ANGLO-JAPANESE ALLIANCE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 247, 13 July 1921, Page 5

ANGLO-JAPANESE ALLIANCE

RENEWAL WITH MODIFICATIONS URGED SPEECH BY VISCOUNT KATO By Telegraph—Press Association—Conyright Tokio, July 9. Viscount Kato, in a speech before the Kenseikai Party, of which he is the leader, said that it was not surprising that some should urge the abrogation of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, since the measure originally was intended against Russia and Germany, and tho necessity in that direction had disappeared. Abrogation might not affect tho friendly relations of the two countries, but it might make the people think that something was wanting. Britain might find it necessary to increase her naval strength in the Pacific if the alliance was discontinued. Japan would then also be compelled to increase her naval strength. Viscount Kato added: "It appears that opposition has been raised in China nnd the United States, but it seems uncalled for. lamin a position to state, as one of tho negotiators of the alliance, that the third party mentioned therein clearly implied the United States. Sir Edward Grey insisted that the United Sates should bo mentioned. I took the samo view, but the Foreign Department did not like the idea, and Sir Edward Grey ultimately yielded. There is no provision in the alliance conflicting with the Anglo-American Arbitration Treaty. China mav object to the use of the. word ‘China’ in the alliance, and it might therefore be altered to ‘Far East.’ Tho alliance contains nothing inimical to China’s sovereignty. It is deplorable that the Japanese Government should adopt a policy of extreme secrecy in dealing with tho alliance, thereby causing a crop of unfounded rumours.” Viscount Kato, in conclusion, said that it was clear that the alliance continues automatically until abrogated. He urged its renewal, with modifications calculated to reassure China, and harmonising with the League of Nations.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. .