THE PACIFIC.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 275, 13 August 1908, Page 7

THE PACIFIC.

WILL BRITISH BATTLESHIPS RETURN? JAPANESE ALLIANCE. THE AMERICAN PRESS TALKS OF ITS TERMINATION. (Bit TELECItAPH—PBESS ASSOCIATION—COmtIQIIT.) (Reo. August 12, 11.20 p.m.) London, August 12. Many American newspapers refer to tlio disappearanco of British battleships from the Pacific, and doubt whether they will return, even after the probable termination of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance in 1910. (?) BRITAIN IN THE PACIFIC. AN AMERICAN VIEW OF THE ALLIANCE. It is not clear how the Anglo-Japanese Agreement (which binds the two allies to act in common in case of unprovoked attack or aggressive action) can be terminated in 1810. Tho Agreement distinctly stipulates that it is to remain in force for ten years from August 12, 1905., i.e., till August 12, 1915. The Agreement has enabled Britain to considerably roduce her naval strength in Pacific and Eastern waters. Last year it was reported in the "Standard" that Britain had decided to establish a Pacific and North American Squadron, based upon Esquimault; but this report was denied. The rumour served as a text for sonio remarks by the New York "Herald," which are sufficiently interesting at tho present stage to quote. The Now York journal asks:—

"What events are expected in those waters which call for the formation of a 'Pacific and North American Squadron'? The measure cannot bo dictated by distrust of tho United States, with which Great Britain's relations aro so remarkably amicable that only a short time iigo the British naval forces in the North Atlantic wero reduced to their simplest expression, British interests in the North-Western Atlantic being regarded as sufficiently safe under the protection of the United States to justify that reduction. Is the measure inspired by uneasiness regarding the projects of Japan? A change has certainty come over tho spirit of England's dream since she began to realise that in building up Japanese power sho was undermining her own. The creation of a new naval station in the Pacific has not been decided upon without some grave reason. What can it be?

"It is a sineular_ coincidence that this outburst of naval activity occurs simultaneously with an outflow of pacific declarations from British statesmen and politicians. According to Sir Edward Grey, in his speech at Berwick, and to Sir Charles Dilke, there is not a cloud on the international horizon. Yet it is note-

worthy that both speakers avoided studiously references to the United States in connection with Japan. This reticence is very comprehensible. With the Japanese Alliance on ono hand, and, on the other, an obligation, based on racial interest and blood relationship, to co-operate with the United States rather than against it 'in a conflict botween America and Japan, England is between the devil and the deep sea. If she acts up to the letter of hor alliance with the brown raco she signs her own death warrant as a great Power. She is not likely to follow such a suicidal policy."