Notes

New Zealand Tablet, 20 August 1914, Page 34

Notes

Mr. Hilaire Belloc as War Expert

}Ve direct attention to the remarkable article by Hilaire Belloc—written nearly two years before the present war began—which appears elsewhere in this issue. Every syllable of this prescient article has already been verified to letter.

A Vanishing Debt

We publish elsewhere in this issue a letter written by Bishop Grimes, which contains an interesting announcement regarding the present position and r prospects of the debt on that architectural gem. of the Southern seas, the Christchurch Cathedral. The debt has now been reduced to the modest sum of .£5000; and a generous diocesan has promised to contribute £SOO towards the immediate extinction of the liability provided that nine others can be found who will do the same. Bishop Grimes’s whole action in regard to. the erection of this magnificent edifice has been an heroic act of faith ; and so far his faith has been abundantly justified. He has seen the debt drop steadily and surely from £30,000 to £20,000, then to £IO,OOO, and now to the relatively insignificant sum already mentioned. There are doubtless nine’Catholics in the Christchurch diocese alone, and many times more than nine throughout New Zealand, who could' easily give £SOO for such a laudable purpose, and, as the colloquial saying has it, never miss it. Those so circumstanced should count it a happiness and privilege to be amongst the last ten to aid in freeing this noble fane from the last vestige of liability, and in making it, in very deed and truth, the House of God. We trust that the necessary benefactors will be quickly forthcoming ; and that at an early date we shall have the happiness of congratulating the beloved Bishop on the crowning of his life work and on the realisation of His’ dearest hopes. v '

The Anglo-Japanese Agreement

In view of the peremptory and extremely important ultimatum which has been sent to Germany by Japan, and of the announcement of the latter’s intention, in a certain contingency, to take action under the AngloJapanese Alliance, our readers will be interested in knowing the terms of ‘ that Treaty and exactly ’ how matters stand between the two nations. We therefore transcribe in full the text of the Anglo-Japanese Agreement, as signed at London on August 12, 1905.

Preamble.—The Governments of Great Britain and Japan, being desirous of replacing the Agreement concluded between them on the 30th January, 1902, by fresh stipulations, have agreed upon the following Articles, which have for their object— = r ' (a) The consolidation and maintenance of the general peace, in the regions of Eastern, Asia and of India;

(b) The preservation of the common interests of all Powers in China by ensuring the independence and integrity of the Chinese Empire and the principle of equal opportunities for the commerce and industry of all nations in China; ,

(c) The maintenance of the territorial rights of the High Contracting Parties in the regions'/ of ■ Eastern Asia and of India, and the defence of their special interests in the said regions: Art. —lt is agreed that whenever, in the opinion of either Great Britain or Japan, any of the rights and interests referred to in the preamble of this Agreement are in jeopardy, the two Governments will communicate with one another fully and frankly, and will consider in common the measures which should be taken to safeguard those menaced rights or interests. _ Art. ll.—lf, by reason of .unprovoked' attack or aggressive action,, wherever arising, on the .part of any other Power or Powers either Contracting, Party should

be involved in war in defence of its territorial rights or special interests mentioned in the preamble of this Agreement, the other Contracting Party will at once come to the assistance of its ally, and will conduct the war in common; and make peace in mutual agreement with it.

,‘.,y Art. lll.—Japan possessing paramount political, military, and economic interests in Corea, Great Britain recognises the right of Japan to take such measures of guidance, control, and protection in Corea as she may deem proper and necessary to safeguard and advance those interests, provided always that such measures are not contrary to the principle of equal opportunities for the commerce and industry of all nations.

‘ Act. IV.— Great Britain having a special interest in all that concerns the security of the Indian frontier, Japan recognises her right to take such measures in the proximity of that frontier as she may find necessary for safeguarding her Indian possessions. Art. V.The High Contracting Parties agree that neither of them will, without consulting the other, enter into separate arrangements with another Power to the prejudice of the objects described in the preamble of this Agreement. '7 Art. Vl.—As regards the present war between Japan and Russia, Great Britain will continue to maintain strict neutrality unless some other Power or Powers should join in hostilities against Japan, in which case Great Britain will come to the assistance of Japan, and will conduct the war in common, and make peace in mutual agreement with Japan. y '' 7 Art. Vll.—The conditions under which armed assistance shall be afforded by either Power to the other in the circumstances mentioned in the present Agreement, and the means by which such assistance is to be made available, will be arranged by the naval and military authorities of the Contracting Parties, who will from time to time consult one another fully and freely upon all questions of mutual interest. Art. VIII.- —The present Agreement shall, subject to the provisions of Art. VI., come into effect immediately after the date of its signature, and remain in force for ten years from that date.- . .>

In case neither of the High Contracting Parties should have notified twelve months before the expiration of the said ten years, the intention of terminating it, it shall' remain binding until the expiration of one year from the day on which either of the High Contracting Parties shall have denounced it. But if, when the date fixe<jt. for its expiration arrives, either ally is actually engaged in war, the alliance shall, ipso facto, continue until peace is concluded.

In faith whereof the undersigned, duly authorised by ;. their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement, and have affixed, thereto their seals.

Done in duplicate, at London, the 12th day of August, 1905.

(L.S.) Landsdowne,

His Britannic Majesty’s Principal Secretary of . State, for Foreign Affairs. . (L.S.). Tadasu Hayashi, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan at :the Court of St. James. , . * ■ .i 1 ■ 1

Japan is evidently determined to cut in somewhere in ; the present struggle—presumably for what she can get—and in view of the ingenious use which she is making of the terms of Article I. of _ the above Agreement, it will, apparently, be difficult to prevent her.