Britain and Japan.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 19, 17 July 1911, Page 5

Britain and Japan.

THE NEW TREATY. A NEW MORAL FORCE. THE " JAP." BOGEY REMOVED. By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright. Received 16, 5.5 p.m. London, July la. Articles 3, 4 and 6 do not appear in the new Anglo-Japanese treaty. A new 4th aricle provides that should either of the parties conclude a treaty of general arbitration with a third Power, nothing in the agreement shall entail the obligation on such contracting party to go to war with the Power with whom the treaty of arbitration is m force. The treaty expires in 1921, but only if notice is given by either signatory Power. The Times states that the overseas Dominions' Ministers have given the new treaty their unreserved support, and it therefore carries a new authority and a moral force, representing the first fruits of a great departure in foreign policy. The old treaty would have been determinable in a moment on new factors affecting the situation coming into operation. It was clearly judicious to arrange these matters beforehand. It was notorious that large sections of opinions in the dominions looked askance at the alliance, because they were haunted with the fear that one day it would entangle Britain in a contest with the United States. Such discontent and misgivings in the dominions were now not apprehended. The Japanese themselves helped Britain towards the conclusion of the treaty with the United States.

The overseas' dominions' Ministers were now able to assure their fellow citizens, from their knowledge derived directly from Sir E. Grey, liow invaluable the alliance had been and is likely to be in the cause of the world's peace.

DIMINUTION OF AUSTRALASIAN HOSTILITY. Received 16, 5.5 p.m. ' London, July 15. The Times attributes to the successful establishment of compulsory military training and the creation of a local navy a diminution of Australian hostility to the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. Japan's prowess creates a factor in establishing a sense of national responsibility for Australian ideals, notably that of a "White Australia." The experience of New Zealand was similar, though panicmongering was occasionally observable.