OLD AND TRUE. THE ANGLO-JAPANESE TREATY AMERICAN VIEW.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 45, 22 February 1908, Page 5

OLD AND TRUE. THE ANGLO-JAPANESE TREATY AMERICAN VIEW.

"A STATELY PROCESSION OF WARSHIPS." Dy I'clcgraDh. -Press Association.-- Copyright. NEW I'ORK, 21st Februaiy. The Hen. Whitelaw Reid, United States Ambassador to England, was entertained at a banquet last e\ening by the Pilgrims' Club in New York, on the eve of his returning to London. In tho course df a speech, Mr. Reid ridiculed ths sensational nonsense published in the press about Britain's obligations to sustain Japan in the event of the latter country being involved in a war against the United States. First, he baid, there was not the ghost of a piobability df any war with Japan. In the second place, the Anglo-Japanese treaty simply provided that in the event of any aggression on Japan's recognised territorial rights in the East Great Britain would sustain her. Only a lunatic, Mr. Reid continued, could believe that tho United States would cross tho Pacific and try to rob one of her oldest and truest friends. He referred to the stately procession of warships peacefully bearing the American flag around the Western Hemisphere, recalling to America its commanding position, not merely in relation to the Atlantic, but to tho Pacific Ocean, which is to cairy tho commerce of the tAvcntieth century. The objects cf the Anglo-Japanese Agreement are : — The consolidation and maintenance of the general peace in the regions of Eastern Asia, and India ; the preservation of the common interests of all Powers in China by insuring the independence and integrity of the Chiuesc Empire and the principle of equal opportunities for the commerce and industry of nil nations in China, and the maintenance of the territorial rights of the contracting parties in the regions of Eastern Asia, and of India, and the defence of their special interests in the said regions. If tho rights and interests referred to above are in jeopardy the tivo C4overnments will consult as to the measures to be taken to safeguard thoso inenacmfe rights or interests, and will act in ccnP mon in case- of unprovoked attack or aggressive action, Avhcrevor arising, on the patt of anY other Power or Powers.