The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-04-22
FRENCH NEUTRALITY
QUESTION CONSIDERED IN LON.
Don TO Be SERIOUS.

VIII K(Q0GO SAU\UVO eye " HUSe
sian Fleet as It's Base and Act
Accordingly.
London, April 19.-Japanese diplo-
mats and others in London regard the
alleged breaches of neutrality by
France in allowing the Russian second
Pacific squadron to remain over time
on the Cochin China coast as one Of
the most serious developments in the
situation.
Minister Hayashi and Baron Suye-
matsu, former japanese minister Of
the interior, were both seen by the As
ISOLATED Press, but they were disin-
clined to give q hasty expression Of
opinion or to anticipate official advices
giving the facts as to the period the
Russian ships may stay in French
waters.
Minister Hayashi was particularly
reticent, and he said he preferred to
await confirmation of the reports which
have appeared to indicate serious
breach of neutrality.
Refuses to Believe u.
Baron Suyematsu, who took q view
that was very far from alarming, said
that if the reports were true Japan
would have good cause to complain.
Japan, however, had no intention Of
seeking q quarrel with France. and
added:
"Japan is far from coveting Cochin
China, as has been imputed in some
quarters. do NOT think that France
is encouraging the Russian squadron
to misuse French friendship. On the
contrary, believe that France is real
~ anxious to avoid trouble on account
Of the Pacific squadron. In fact, I
think responsible Frenchmen regard
the squadron as an unwelccme guest,
and therefore I am fully convinced
that France will manage the matter in
such way as to avoid being compro-
missed"
The latest news from the far East
shows certainly that portion Of the
Russian second Pacific squadron was
still coaling at Kamranh bay Saturday
morning, April 10.
This news was brought to Singapore
by the British steamer Sui Sang, and
to Hongkong by the French steamer
Phuyen. The former merely reported
passing the Russian ships at II O'Clock
in the morning. The Phuyen's officers
saw twenty vessels coaling in the bay,
and it is suspected that the remainder
Of the feet was inside the harbor.
According to the Daily Nails corre-
spondent at Singapore the Sui Sang,
which was not molested by the Rus.
slams, sighted big French warship
two hours later fourteen miles to the
Southwark, evidently proceeding to
Kamranh bay.
Forces Arc Divided.
The piecemeal character Of the news
excludes the posi- bllity Of any acour-
ate estimate of the movements of Vice
Admiral Rojestvensky's squadron, but
it would seem to show that the vice
admiral has divided his forces, a por.
ton Of which went Northward before
Saturday. What has happened since
then it is impossible to say, and there
is no clear evidence even that the Rus.
slams have been within the three mile
limit, which would bring them, &C.
cording to International regulations
into infringement Of French neutrality
The fact that they were visible to pass
ing ships would appear to show that
they were outside the limit.
japanese sentiment, however, ia
greatly disturbed. The correspondent
at Tokyo Of the Daily Telegraph, says
he has no hesitation in declaring that
should occasion arise and her prelimi.
nary protests be ignored Japan will
regard any anchorage occupied by the
Russian feet as its naval base and deal
with the situation accordingly. A dis
patch from Saigon states that q guam
tity OF goods purchased there have been
delivered to portion Of the Russian
feet of the coast of Indo- China.
1t is impossible to locate Sampelac
point, off which, according to the Daily
Mail correspondent, sixteen japanese
cruisers and other craft were scouting
on Tuesday morning; but the Daily
Mail thinks the japanese feet was
maneuvering to prevent the Russians
from entering the Pacific between the
Philippine islands and Formosa.
POSSIBLY DECLARE
war ON FRANCE