The Washington times., 1905-05-09
Frances Neutrality Laus
Not Violated in Far East

PARIS. May s9.-Dr. Montono. the Jap
anese ambassador to France. had an
other interview with NJ. Deicasse. the
minister OF foreign affairs, this after
noon
Nothing has been given out in regard
to The purpose OF the visit Of the Japa-
nese representative 10 the foreign office.
1t is presumed TO be in connection with
the present situation IN Indo-China.
Press Is Moderate.
The attitude of the press has been
very mild and the people have remained
remarkably calm in the present situa-
ton considering that the facts as to
the condition In Indo-China have been
Traleyolently distorted abroad.
In official circles the idea is secuted
that there are serious grounds for
imagining International complications
can arise.
It is recalled that the French laws of
neutrality were proclaimed at the time
OF the Spanish-American war. They
have never given dissatisfaction and
have ELECTED no protest unit. Japan
thought them fisadvantascous 20 her.
self under the present circumstances.
The assurance has been renewed that
the neutrality laws or the nation have
7.
Montono, the japanese ambassador, has
not made any further romonstTance-
No Friction, Says France.
It is announced officially by the foreign
office that Japan has not made any
formal protest with respect to the stay
of the Russian fleet in Indo-China wa
ters. She has not made any specific
charges that neutrality has been vio-
Ill,
quested the French government to exert
itself in causing the observance of neu-
traIity.
The Japanese government Is aware
that the rules laid down for neutrais
ny England never have been adopted by
France, and never will be
Insular powers. which have many ma
val bases, adopt rigorous neutrality
rules, whereas France and other CONT
mental powers having few points of ma
val support, would be at manifest in
feriority If they accepted the rigorous
rules which England has set down for
its own guidance. The French govern
ment has Informed parliament that it is
fully respecting the neutrality of its
coast and waters in Indo- China.
Through rnisapprehension a portion of
the public has formed the opinion that
! France is required 10 recognize the es-
tabitshed British system instead OF
French regulations II respect IF neu-
II aiity. The French regulations on this
subject are far more liberal than those
of England. and this is well known to
tnpan.
The French office specifically announe-
es that there Is friction whatever
with Japan, and that reports to the con-
| trary in the newspapers are misrepre-
SenTatiOnS.
Gone Three Days.
1t is stated positively that in eonse-
quence Of the urgent representations OF
| the French authorities the Russian Bal
tic fleet cleared out of French territor-
ial waters about three days ago.
Instructions have been sent from Paris
! that the Russians be requested not TO
| return and not to make use OF French
| territorial waters as a base of opera
| tiOns.
Furthermore. adequate police meas
ures have been taken to prevent any OF
the belligerents ships from entering
| French Indo-Chinese territorial waters
! or making use of them for any purpose
I whatever.
Not Passively Acquiescent.
| 1t Is emphatieany denied that the
| French authorities We're passive onlook-
| crs while the Russians took In coal and
| provisions.
| Admiral Regestvensky was repeatedly
| requested to leave Kamranh bay and his
| subsequent moorings i'll Indo-Chinese
de Jonquieres able to back up his
concentrations TO the Russians by a