New-York tribune., 1905-01-15
TOPICS IN PARIS.
YeJOz0 Peril ReUiUed = Aroused
OUer Secret Spying System.

Especial 10 The New-York Tribune by French Caoe)
Copyright: 1905: By The Tribune AssOoistion)
Paris. Jan 14-Russian diplomacy has sue
ceeded In waving the yellow peril before the eyes
OF the French public in an effective and threat
ening manner. The publication in the Echo de
Paris" the favorite newspaper Of French army
officers. OF an alleged confidential report Of
General Kodama stated to have been drawn
UP for the japanese government in 1902. when
that distinguished officer was Governor Of
Formosa, which treats with scientific military
thoroughness the hypothesis Of the japanese
conquest Of the French possessions in Indo-
China. IN spite OF the formal denials Of it's
authenticity by the Japanese Legation here,
causes no little commotion and uneasiness in
the press and public opinion, which is just now
undergoing one Of its periodical phases OF ner-
vous tension. The alarmist journalists. en-
couraged by Russian sympathies display the
alleged yellow peril IN every imaginable form.
Japan IS represented as about to assume sort
OF Pan-Astatic protectorate and to institute an :
aggressive yellow Asiatic Monroe Doctrine. with
the battle cry Of Asia for the Asiatics-" French
impressionism is thus worked for all It is worth
by Russian diplomacy Meanwhile the French
naval authorities have interest in reducing
the TO its true dimensions. because this
momentary excitement may induce the legtslat-
TO vote the credit asked OF 25O00OOO francs.
hitherto vainly demanded. for the military and
naval defence OF the French colony In Indo-
China.
Cool headed journals like the Temps and
the "Debats." which give great prominence to
General Kodama's startling report, say that
whether the document is genuine or not it
IS OF little Importance, for 1t is the custom OF
general stats Of all countries to make theoreti-
cal studies Of military operations against
neighbors, even when good friends or even
allies NJ Hebrard Editor Of the Temps"
points out as axiom that when two powers
separated by sea it Is on the sea that
the struggle between them must be decided
NJ Doumer and N. lie Myre de Vilers. former
Governor OF Indo-China, say the true policy
Of France is not TO undertake costly works OF
defence in her colonies nor TO maintain strong
naval forces there, because the tropical climate
is bad for French soldiers and sailors, and pro-
pose as an effective remedy the acquisition De-
sides Saigon. OF q second impregnable French
naval station. either in the Bay Of Along or al
Kouang Cheou Ouan- This. in the belief OF
French naval authorities. would assure France
in the event Of an unexpected war with Japan
the command OF the sea by enabling the French
Mediterranean feet to arrive in time IN the
Far East French dipIomatists, with the ex-
ception of Gabriel Hanotaux. former Minister
OF Foreign Affairs, do not attach serious I'M
portance 10 these fantastic stories Of japanese
aggression and the revival of the yellow peril
bogie so adroitly exploited by Muscov1te diplo-
macy.
Public indignation against the secret spying
system is tremendously increased by the TeVeIa-
lions proving that General Peigne. commander
Of the Ninth Army Corps, at Tours. was IN the
habit Of making use Of his Free Mason frater-
nifty for detective reports on the onlcers uNoe+
his command The action Of General FloFenllh
and the ChanceIlory Of the Legion OF hoHor
against all talebearers is enthusiastically Hp-
proyed by the whole country. The French po-
liticaI crisis is happily confined to nome alLaIs'
No matter what Cabinet changes may eiISNe'
,bere ts implicit confidence in NJ. Delcasse and
- .o-a,g, policy. NJ Delcasse was conspicuous
b,, his absence from the Ministerial benches In
the Chamber during the washing OF dirty linen
there in regard 10 the spying upon the private
lives of army and navy ofhcers' ana Dy ms
s+ratghtforward conduct and loyalty to NJ
o,,be+ he remains unsoiled from the mud that
has bespattered some OF his colleagues
Art amateurs are glad to learn that Henry
Marcer director Of fine arts, has found the
means TO buy the superb Chateau OF the Malsoh
TaAitte. built by Louis XIV in 1858, with all the
grounds as a branch establishment OF the Ma
tionaI Louvre Museum. The extensive naval
and marine collections Of the Louvre will shortly
be transferred TO the Maison Laintte' on the
Seine twelve miles from Paris
The most brilliant theatrical success OF the
season is a four act comedy. La Mesiere" by
Jules Lemaitre. OF the French Academy pro
duced on Wednesday at the Renaissance Thea
tre and admirably acted by NJ Guitry' by
Marthe Brandes and by Anna Judic 1t Is a play
OF the studio-the story of the love of a gray
haired painter for attractive young pupil
,vbo finally marries the venerable artists son.
Il is an emotional bright. sparkling comedy,
containing nothing repugnant 10 clean Ameri-
can palates. - D.