THE FAR EAST.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7387, 13 February 1902, Page 2

THE FAR EAST.

AN IMPORTANT TREATY.

GRRAT BRITAIN AtfD JAPAN JOIN HANDS.

London, February 12. Britain and Japan have signed a treaty of alliance. The treaty lasts for five years, and took effect from January 30th. The preamble describes Great Britain aud Japan as actuated solely by the desire to maintain the status quo and general peace in the Far East, and to safeguard the special interests they have in maintaining the independence and territorial integrity of the empires of China and Eorea,,and securing equal opportunities therein for the commerce and industries of all nations.

Article one declares that Great Britain and Japan are not influenced by any aggressive tendencies in either country, but in view, however, of their special interests— whereof those of Britain relate principally to China, while Japan, besides the interests she possesses in China is interested to a peculiar degree politically, commercially, and industrially in Corea— tbe high contracting parties recognise it will be admissible for either of them to take such measures as may be indispensable in order to safeguard those interests if threatened either by the aggressive action of any other tower, or disturbances in China or Corea necessitating intervention of either of the contracting parties for the protection of lives and properties.

Article 9 states that if either Britain or Japan in defence of their respective interests above described become involved in war with another Power, the other Ally will maintain strict neutrality and use efforts to prevent others joining hostilities against the Ally. Article 3—lf3 — If in the above event any Power or Powers join in hostilities against the Ally, the other contracting party will come to its assistance, conduct the war in common, and make peace by mutual agreement with- it. Article 4 : The Allies" agree that neither, without consulting the other, shall enter into separate arrangements with another Power to the prejudice of the interests described above.

Article 5 : Whenever in lhe opinion of either party the interests described are in jeopardy, the Allies shall communi cats with one another fully and frankly. Article 6 : The agreement is subject to notice, 12 months prior cb the expiration of the five years, of the intention to terminate. Unless such notice be given it will terminated a year after announced by either; but if at the expiration of the agreement either party is actually engaged in war, the alliance shall continue until peace id arranged. Received February 13, 9.17 a.m. London, February 12. Lord Lansdowne in a letter to Sir Claude Mac Donald, British Minister at Tokio, states that the policy of the new Allies bas proved identical in aiming to prevent disturbances in the territorial states of China or the adjoining regions.

Tbe Times bespeaks the great satisfaction of Britain and America over the alliance, preventing possible attempts with the sword to secure a monopoly of China's riches.

The Ministerial organs agree that the opportunity is now afforded China to freely develop from within. On the whole, the alliance ought to strengthen Anglo-Japanese counsel at Pekin; and such a clear statement of policy is really conducive to the world's peace.