With reference to the negotiations with the Powers concerned in connection with the coaling and provisioning of the Baltic fleet, it is stated on high authority that Japan had at first asked explanations of Denmark, Spain, and France. The Paris Foreign Office accepted a part of the Japanese representations, but the replies of the Spanish and Danish Governments proved unsatisfactory. In consequence, Japan has been compelled to lodge formal protests and the negotiations are still continuing. As to Holland and Portugal, Japan has only had to warn them, as their territories were on the way of the Russian eastward voyage. Japan has also warned Germany beforehand against violation of neutrality on the occasion of the appearance of the Baltic foot off German South-west Africa, and the Wilhelmstrasse is said to have replied that the Russian warships would not call in German territory. Angra Pequeiia, German Africa, where the Russian fleet is ported to have recently taken in coal, is shallow within a distance of twenty milos from shore, and that the Russians acted independently outside the German territorial waters. The contentions of the Japanese Government in this contest are that to supply belligerent men-of-war 50 as to enable them to reach the ne home port is excusable, but the coaling
which is on its declared voyage for the provisioning to the Baltic squadron, seat of war, constitute. distinct violation of neutrality. On the whole, the Powers concerned continue to be evasive: unnaturally some naval secti that Japan should yo to the length of availing herself of neutral ports, as is done by the Russians.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.