The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-20
bers Of the cabinet held a conference
today which lasted five hours. ~
Frances Course Brings Crisis.

@NoW 4oEh 0uA 0peClaA 0erVICes.
~ London, April 20-,.A. dispatch to the
Telegraph from Toxic says that mat
ters have reached the inevitable crisis
in reference to the unwarrantable stay
Of the Baltic feet at Kamranh bay.
Japan has adopted the only course open
to her and formal protest has been.
delivered to France. It is expected that
Great Britain will heartily support this
action.
The incident is regarded as being
covered by the Anglo-Japanese alliance,
but it is hoped that France will con-
form to what are considered the ele-
mentary principles Of neutrality. Other
wise the situation, to which there must
be a time limit, will become exceed
lngly grave. ~.
The tone of the Japanese press con-
clares that if the japanese protest is
ignored, Kamranh bay must be regarded
as Russian base. The Jill Shimpo
says that a protest without a ready
force supporting it is useless. All the
papers praise the government IS insist
emf attitude. N.
Russo Franco German Conference, L.
The St. Petersburg correspondent Of
the Telegraph represents that Russia
sought Frances help on behalf Of the
occurred between France and Russia,
and unofficially between y Russia and
Germany, with the result that all three
powers agreed theoretically either that
the restrictive construction, hitherto
put on neutrality obligations, by certain
powers, was excessive and unjustifed,
or that it had become incompatible with
latter-day conditions. ~
French Premier Speaks.
New York Sun Special Service. $751;.
Paris, April 20.-In the chamber of
deputies yesterday, Premier Rouvier
said that the government was doing
everything necessary to assure the
maintenance Of neutrality In the far
east. The salient point Of the debate
was that France was unwilling to fol-
low any policy that would be likely to
| result i'll an armed conflict.
No confirmation has been obtained
here of the report that Japan has for
mally protested against the stay of
the, Russian squadron in the waters Of
Indo-China. The following guarded,
semi official statement was issued:
Outside Of French Waters.
| Nothing is known in the highest French
| diplomatic quarters concerning the pro-
| test, which according to certain foreign
iepOTCS HAS Def-l formally addressed by
Japan to the French government relative
| to the violation of neutrality by the Rus
| sian squadron. Furthermore, this squad
ron has been outside French waters for
| several days past. r.
| In view Of today's press dispatches,
saying the Russian squadron was still
at Kamranh bay, the last part Of the
semi-offcial statement appears to indi-
cate that Admiral Rojestvensky has
withdrawn outside the three-mile limit
from the shore line Of the bay which,
according to French law, constitutes
the open sea. ,-.-r .>
Russia Denies Naval Rumors.
| st. Petersburg; April 20.-It is said
here that Admiral Roiestvensky has not
! overstepped the French rules of neu
trality at Kamranh bay, the coa1ing and
/ provisioning of his ships being done
outside Of territorial waters.
The charges Of Russia s violation OF
neutrality, coupled with the revival OF
the story that Russia intends to senG
her Black sea fleet thru the Darda
nelles, and the report that the British
Mediterranean fleet will be sent to the
Aegean sea to head off the Russian
feet, cause extreme irritation. The As
ISOLATED Press is again authorized tt
state that Russia has no intention Of
sending out the Black sea fleet.
The admiralty officials are quit,
elated over news showing that not !:
single collier dispatched to the Chin:
sea thru the straits of Sunda, to throw
the Japanese off the scent Of Roiest
vensky, fell into the hands Of the Jap
anese.