Evening journal., 1905-04-21
NEUTRALITY is
AGAIN DISCUSSED
Japanese Minister Calls on
Delcasse on this Import
ant Topic
BELIEVED PROTEST WAS LODGED

Paris, April 21.-Acting upon In
structiops from his government. DR..
Motono, the Japanese minister to
France, called on Foreign Minister
Delcasse and submitted representa-
tions on behalf Of Japan concerning
the presence OF the Russian Pacific
squadron in Kamranh Bay. An official
communication issued after the meet
ing states that Minister Motono's ae-
ton had not the character Of a formal
protest against an alleged violation of
neutrality, but was to obtain assur-
ances that France would observe strict
neutrality.
Notwithstanding the ofhcial version
It is evident that the intention and ef-
feet of Minister Motono's action is in
the nature Of protest
The exact terms of Japan's represen-
tations have not been disclosed, but It
is understood that. while having the
usual courteous form Of diplomacy,
they set forth that serious apprehen-
sions had been aroused by the stay Of
the Russian warships in Kamranh
Bay and the urgent desire that French
neutrality be placed beyond doubt
The terms Of the French response.
although not given out, tend to give
ample assurances upon all the ques-
tions raised. The text of the official
communication upon the conference is
as follows:
"Dr. Motono, minister Of Japan, has
taken steps to call the attention Of the
minister of foreign affairs to the re-
ported presence of Russian vessels in
Kamranh Bay. AT the ministry of for
eign affairs it is stated that Minister
Motono's action does not take the
character OF a formal protest against
alleged violation Of neutrality by
France relative to the Russian fleet.
The japanese minister particularly de-
sired to obtain from the French gov
ernment. as he had done when the
Baltic squadron passed Cherbourg. and
more recently when it sojourned off
Madagascar. some formal assurances
that France would continue to observe
strict neutrality. These assurances
evidently seemed more and more in
dispensable to Japan as the Russian
fleet approached the coast of Indo-
China and entered the theatre of war.
The French government has on fire.
quent occasions affirmed that all pre-
cautions have been taken for the OBJ
servance of neutrality. Special instruc-
tions have even been forwarded to
Indo-China on the subject. The min
lister of foreign affairs is therefore able
to allay the uneasiness japan has
manifested, which has not been justi-
fed up to the present by any specific
fact"
Besides these general assurances, the
conference doubtless permitted the ex-
PLANTATION Of the French point of view
concerning the stay of Russian war
ships in Kamranh Bay. 1t is main
tained that this was at most a brief
sojourn and not a prolonged stay, Off
cial information leading to the belief
that the squadron actually left Kan
ranh Bay last Sunday. No Japanese
ships were in the vicinity during the
stay Of the Russian squadron, and
therefore it is held. it had not the
character of giving asylum TO a bel
ligerent against the attackof an enemy
Moreover, it is maintained, the size OF
Kamranh Bay permits ships to enter
and anchor without being within
French territorial waters. The dimen-
sions permit Of vessels entering and
mooring without crossing the three
mile French shore linct. From the
French standpoint it is not to be pre-
sumed that ships are within French
waters until it is affirmatively estab-
lished that the three-mile limit has
been encroached upon. Furthermore
officials say that France had no pre-
vious knowledge that the Russian sec
ond Pacific squadron intended to 60
to Kamranh Bay, and therefore had nc
opportunity to foresee or guard against
the visit
II remains for Toxic, to which the
French reply was sent, to say whether
the assurances are considered sufi-
cient. The opinion prevails here that
NJ. Delcasse's answer is OF a nature tc
avert serious complications.