BRITAIN AND JAPAN

Evening Star, Issue 17711, 12 July 1921, Page 4

BRITAIN AND JAPAN

THE TREATY DISOHSSED.

VISCOUNT KATO’S VIEWS.

Press Association—By Telegraph—'Copyright.

TOKIO, July 9. (Received July 12, at 9.45 a.m.)

Viscount Kato, in a speech before the Kcnseijai, of which he is the leader, said that it was not surprising that some people should urge the abrogation of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, since tho measure originally was intended against Russia and Germany, and that necessity had now disappeared. Abrogation of the treaty might not affect tho friendly relations between tho two countries, but it might make people think that something was wanting. Britain might find it necessary to increase her naval strength in the Paofic if the alliance was discontinued. Japan would then also bo compelled to increase her naval strength. Viscount'Kato added: “It appears that opposition has been raised in China and the United States; but it seems uncalled for. I am in a position to state, as one of tho negotiators of tho alliance, that the third party mentioned therein clearly implied the United States. Viscount Grey insisted that the United *States should be mentioned. I took the same view; but the Foreign Department did not like tho idea, and viscount Grey ultimately yielded. There was no provision in tho alliance conflicting with tho 'Anglo-American Arbitration Treaty. China may object to tho use of_ the word China in tho alliance. It might therefore be altered to 1 the Far East.* Tho alliance contains nothing inimical to China’s sovereignty. It is deplorable that the Japanese Government is adopting a policy of extreme secrecy in dealing with the alliance, thereby causing a crop of unfounded rumors.” Viscount Kato concluded: “It is clear that tho alliance continues automatically until it os abrogated.” He urged a renewal with modifications calculated to reassure China and harmonising with tho League of Nations.—A, and N.Z. Cable. [Viscount Kato was Minister for Foreign Affairs 1900-1901, 1906, 1913, and 1914-15. He was Ambassador in London 1894-99 and i9OB-!3.]