The Washington times., 1905-04-20
Japan Makes Protest;
France Gives Assurances

PARIS. April 30-Your correspondent
learns from an unofficial source that
while Japan has not officially protested
to France against the alleged violation
of neutrality in Indo-Chinese waters,
representative, prohted by yesterdays
diplomatic reception to allude to the
question of neutrality in Indo-China in
a conversation with NJ DeIcasse, the
minister of foreign affairs.
NJ. Delcasse, the minister of foreign
affairs, replied eourteously. He said
the information asked for would be fur
nIshed although it will require some time
to obtain the facts and date.
No Protest at Tokyo.
The foreign Office informs your corre-
at Tokyo has not received any protest
from Japan
An attache of the department said to-
day:
I'VE have not been advised of the pro-
lenged stay ef the Russians in Indo-
Chinese waters According 70 what
news has been received 1t appears they
left there three days ago having re-
1T ought to be observed we hays
never subscribed to the English rule
limiting the stay OF vessels to twenty
four hours. Recently the Japanese lin
gered along rhe Annam coast while
making. souadinss and we notified them
10 leave Were the Russians to do like
wise our attitude would nave to be tho
same
Some Isolated Position.
I'LL =
eG some deserted point along the coast.
or a place which is not connected By
telegraph with French centers. Under
such circumstances where news must
be sent by courier it sometimes requires
eight or ten days for it to reach the
authorities who transmit it to Paris.
Therefore, even If true that the Rus
SLAMS are still there ii would be impos-
sible for US 10 know il, or to take any
action.
''The japanese apparently profited by
this condition in the Dutch possessions
in the neighborhood, using deserted
land ignoring their actions until long
atterward.
~All We can say at present is that we
are determined TO act with fairness, and
not to sanction any violations OF neu-
trality.'
France Is innocent.
In the chamber of deputies Premier
Rouvier said the government is 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 follow any
Dolicv likely to result in an armed con-
tfict
A prolonged stay by Admiral Rogest-
yeusky in French waters In the Far
East is not appreheTdesi. and, although
no news has been re 1@lved on the sub
iect in the last day or two the deDar-
lure of the Baltic fleet from hamranh
bay is believed imminent if it has not
already taken place.
Rogestversky Defed Orders.
At Madagascar the admiral refused
TO assume the responsibility of obeying
the Russian governments order that he
leave Madagascar waters before he was
READY. In fact, he positively disregard
ed the orders the Russian government
issued on pressing representations from
France.
He Is not likely. however, to repeas
the otfense in this instance. where IL
might entail grave International conSe-
queuces There is no doubt that this
has been made clear TO him in recent
instructions
Should he fail TO comply with them
means will no doubt be found TO bring
home 10 him the understanding that
such momentous issues are not TO be
triaed witt
Japan Protests.
TOKYO. April 2O.-It is stated that
Japan has made a strong protest TO
France against the Baltic fleet staying
at Kanlranh BAY. French Indo-China-
II is strongly felt here that France In
actively assisting the Russians within
what is practically the zone of hostiIities
The expected advent of the third Rus
sian squadron into the China Sea in
about a week strengthens the opinion
that the situation is one of exceeding
gravity so far as French neutrality 70
SmaII's Easter Flowers
] H. Small & Sons. 18th and G. Washins.
ton: waldorf Astoria & 1853 dway. " Z.
ADV.