ANGLO-JAPANESE ALLIANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1921, Page 5

ANGLO-JAPANESE ALLIANCE.

NORTHCLIFFE'S MANILA SPEECH. COMMENT BY THE TIMES. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Oct. 25. The Times, in an editorial on Lord Nortbcliffe’s Manila speech, says: “When all the nations concerned in the i Pacific understand the extent to which they are interested in precluding catastrophic contingencies, there is strong reason to hope that such contingencies may not arise.

No power can have any true or lasting interest in the promotion of a conflict in the Pacific. Britain, the United States and France are only interested in the restoration and preservation oi peace throughout the world. We have every reason to believe that strong influences iu Japan, are working to safeguard Japan’s position as a great civilised power on lines compatible with international concord in the Far East, though it is known that some elements are carrying on propaganda and creating a different impression. The British Empire is an ally of Japan, though not her ally against the United States. Opinion in England is divided regarding the renewal of the alliance, and we do not accept the view* that Japan sets 1 little store by the alliance, as reflected in certain circles in Japan. It is natural that there should be different schools of thought on the question, but it is vital that England should have a firm grasp without clashing. Japanese policies in the Far East have hitherto been somewhat ignored, but we are firmly convinced that if Japan holds I that peace is the only object consonant with her immediate and ultimate welfare the conference at Washington will offer her an unequalled, opportunity of securing her future in co-operation with other Pacific Powers.”