The Evening Star FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1902.

Evening Star, Issue 11682, 14 February 1902, Page 4

The Evening Star FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1902.

The Treaty with Japan is probably the best piece of work that tiie Grent Britain P«*eut Imperial Government *nd Japan, have achieved during thenterm of office. We do not know whether the chief credit of the transaction belongs to Lord Salisbury or to Lord Lansdowne, bat it is obvious thai a diplomatic triumph of no mean order has been accomplished. The fact that Japan should have been ready and glad to enter into such close relations with Great Britain affords ample proof that the prestige of the Empire remains absolutely unimpaired—a state 01 matters which jealous Continental nations are unwillingly constrained to admit. Moreover, it is by no means improbable that the recent expressions of Imperial protest in reference to Continental slanders have had an appreciable effect in furthering the ratification of this valuable engagement. These an<rv protests, proceeding from every part of the Empire, may well (in conjunction with the previous manifestations of Imperial solidarity) have afforded Japan a final proof of the desirability of the suggested connection; nor can the Mikado and bis Ministers have failed to observe the marked change of tone by which the demonstration was followed on the part of the Continental Press. As for the Treaty itself, its general trend and specific 'provisions must alike be approved by every nation that has a conscientious desire for international peace and a sincere disinclination for mere self-aggTandisement. It would be affectation to assume that Russia is one of these nations, and it is at present certain that the Government of the Czar will be bitterly, though perhaps tacitly, chagrined. Some other nations may be inclined to grudge Great Britain such a conspicuous diplomatic achievement, but signs are not wanting that this instinctive jealousy may be weakened by more solid considerations concerning the peace-securing effect of the new Treaty. The contracting parties will be benefited, without any injury accruing to the legitimate interests of other parties; while the stability and integrity of the Chinese Empire will be secured, and (as 'The Times' says) any possible attempt with the sword to secure a monopoly cl China's riches will be prevented. Lord Lansdowne, in his covering despatch, observes that Great Britain and Japan both " aimed at preventing disturbances in the ter"ritorial States of China or the adjoining "regions"; and it can hardly hi questioned that the Treaty manifests a spirit 01 genuine disinterestedness on the part of the contracting Governments, and a singlehearted anxiety for the peace of the work" and the permanent fairness of international arrangements. We venture to think that in this respect it marks a notable stage in the history of civilisation and human progress. At the same time, in speaking of the disinterestedness of the contracting parties we do not mean to simply say that Great Britain and Japan have no definite interests which they are determined to safeguard : what we mean is that they have no aggressive designs, no eye to further annexation, no wish to rob any other Power ot its clear rights. Definite interests of there own they undoubtedly have—Great Britain in China, and Japan in China and Corea*— but the safeguarding of these interests is quite compatible with the maintenance ot the similarly legitimate interests of Russia or any other Power. In short, the Treaty need not have an unpleasant effect on any nation whose policy and aims are honest and reasonable, and in accord with the established principles of international comity.