JAPANESE TREATY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 25, 29 July 1911, Page 5

JAPANESE TREATY.

(Received July 29, 8,5 a.m.) LONDON, 28th July, In the House of Commons, Viscounb \Volmer, Conservative member for New* ton, asked Mr. Mackintion Wood, Un«, der-Secretary for Foreigh Affairs, whether Article sof tho Anglo-JapaneßO Treaty permitted the Japanese Govern* ment to enquire concerning the ovail« Ability of the Australian fleet in the event of war $ whether such enquiry has been made $ whether th© Government in* tended to reply that the action to bfl taken by & Dominion in the event of war was not a subject for ttiecuseioti, ot whether the reply would be in accord* aiice with the full and free consultation stipulated in the Article. Mr. Mackinnon Wood answered : "\ cannot reply to a hypothetical question* The terms of the treaty are public,' 1 ' Article 2 ol the Anglo-Japanese treaty Mads as follows :— "lt, by reason of un» provoked attack 'or aggressive action, wherever arising, on the part of any other Power or Powers either contract* ing party should bo involved" In war in, defence of its territorial rights or special interests mentioned in tho preamble of this Agreement, the other cohtractihg party will at once come to the assistance. of its ally, and will conduct the war ih common, and make peace in mutual agreement with it." The fifth Article prevides that the two Powers shall mutually consult regarding armed assistance in case of war.