The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1905-05-14

OF MS pOSltlon IN the CABINET Tor purely
business reasons.
territorial ambitions in Indo-C China,
which the French must sooner or later
defend Although the Japanese Off
Gals disclaim any such intentions, this
belief has taken firm hold of the French
public and press, which unites in call
ing upon the Government to adopt en-
ergetic measures, strengthening the de-
lenses of Indo-China and 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 the trouble is imminent,
share the public belief that it is essen
tial to make speedy preparation for the
defense of Indo-China,~ and accordingly
large special credits are being asked
for, the ministries of Marine and War
are considering large augmentations of
the forces in Indo-China and Admiral
Fourier is planning a chain of coast
defenses similar TO those with which
he has encircled France. The admiral
and representatives of the army and
of the colonies will probably proceed to
Indo-China shortly to personally in
spect the requirements.
This sentiment has been slowly ma
turing into conviction. The first sus-
picions were aroused some months
ago by the publication of a detailed
plan of campaign said to have been
drawn up in the Japanese War Office
for the invasion of Indo-China. The
denials which followed the publications
of the plans have not failed to change
the popular belief that Indo-Chin is
menaced and Foreign Minister Del
casse and other Ministers have adj
vised Parliament to give suitable at
tention to the request of the colony.
The recent agitation at Toxic against
Admiral Rojestvensky using the
waters Of Indo-China has given new
gravity to the question. Such con-
servative 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 Patrie, give sem
sational prominence to statements al
leging that Japan is able to land troops
above Hanoi, the capital of Tonquin,
sweep southwark with practically no
opposition and simultaneously occupy
Kamranh Bay and other unprotected
coast points. This doubtless is exag-
gerated, but it contributes to estab-
lish the belief that energetic measures
are necessary TO place the French col
onies in a complete state of defense.
The reassembling of the Chamber of
Deputies on Monday is expected to
renew the agitation of the questions
of Morocco and French neutrality.
The notice given to Foreign Minister
Delcasse by NJ. de Pressense (Socialist)
Of his intention to interpellate the Gov
eminent on its foreign policy promises
to bring about a decisive issue be-
tween the Minister and the Socialists
who have been criticising his policy
ATTITUDE OF RUSSIA.
ST. PETERSBURG. May 13.-The
danger of serious complications over
the question of French neutrality is re-
garded as over for the present.
Throughout there has been a DISPOSE
ton to make allowance for the vexa-
ton and irritation manifested by Japan
In the desire to safeguard her interests
at a moment when the future of the
war is staked upon the issue of the
coming naval battle. Nevertheless her
willingness to assume a menacing at
titude toward France upon the strength
Of the British alliance is regarded as
being an eye-opener for the powers
Despite the provocative tone of the
British press, however. the British
Government used its influence at To-
kio In pacific directions. However, the
harsh things said of the French and
Russia in the British papers have so
far as the Russian public is concerned
served to still further infiame the feel
ing of hostility against Great Britain,
which has always been regarded as
Russia's arch enemy.
Premier Ba1four's speech in the
House Of Commons on May II, on the
defense Of India, from this standpoint
came at a particularly inopportune
time, and the comments of some of the
American papers which have been ca
bled here have also aroused some re-
sentiment.
TOXIC, May ia committee of the
Constitutionalist party called on Pre-
mier Katsura to-day and discussed
the French neutrality incident. The
Premier assured the committee that
the Government was exerting its best
efforts in behalf of the country and
explained the various steps taken.
The committee, reporting to the or
ganization later, expressed satisfaction
with the actions and attitude of the
Government.
AS a result of the recent develop
ments. the resolution introduced in the
Chamber of Commerce providing for
g