FRENCH AND FAR EAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18709, 15 May 1924, Page 7

FRENCH AND FAR EAST.

RELATIONS WITH JAPAN

TREATY OR AN ALLIANCE?

AN • AMERICAN VIEWPOINT.

ANTI-GERMAN MOTIVE. FOREIGN OFFICE DENIAL. By Telegraph—Frees Association— (Receired 9.35 p.m.) A. and N.Z.—Reuter. NEW YORK. May 13. The Tokio correspondent of the New York Times states that the official visit of the French Governor-General of IndoChina, M. Merlin, to Japan, is causing considerable speculation in diplomatic circles and in the press. It was originally announced that M. Merlin's mission was chiefly concerned with an extension of the new FrancoJapanese trade treaty to include IndoChina, but the correspondent says he is reliably informed that it has another important purpose. He proceeds: The Japanese Foreign Office contends that it has never been determined whether the Franco-Japanese treaty guarantees of 1907, under which territorial integrity of each other and of Asia was guaranteed, was abrogated by the Washington . FourPower Treaty. The latter abrogated the: Anglo-Japanese alliance. M. Merlin will discuss this question with the Foreign Office, which denies the rumour that a defensive Franco-Japanese alliance, aimed against Germany and Russia is contemplated.

The Tokio newspaper Corozu says: The Anglo-Japanese alliance is now past history, while our relations with the United States and Russia are assuming a grave aspect. A Franco-Japanese rapprochement at such _ a juncture is highly desirable. The Asahi says: The Franco-Japanese treaty guarantees have done much toward the safeguarding of peace in the Far East. A message from Tokio states that the Prime Minister, Viscount Kiyoura, entertained M. Merlin and other French visitors. In proposing their health, he expressed the hope that France and Japan would enter into closer commercial relations that would cement the bonds between the two countries. M. Merlin replied in similar terms.