ANGLO-JAPANESE ALLIANCE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 248, 14 July 1921, Page 5

ANGLO-JAPANESE ALLIANCE

RENEWAL WITH MODIFICATIONS URGED SPEECH BY VISCOUNT KATO By Telegraph—Prejs Association—Conrright Tokio, July 0. Viscount Kato, in a speech before the Kenseikai Party, of which he is the lender, said that it was not surprising that some should urge llie abrogation of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, since the measure originally wna intended against Russia and Germany, and the necessity in that direction had disappeared. Abrogation might not affect the friendly relations of the two countries, but it might make 1 the people think that something was wanting. Britain might fiud it necessary to increase her naval strength in the Pacific if tho alliance was discontinued. Japan would then also he compelled to increase her naval strength. Viscount Kato added: ‘‘lt appears that opposition has been raised in China and tho United States, but it seems uncalled for. lamin a position to state, as one of the 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 same view, but tho 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 may object to the use of the word ‘China’ in tho alliance, and it might therefore be altered to ‘Far East.’ The alliajieo contains nothing inimical to China’s sovereignty. It is deplorable that the Japanese Government should adopt a policy of extreme secrecy in dealing with the 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.