CHINA AND JAPAN.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 524, 3 June 1909, Page 5

CHINA AND JAPAN.

RAILWAY DISPUTE. BRITISH ALLIANCE NOT AFFECTED. ; JUSTIFICATION OF JAPAN. [BTTEDEartApn—passa association—corttuanT.l (Reo. June 2, 10.25 p.m.) London, Juno 2. Tho regular correspondent of "The Times" at Peking, and a special correspondent of "The Times" who was sent to Tokio, jointly investigated tho dispute between China and' Japan as to tho Hsin-min-tun to Fa-ku-monn railway, an .extension proposed by China and vetoed by Japan. Tlio correspondents wero. shown proofs that China rejected conciliatory proposals before suggesting arbitration cm Japan's proposals, on which Japan is still prepared to resume viate tho danger of a future extension of tho negotiations, and whioh are intended to ob' Fa-ku-merm lino towards Tsitsihar, Manchuria. j. The Tokio special correspondent of "The. Times" emphasises tho anxiety displayed by tho Japanese Ministers in the course of this j investigation to removo all: misoonception concerning the moderation and loyalty of Japaneso policy. Ho states: "Never during previous visits hav'o I received more' abun dant proof of the valuo attached to- British friendship, and tho universal belief in the necessity of maintaining tho Anglo-Japanese Alliance. Tho Mikado confirmed tllcso Sentiments in granting an audience to me and my Peking'colleague on Mpy 29." "Tho Times" declares: "Japan's right to veto railways competing with the South Manchurian line is indisputable. There is little doubt that one of China's objects, in handling Manohurian questions is to create friction between Japan and the other Powers. By giving tho Fa-ku-menn contract, to a British firm when warnod that tho- construction of this line would violate tho protocol of December, 1905, Chinese statesmen hoped to embroil us and our allies. In this they have been disappointed. ' Our alliance and friendship with Japan are, ,bascd too firmly on the interest, of both countries to be seriously aifected by such transparent manoeuvres." . • • [In December, 1905, China pledged herself ,"not to construct any main line in tho neighbourhood of, and parallel to. the South Mnn--1110 Tokio correspondent of Iho 1 lines has.already roported that a lino from Hsin-min-tun to Fa-ku-menn would have comparatively lettlo raleon d'etre, oxcent m tho first section of a road to Tsitsihar. And suoh a road would tap tho trans-Asiatic trftffio, reducing tho South- Manohurian Una to a. local carrier.] ,