The Press Monday, October 1, 1923. Peace in the East.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17882, 1 October 1923, Page 8

The Press Monday, October 1, 1923. Peace in the East.

The impudent denunciation of Britain by Italy (in Friday's cables) as "a false "friend" is a European way of indicating that Britain has been a true friend. But tho Asiatic way is also peculiar. A recent issue of tho "Japan Weekly "Chronicle" draws attention to an outbreak of Anglophobia in those Japanese circles abovo all which ought to be immune from such a disease. The "Anglo-Saxon Alliance," the editor of the* Japanese ."Diplomatic Review" saya, haa given rise to a "sub-conscious " desire to efface Anglo-Saxon influence "by a combination of Japan, China, " Russia and Germany." The argument is that, generally, there are " three unite of peace-": (1) the peace of Europe; (2) the peace of America; (3) the peace- oi the Far East. That is to Bay, the peace of the Far East is ono of the three legs on" which the peace of the world stands, and tho three nations on whom that peace most depends" are Japan, Russia and China. "If America and Britain interfere in the Far East, that proves only "that there is something wrong with '"the relations of the other three "Powers." Japan does not, however, propose to apply a Monroe Doctrine to the Far East: it is sufficient to emphasise the "doctrinal basis of a self- " assertive policy," and to show her "respect and spirit of conciliation for "America and Britain by dispensing "with, their interference or intervon- " tion in the business of tho Far East." To dispense with their aid in that quarter is of course to give them more time to securo the peace, of the world in other quarters. But tho trouble, the "Review" proceeds, is that there is a sohool of public men in Japan (unfortunately, at prosent, in control) who consider it more important to "remain friends with "Britain and America than to lose "Russia, Germany and China." They will not strike an alliance with Rustia in case that should hurt the feelings of Anglo-Saxondom, though it is to be hoped, the article continues, that sensible statesmen in Britain and America will realise, before it is too late, that "the world is not "tho private property of the Anglot" Saxons." Relapsing for a moment into bitterness the journal says that "international morality is that which " Britain and ArceSca choose to do," but it adds hastily that if the AngloSaxons would cease worrying themselves over the resumption' of relations between Japan and; Russia—would in fact facilitate resumption—they would have "reason to congratulate themselves on "tip prospect of one of the great "pillars of the peace of the world "beinp; rendered solid by the amity of " the throe nations, Japan, Russia and "China." It is a curious way of recognising tho {increasing friendliness and helpfulness of Britain on which Japan has fed .and waxed fat. The "Anglo-Saxon Alliance," if by alliance is meant something threatening and domineering, is about as dangerous to a peaceable Japan as it has proved these lost few weeks to a filibustering Italy. The "Japan Weekly Chronicle" says bluntly, but in strict accordance with fact, that tho "practical effect of " the Washington Naval Treaty was to "make attacks on America and Japan "impossible, but to leave Europe to " stew in her own juice, and that when "it comes to describing the Treaty of " Versailles as an international bath of " allegiance to Britain and America, a "consideration of what Britain and "America gain by the Treaty reveals "the expression as one merely of ran."cour." What Britain gained was the cares, and the gross ingratitude, of half the world.