The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-04-21


II ARTS, April 20.-Actins on instruc-
tions from his government, DIR.
Motono. the japanese minister to
France, called on Foreign Minister
Delcasse. this evening and submitted
representations ON behalf of Japan con-
corning the presence of the Russian
Pacific squadron i'm Kamrauh bay. An
official communication issued after the
meeting states that Minister MOtOnOs
action had not the character OF a for
mai protest against an alleged viola
tioU of neutrality. but was to obtain
assurances that France would observe
strict neutrality
Notwithstanding the official version.
II IS evident that the intention and eff
feet of Mr.. Motouo's mission is i'm the
nature of a protest. Foreign Minister
Delcasse responded to the representa-
lions of the Japanese minister by point
ing out the precautions that had been
taken To preserve neutrality. and the
special instructions recently sent to the
governor general Of IudO-China urg-
ing continued care to preserve neutral
ity. NJ. DelCaSse's assurances sought
TO allay the apprehensions Of Japan
which he maintained had not been jus
titled by ANY specific acts.
Gave Ample Assurances.
The exact terms of Japan's repre-
SeutatiOus have not been disclosed. but
ii is understood that, while having the
usual courteous form of diplomacy,
they set forth that serious aDurehen-
sions had been aroused by the stay Of
the Russian warships in Kamranh bay
and the earnest desire that French neil
trality be placed beyond doubt.
The terms of the French response,
although not given out, tend to give
ample assurances on all the questions
raised The text of the official com
muuication on the conference is as fol-
lows:
Official Statement.
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
foreign affairs il is said that Minister
Motono's action does not take the
character of formal protest against
alleged violation of neutrality by
France relative to the Russian feet.
The japanese particularly desired to
obtain from the French government,
as had been done when the Baltic
squadron passed Cherbourg and more
recently when it sojoUIned off NADIA
gascar. some formal assurance that
France would continue to observe
strict neutrality. These assurances
evidently seemed more and more indis-
peusahle to Japan as the Russian fleet
approached the coast of IHdo-China
and entered the theatre of war
All Precautions Taken.
The French government has on fire.
qUent OCCs siOus pOiDtedly affirmed that
all precautions have been taken for the
observance of neutrality Special in
structiOus have even been foUW aTded
20 IndO-China on the subject. The
minister of foreign affairs Is. there
fore, able TO allay the uneasiuess ia
pan has manifested. which has not
iaI IN no nv ny
specific act
Besides these general assurances the
conference doubtless permitted of the
explanation of the French point of view
concerning the stay of Russian war
ships in Kamranh bay. 1t is main
tanned that this was at most a brief
SOiOurn, and not prolonged stay. of
fetal information leading TO the BELIEF
that the squadron actually left KAN
Tanh bay last Sunday. No Japanese
ships were I'm the vicinity during the
stay of the Russian squadron, and.
therefore, II is held, il has not the
character Of giving asylum 10 a bel
Iigerent against the attack of an
enemy
Kamranh Bay Is Large.
Moreover. it is maintained. the size
Of Kamranh bay permits ships to en-
ter and anchor without being in French
territorial waters The bay has a tTi-
angular shape. its greatest length be
ing sixteen and Oue-half miles. its
greatest width ten miles, and the dis
lance across the entrance about eight
miles. These dimensions permit of yes
sells entering and mooriug without
crossing the three-mile French shore
limit From the French standpoint il
is not TO be presumed that ships are
within French waters until II Is af-
frmatively established that the three
mile limit has been encTOaChed upon.
Furthermore. officials say that France
had no previous knowledge that the
Russian second Pacific SQUADRON in
tended going To Kamranh bay. and.
therefore. had no opportunity TO fore
see or guard against the visit.
Germans Supplied Coal.
Concerning the course Of the Russian
warships i'm taking on stores. il is
maintained that these were not con-
traband of war. but were necessary
provisions such as merchantmen may
supply at their own peril II is pointed
out I'm this connection that the chief
article Of cOuJrabaud. namely. coal
had been furnished 10 the Russian
squadron by German ships, which took
ON their cargoeS from the British port
Of Cardiff presumably for other des-
tiuatious.
1t remains for Toxic. to which the
French reply was sent tonight. to say
whether the assurances are considered
sufficient. The opinion prevails mere
that NJ DelcasSe'S answer is of ma
ture TO avert serious complications.
However. the attitude of socialist depu-
ties promises to bring up the entire
question before the chamber Of depu-
ties.
The socialist movement follows the
general sentiment in socialist quarters
against the Franco Russian alliance
The appearance of the question as
political issue i'm parliament leads TO
the feeling in some quarters that RO-
jcstvenskys presence i'm IndO-Chiuese
waters constitutes considerable men
ace TO France and may operate TO
weaken the bonds between Russia and
France
Conflicting Reports