Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-05-15
On French Possessions in
Indo-Chinese Territory
Causing No Little Apprehension
Among French Statesmen.
II Runors Are True, France May Soon Have
10 Defend Her Colonies.

Paris, May 14.--The popular out
burst at Toxic against France ieads 10
settled convictions that Japan has ter
ritOrial ambitions in IndO-China when
the French must sooner or later de-
fend. Although the Japanese officials
disclaim any such intentions, the pup
lie and press unite I'm calling on the
government to prepare for the contest
which it is asserted will be inevitable
when Japan's hands are freed from the
Russian war.
The government authorities while not
considering that trouble is imminent,
share the public belief that it is essen
tial to make speedy preparation for
the defense Of Indo-China and accord
ingly large special credits are being
asked for, the ministries of marine and
war are considering large augmenta-
tions of the forces in IndO-China and
Admiral Fournier is planning chain
of coast defenses similar to these with
which he has encircIed France. The adj
miral and representatives of the army
and of the colonies will probably IN
spect the requirements.
This sentiment has been slowly ma
turing into conviction. The first sus-
picions were aroused some months ago
bv the publication of a detailed plan
of campaign said to have been drawn
ND in the Japanese war office for the
invasion of Indo-China and the denials
which followed the publication of the
plan have failed to change the popular
belief that Indo-China is menaced and
Foreign Minister Delcasse and other
ministers have advised Parliament to
give suitable attention to the require
ments of the colony.
The recent agitation at Toxic against
Admiral Rojestvensky using the wa
tnrs of Indo-China has given new gray
itv to the question. Such conservative
papers as the Temps and Figaro say
that Japan'S action clearly disclOses
interior motives against the French
colonies, while the radical newspapers
like the Patric give sensational prom
inence to statements alleging that Jap
an is able to land troops above Hanoi,
capital of Tonquin. sweep southwark
with practically no opposition. and
simultaneously occupy kamranh bay
and other unprotected coast points.
This doubtless is exaggerated, but9it
contributes to establish the belief that
energetic measures are necessary to
rIace the French colonies in a complete
state of defense.
The re-asscmbling Of the Chamber OF
Deputies, Monday, is expected to re-
new the agitation on the questions or
Morocco and French neutrality. The
notice given to Foreign Minister Del
casse by NJ. De Pressense fSocialisO, OF
his intention 20 interpellate the govern
ment on its foreign policy promises 10
bring about a decisive issue between
the minister and tho Socialists who
have been criticizing his policy.
The debate on the bill providing for
the separation of church and state is
also nearing its close. Meetings of coun-
ell general throughout the provinces
show there Is about an equal division
of opinion on the question Of separation,
although the ministry of public worship
has issued a statement to the effect that
the votes show II councils favorable to
separation and Is against IL.
Exchanges OF communications are CO.
ing on between Paris and Washington
for the purpose of arranging that the
ceremony Of removing the body Of Paul
Jones from It's Temporary resting plac"
here to the American warship which will
convey II to the United States shall
take place or the Fourth OF July.
The Carnavalet museum has received
gift prrporting 10 be the keys of the
Bastill, which il is claimed have de-
scendcd from the family OF Antoine
Joseph Santerre. the brewer. who. as
commandment of the National Guard.
took part i'm the storming Of the Bas-
tile. July II. 1883. The gift excites
great curiosity notwi;hsI anding the
fact that Lafayette sent the original
keys OF the Bastilc to George Washing
ton and that they are still retained
aTong the Washington relics.
Mrs. Hay. wife of Secretary Hay. ar
lived here. Saturday, from Bad Maui
helm, Germany, on a shopping visit.
Tho secretary remains at Bad Nauheim
until the end of the month when he
will probably come here. His intimate
friends say the secretary has greatly
benefited by the freedom from official