Sun Special Service.
London, May 9.-France has reiter-
ated it's assurances to England that
Rojestvensky shall not be permitted to
abuse French neutrality in any way in
volving practical harm to Japan.
These assurances sound rather hollow
to Downing street, where it is admitted
that France appears already to have
given aid to the Russian squadrons,
without which Rojestvensky probably
gould never have brought up his armada
in shape to make effective attack on
,Togo's fleet.
serious.
Lansdowne Aroused.
.. Lord Lansdowne and his colleagues in
the cabinet are thoroly aroused.
The Japanese are excited and are
pressing the British government to de-
fend them against the Russo-French
coalition. -
However, it is not thought that gen
eral war will result unless France should
adopt a recalcitrant instead of a con-
ciliatory attitude. Lord Lansdowne will
stand a great deal in order to avoid a
destruction of the diplomatic achieve
ments which underlie his growing fame.
II Is also believed that Delcasse will
exert himself to the utmost to prevent
such catastrophe.
An Ugly Customer.
Yet It is recognized that France has
had an ugly customer to deal with. The
view here seems to be that Rojestvensky
is amenable to no authority but his own.
France would stand better in the eyes
Of the world if she had gone after Ro-
jestvensky with some good warships to
enforce her demands. She should enforce
neutrality, not simply request it's OBJ
eervance, say officials here.
France Explains to England.
The situation in the far east and the
possibility of Great Britain g becoming
involved formed the subject Of a ques
tion to Premier Balfour in the house
Of commons this afternoon. Mr., Bal
xour in reply read statement supplied
TO the British government by the
French ambassador, NJ. Cambon, as fol
lows:
AS soon as the French government was
aware Of Admiral Rojestvensky's presence
at Kamranh bay, representations were
sent to st. Petersburg, with the result
that under the orders of the emperor
himself instructions were telegraphed t
the admiral desiring him to leave Kan
ranh bay at once. The Russian squadron
subsequently was reported to be at Hong
Kali Day, a lew niles 1fOTIH VI hauEdHl pdy
Admiral de Jonquieres, commanding tn
French station, was sent there to report
He found Admiral Rojestvensky squad
ron there, tho not inside French territorial
waters. Thereupon the governor o
French Indo- China, who had received IN
structions to see that French neutralit
was duly respected. sent the French prest
dent at Nha-trang, the nearest point t
that place with directions to ask tn
Russian admiral to leave. The admira
promised to do so May 3.
AS regards the reports that the Russia
SQUADRON , received valuable assistanc
from the French authorities at Kamran
bay. I am informed there are only tW
Frenchmen there. neither Of whom is a
official, but there are holders of conces
sions from the French government i'll tina
place. =. ... f.. = 49, .,.-
Bankers Get clip"
New York Sun Special Service.
New York, May "a prominen
clearinghouse here made careful ii
duiries Yesterday in London with regar
to the real situation in connection wit
the reported violation of neutrality b
the French officials in French India. !