ANGLO-JAPANESE TREATY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13006, 25 October 1905, Page 5

ANGLO-JAPANESE TREATY.

VIEWS OF MR. JOHN MOELEY.

S- A LEAP IN THE DARK,

THERE MAY BE SURPRISES.

By Telegraph Press Association Copyright.

(Received October 2d, 0.41 p.m.)

London, October 24. Mr. John Morley, M.P., speaking at Arbroath yesterday, said his feeling was that the treaty with Japan was a leap in the dark. Both political parties had long objected to definite entanglements for long terms, even with European Powers. Time would show if it had opened up risky possibilities too vast to be judged offhand and left out of sight simply because we quite rightly admired the pluck, skill, and tenacity o? the Japanese. He added : "We must look at it with open eyes and be prepared for surprises, and these may spring up in China. The treaty is loose, rather than vague. Although there may be good reasons for that, it is a good treaty viewed from the fact that we do not take territory arid do insist upon the open door for commerce. The situation, while it lasts, will work for good, provided the enormous problems it involves are adjusted by the Government or its successors with sanity, moderation, and nicety.

"Whatever else the treaty does, it will facilitate an understanding with Russia. lam not sure whether it will calm the restless, fidgety minds in India."

He added that the moving force of the general election was not Imperialism nor militarism, but social reform.