New-York tribune., 1905-04-19
NO PROTEST FROM JAPAN
Frances altitude Regarding Neu-
traLity-T'okiO Papers Bitter.

Paris. April 1&-The japanese Legation has
not yet received instructions relative to French
neutrality. The semi-oficial Temps this even.
ing publishes a statement which bears evidence
OF government authority, saying:
While international practice on land is well
deIlned, that on water is not exact, differing
Win dinerent nations. Great Britain and some
other countries limit the duration of 4 belliger-
ents stay in their ports TO twenty-four hours,
Dnt France has never fixed a limit for the stay
Ct oelligeTents in French ports, and contents
herselt with interdicting the use Of her ports in
preparation for acts of war. The Ministry OF
read:
The duration Of the stay of belligerents in
Stehch ports when not accompanied by prizes
mas not been limited by any special provision
consequently a strict construction of the reg
ulatlons would permit Admiral Rojestvensky's
snips 10 remain in our ports even beyond twen-
ty-1our hours. as long they do not engage in
preparations for an act Of war. The Japanese
40 NOT seem to complain OF the stay Of the Rus
slan squadron in our ports. but of their stay in
o9r territorial waters. Thus Toxic appears TO
ADOPT the theory OF interdIction to their entry
into territorial waters which she did not OBJ
serve herself at ChemulpO and at Che-FoO.
The Temps proceeds to show that terri
torial waters mean. under the French law Of
March : 1885. three miles from low watermark
The paper adds:
II Is established that Admiral Rojestvensky
@ old NOT enter this limit while of Madagascar.
anu hoLnlhg yet warrants the assumption that
ne mas been less careful in the waters Of Indo-
China. Therefore the Toxic dispatches go too
Iar In declaring that France permits Russia TO
employ her ports for offensive operations. There
IS IS no PROOF supporting any such assertion of the
violation Of French neutrality.
The Japanese government which has not had
any reason thus far to doubt our desire scrupu-
lously 10 fulfil our duty as neutrals will not
iail now 20 show moderation in her claims. Sim
serious.
Instructions have been sent to NJ Beau, Gov
ernor General Of Indo-China, again calling his
attention to the regulations concerning the OBJ
servance Of neutrality issued at the outset Of
the war.
London. April 1S-Japanese diplomats and
others in London regard the alleged breach OF
neutrality by France in allowing the Russian
feet 20 remain on the Cochin-China coast as a
serious development in the situation, but Min
lister Hayashi and Baron Suyematsu were dis
inclined to-day TO give a hasty expression Of
opinion or to anticipate official advices. Baron
Suyematsu said that If the reports were true
Japan would have good cause to complain
Japan. however. had no intention Of picking
quarrel with France and added:
Japan is far from coyeting Cochin China ae
mas been imputed in some quarters. do not
think that France is encouraging the Russian
squadron to misuse French friendship On fhe
contrary, believe that France is really anxious
70 avoid trouble on account OF the Pacific SQUAD
ron. In fact, I think responsible Frenchmen
regard the squadron as an unwelcOme guest and
therefore 1 am fully convinced that France will
manage the matter In such way as to avoid
being compromised.
Toxic. April 1S.-Discussing the presence Of
vessels Of the Russian Second Pacific squadron
at Kamranh Bay, some OF the japanese papers
accuse France OF having violated the laws Of
neutrality in Cochin-China as in Madagascar
and urge the government to take decisive ac-
lion One paper says that France is lending
efficient aid TO Rotestvensky, and that the time
has come to make use OF the defensive alliance
with Great Britain