ANGLO-JAPANESE AGREEMENT

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 47, 24 February 1904, Page 3

ANGLO-JAPANESE AGREEMENT

THE TREATY AT LENGTH. In view of events which may eventually lead to a practical reference to the Anglo-Japanese agreement, it may be worth while to recall the test of, thist important document: The Governments of Great Britain and Japan, actuated solely by a desire to maintain the status quo and general peace in the extreme East, being moreover specially interested in maintaining the independence and territorial integrity of the Empire of China and the Empire of Corea, and in securing equal apportunities in those countries for the commerce and industry of all hereby agree as follows:.

Article I. —The high contracting parties, having mutually recognised the in-» dependence of China and Corea, declare themselves to be entirely uninfluenced by any aggressive tendencies in either country. Having in view, however, their special interests, of wliich those of Great Britain relate principally to China, while Japan, in addition to the interests which she possesses in China, is interested in a peculiar degree politically, as -well as commercially and in» dustrially, in Corea, the high contracting parties recognise that it will be admissible for either of them to take such' measures as may be indispensable in order to safeguard .those interests if threatened either by the aggressive action of any other Power, or by disturbances arising in China or Corea, and necessitating the intervention of either of the high contracting parties for the protection of the lives and property of its subjects.

Article II. —If either Great Britain or Japan, in the defence of their respective, interests as above described, should become involved in Avar with another Power, the other high contracting party will maintain a. strict neutrality, and use its efforts to prevent other Powers from joining in hostilities against its ally.

Article lII.—If in the above event any other Power or Powers should join in hostilities against that ally, the other high contracting party will come to its assistance, and will conduct the war in common, and make peace in mutual agreement with it.

Article IV.—The high contracting parties agree that neither of them -will, without consulting the other, enter into separate arrangements -with, another Power to the prejudice of the interests above described.

Article V.—Whenever, in the opinion of either Great Britain or Japan, the above-mentioned interests are in jeopardy, the two Governments will communicate with one another fully and frankly.

Article Vl.—The present agreement shall come into effect immediately after the date of its signature, and remain in force for five years from that date. Txt case neither of the high contracting parties should have notified twelvemonths befoie the expiration of the- said five 1 years the intention of terminating it, it shall remain binding until the expiration of one year from the day on which ! either of the high contracting parties shall have denounced it. But if, when the date fixed for its expiration arrivee either ally is actually engaged in war, the alliance shall, ipso facto,. CQJjtiIUM until peace is concluded, „.' — —