The Topeka state journal., 1905-04-18
japan Is About to Appeal to
Great Britain
To Make Good Her Part of
Treaty Obligations.
NEUTRALITY BROKEN.
France Is Declared to Be Openly
Aiding Russia.
BY Allowing ROjestvensky a
Base in IndO China.

Toxic, April 1S.-Discussing the pres
ence Of vessels Of the Russian second
Pacific squadron at Kamranh bay on
the east coast of French Indo-China,
the Jill Shimpo declares that the uss
of the island of Madagascar by the Rus
shan squadron was a direct and pro-
longed violation of the principle of neu-
traJity but on account of the distance
Japan in that instance simply lodged a
protest. The paper, however, insists
that Russia is now using Kamranh bay
as base for action against her op-
ponent and she intends to use it as the
point for effecting a junction with the
remaining division Of the squadron.
If the use of Kamranh bay is con-
tinued," the Jill Shimpo adds, Japan
must regard its neutrality as complete
ly ignored and Japan will not be oblig-
ed to respect its neutrality. Violations
Of neutrality in distant ports are not
important but when close to the zone
Of war it is impossible to view them
with the same leniency.'
The Jill Shimpo further declares
that France is lending the Russians
sufficient assistance, thus actually
joining issue with Russia against
Japan and that it is now necessary
for Japan to notify Great Britain and
obtain her cooperation according to
the terms Of the Anglo-Japanese aIli-
ance.
Protests" the paper asserts. "are
unavailing. The time for action has
come"
The Nichi Nichi today says France
has been a party to keeping the loca-
ton OF the Russian squadron a secret
and adds that France does not OBJ
serve the twenty-four hour rule, but,
the paper adds, the spirit of neutral
/ lty affords no excuse for extending
{ rrrrr n g4r-Ts
squadron, and it expresses the hope
/ that France will take steps to abide
! by her obligations and duties as a
neutral power.
The Azashi shimbun asserts that
France has deliberately kept the
presence of the Russian squadron a
secret. The paper expresses regret
1 at the fact and hopes the government
OF Japan will act decisively.
France Is Doing Her Best.
Paris, April 1S.-The French govern
! ment has taken every precaution to Sc
cure the observance. of neutrality in
! French waters in Indo-China- To this
1 end instructions have been sent to NJ
/ Beak, governor general of Indo-China,
/ again calling his attention to the reR1l-
I lations concerning the Observance Of
4 neutrality issued at the outset Of the
war. These are identical with the neu-
/ trality rules in force during the Span
/ ish-Amerfcan war. 1t is believed Ad-
French naval forces at Saigon, in pro-
| ceeding to Kamranh bay where part OF
! the Russian second Pacific squadron
/ has been seen is following the governor
! generals instructions.
The latter were not the result of the
report that Japan contemplated max
/ ing representations on the subject as
no such action has thus far been order
! ed and France has from the outset act
| ed voluntarily in seeking to maintain
| the neutrality of her waters. This,
| however. is increasingly difficult al re
mote points not connected by telegraph
! and far from opportunities for official
communications. Nevertheless the in
/ structions sent to NJ. Beau contemplate
! the full observance of neutrality It is
probable that has been made known to
the Russian naval commander. How
I ever, it is impossible for France to an
/ ticipate or control the movements Of
the Russian squadron and she can only
direct the governor general to enforce
the regular rules Of neutrality.
The officials here have no infOTma-
! ton concerning the length or circuTn-
/ stances Of the stay of the Russian yes
seIs at Ka amranh bay and therefore they
arc unable to determine whether the
ships are actually within the territorial
limits Of French water.
But in any event q temporary stop at
such a point is not considered eQulVa-
! lent to using the locality as a naval
base but rather as being in the nature
/ of an eXigeney incident to the voyage
Concerning the statement in the AsSoc1-
/ ated Press dispatches from Toxic that
! the international status of the waters
| of Kamranh bay might determine the
question of Admiral Togo's attacking
the Russians there the official view pre-
walls here that there are no interna-
/ tional obstacles to prevent the japanese
1 adopting such tactics as their naval sit
uation requires.