Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-04-27
FRANCE HEARS
JAP PROTEST
OBJECT TO PRESENCE OF RUS.
SIAN SQUADRON IN KAN
RANH BAY.
SEEKS TO ALLAY JAP FEARS
DELcAssE POINTS OUT PREcAU-
TONS TAKEN TO INSURE
FRENCH NEUTRALITY.
RUSS FLEET PASSES FORMOSA
REPORT THAT RoJESTVENSKY
GOT THROUGH WITHOUT
MEETING TOGO.

fdTlS, April ". - ACLlnS upon III
structions from his government DR..
Montono, the Japanese minister to
France, called upon Foreign Minister
Delcasse yesterday and submitted rep
reservations on behalf of Japan con-
corning the presence of the Russian
secon Pacific squadron in Kamranh
bay An official communication issued
after the meeting states that Minister
Motonos action had not the SHAPE Of
formal protest against Frances vi
olation of neutrality, but was to OBJ
tain assurances that France would OBJ
serve strict neutrality.
Notwithstanding the official version,
it is evident that the intention and eff
feet of Minister Motono's action is in
the nature of a protest.
Seeks to AIIay Fears.
Foreign Minister Delcasse respond
ed to the representations Of the Jap
anese minister by pointing out the
precautions heretofore taken to pre-
serve neutrality and the special in
structions recently sent to the gov
ernor of Indo-China to take care to
prevent violation of neutrality. NJ.
Delcasse sought to allay the fears of
Japan, which he maintained had not
been raised by facts.
The exact terms Of Japan's repre-
sensations have not been disclosed,
but it is understood that while having
the usual courteous form Of diplomacy,
tboU fOrtA fbat
sions had been aroused by the stay
OF the Russian warships in Kamranh
bay and the urgent desire that French
neutrality be
Placed Beyond Doubt.
The terms of the French response,
although not given out, tend to give
ample assurances upon all the ques-
lions laised. Besides these general
assurances the conference doubtless
permitted the exchange of the French
point of view concerning the stay of
Russian warships in Kamranh bay 1t
is maintained that this was at the
most brief sojourn and not pro-
longed stay, official information lead
ing to the belief that the squadron
actually left Kamranh bay last Sun
day. No Japanese ships were in the
vicinity during the stay of the Rus
that it had not the character -. 49,.
OF Giving Asylum
to a belligerent against the attack of
an enemy. Moreover, it is maintained
the size Of Kamranh bay permits ships
to enter and anchor without being in
French territorial waters. Further
more, officials say that France had not
previous knowledge that the Russian
second Pacific squadron intended 60
Ing TO Kamranh bay, and, therefore,
fad no opportunity to foresee or guard
against the visit.
1t remains for Toxic, to which the
French reply was sent, to say whether
the assurances are considered suffi-
Gent
The opinion prevails here that M.
Delcasse's reply is of a nature to avoid
serious complications.
Passes Straits of Formosa.
st. Petersburg, April 22.-The min
1SCry OIL nnance mas received q tele-
gram from a confidential agent at
Shanghai giving rumor that Vice Adj
miral Rojestvensky has already passed
the Straits Of Formosa without encoun-
tering Vice Admiral Togo.
British Not Worried.
London, April Observation-Disclosures
emphatic protests of some of the
newspapers and shrieks of indignation
from the lingo press, British govern
1nent officials decline tn admit that
there is anything ip the Far Eastern
naval situation to cause excitement or
to show that it approaches an acute
stage.
Jap Armies Move Northward.
st. Petersburg, April pa telegram
from the seat of war in Manchuria
states that the Japanese armies are
advancing northward. preceded by
cavalry.
Bio Elevator DESTROYED,