INDIGNANT JAPANESE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1449, 9 May 1905, Page 2

INDIGNANT JAPANESE.

FRANCE AND THE QUESTION OF NEUTRALITY.

GREAT EXCITEMENT IN TOKIO.

Be (Electric Telegraph—Per Press (Association—Copyright. Received 1.10 a.m., May 8.

. London, May 8. The Times’ Tokio correspondent; says that even when on tho verge of war with Russia tho newspapers did not show greater excitement and indignation than now. Tho soberest declare that France has virtually taken arms against Japan. Reference to tho Anglo-Japanese alliance assuming a tone marked with impatience. They declare it is England’s duty to prevent tho interference of third parties. Japan’s confidence in the French goodwill and {pacific purpose is radically shaken. On France will rest the responsibility of carrying matters beyond the realm of diplomacy. The newspapers declare that France has incurred deep discredit, and, by the breach of faith, connived at flagrantly gross violations of neutrality to the great injury of Japan’s vital Interests.

FURTHER DETAILS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 12.50 a.m., May 9.

. _ London, May 8. Details received at Hongkong in regard to provisioning show that Admiral Roshdestvensky was at Kamranh Bay from the 15th until the 23rd. When the facts became known Admiral Jonquireres advised the Russians to depart. Jonquireres was present most of the time. Admiral Roshdestvensky left on the 25th. The French steamer Quanquam, full of contraband, unloaded at Kamranh towards the 23rd, junks and boats transferring the cargo to Russian cruisers in the presence of M. Descartes. This stretching of neutrality, enabled the Russians to proceed to intercept international steamers. When Admiral Roshdestvensky arrived on the 15th he was dangerously short of supplies. r

AI. Delcasse had an hour’s interview with M. Rouvier on the foreign situation on Saturday. The Times says that in the interests of the world’s peace it earnestly trusts the Government and people of France will not remainjunder any illusion as to the great gravity of the situation. M. Monteno requested an explanation of the relations in regard to neutrality. No reply of a satisfactory character wa3 announced up to yesterday at Tokio. The Times declares that our allies’ complaints cannot be evaded and cannot be ignored, *

Received 1.3 a.m., May 9.

The Times, continuing, says: The French do not doubt the warmth of our sinoerity and our feelings towards France. As an earnest of the desire for a friendship that will endure and be developed, they will understand that any action on our part will be inspired by the strongest wish to avert, while there is yet time, the possibilities of an incident which might dissolve the entente and compel us to take an opposite side. For that reason we believe Lord Lansdowne has spoken very strongly to France on the breaches of neutrality alleged to have been tolerated. The situation demands promptitude and firmness in dealing with colonial officials.

The Daily Telegraph’s Tokio correspondent reports that on Sunday France intimated to Japan that the Baltic fleet had been ordered to leave Hankoho. It is bolieved that Admiral Roshdestvensky will make Leonghoi and Hainan his base.