THE FAR EAST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1571, 29 September 1905, Page 2

THE FAR EAST.

OPINIONS OF PRESS.

By telegraph, Presa Ass’n,. Copyright London, Sopt 27. The Blue Book shows that hi the pro* amble to the new treaty it is stated that the Governments and Britain and Japan ore desirous of replacing the agreement of 1902 by fresh stipulations. They have agreed to tbe following articles, huviug for their object first the consolidation and maintenance of general peace in tho regions of Eastern Asia aod India ; second, the preservation of common interests of all tho Powers in China by insuring the independence and integrity of the Chinese v Empire, and the principle of equal oppor- - jjr. tunities for commerco and industry for ell nations in China; third, tho maintenance of territorial rights of the high contracting parties in tho first named region and tho defenoe of their special interests in the said regions. ■> Article J, is article five of the old agree ment, and reads : “ Wherever, in the opinion of either Great . Briiain or Jspßn the above mentioned interests are in jeoardy, the two Governments will communicate with one another fully anS frankly." Tbe following addition is made : “ Aod to consider common measures to safeguard their rights and interests." Article 11. states: “If by reason of an unprovoked attack or aggressive aotion, wherever arising, on the part of any other Power or Powers, either contracting party should be involved in war in defence of the territorial rights and interests mentioned in the preamble, the other shall immediately come to tho assistance of her ally and conduct a war in common and make peaoe in mutual agreement with it." Artiole 111. states: “ Japan, possessing paramount political, military, and economic interests in Corea, Britain recognises the right of Japan to take sneh measures for the guidance, control, and protection of Corea as she may deem proper and necessary to safeguard and advance those interests, provided always that it is not contrary to the prinoiple of equal opportunities for commerce and industry for all nations.” Article IV.: "Britain haviDg epeoial interests in all that conoerns the security of the Indian frontier, Japan recognises her right to take such measures in proximity to the frontier as Bhe may find neoessary for safeguarding her Indian possessions.” Article V. is artiole 4 of tho old agreement, and is as follows: “ The high contracting parties agree that neither of them will, without consulting tbe other, enter into separate arrangements with another Power to the prejudice of the interests above described." > Artiole VI.: 11 As regards tbe present war, Britain shall continue her strict neutrality, unless some other Powers join in hostilities against Japan, when Britain will l come to the assistance of her ally, and nse f her efforts to prevent other Powers from joining in tbe hostilities," Article VII.: “ The conditions under which armed assistance shall be afforded under the ciroumstances mentioned and the means whereby assistance Bhall be made available shall be arranged by the naval authorities of the contracting parties, who from time to time shall mutually consult, fully and freely, on all questions of mutual interest-" Article VIII. is artiole 6 of the old treaty, but decade is inserted instead of quinquennium. It reads: " The _ present agreement Bhall come into effeot immediately after the date of its signature, and s remain in force for 10 years from that date. In case neither of the high contracting parties should have notified 12 months before the expiration of the said 10 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 partiee shall have denounced it. But if, when the date fixed for its expiration arrives, either ally is aotually engaged in war, the alliance shall, ipso facto, continue until peace is oonoiuded.” ‘ The agreement was signed by Lord Lansdowne at Inncb at Westminster Hall and forwarded the day after peaoe was signed to our Ambassador at St. Petersburg and Paris, because Russia and France were the two outside Powers with the greatest interest in the question. The newspapers recognise that the Government desired to place tbe alliance with Japan above the vicissitudes of political ohange3 in Britain for a decade. A majority declare that the text of the agreement ha 9 fulfilled expectations more definitely than was anticipated. : Lord Lalnsdowne, in a covering not?, states be believes the contracting parties may count on the good-will and support of all the Powers. The first two objects, while in their special interests, are of a ; kind whereon they are fully entitled to insist. The announcement that they mast be safeguarded is not surprising, and need % cause no misgivings. ’ , The Times recognises that tbe allieaYv, special interests in India and Korea are closely related and parts of a single problem. It refers to the abjuration by Britain of the delusion long renounoed by our better-informed allies that the Asiatic question can be dealt with in watertight compartments. , . The Daily News demurs seriously to novel revolutionary instrument arranged without" a hint to the delegates of the people and depending on the stability and resources of a now Power. Moreover, it upsotß every previous theory of Imperial defence,' ■

; The Daily Ohroniole says it is curious that such an instrument could be concluded without the advice and consent of the people, but euoh is our constitution! and the consequences must be loyally accepted. A treaty seouriog the Btatus quo in Asia ought to facilitate a good understanding in Europe aud also in the East, Great Britain must now faoe the question of military organisation.

, PRO-JAPANESE IN AUSTRALIA. By telegraph. Press Ass’n, Copyright Received 1.81 a.m., Sept 29.

, t . . Melbourne,.Sept 28. Notice of motion has been given in the Senate affirming the desirability of the Commonwealth negotiating a treaty with Japan. In the House Mr Bruce Smith moved that thu time has arrived for differentiating Japanese from other Asiatics, placing them on a similar footing to European races. The debate was adjourned. "

HOW THE TREATY WAS RECEIVED.

By telegraph’, Press Assj’p,. Copyright Received 11.47 p.m., Sept. 28. . . London, Sept 28. Renter’s Berlin correspondent states that Britain has communicated the text of the Anglo-Japanese alliance to the various Governments.

i German comments on the Anglo-Japan-eso treaty are divided. Some reoommend closer relations or a oounter alliance beI tween the Kaiser and the Czar. The terms of clause four are viewed with alarm at St. Petersburg. It is considered I susceptible of the widest interpretation. There is great satisfaction in Japan, and there are illuminations at Tokio, but the I reference to India is not regarded with I entire favor in some quarters. I The Pall Mall Gazette says that the I renewing of the treaty with Japan is the begmmng of a new age. It suggests the pos. sibiltty of a frank understanding with Russia, adding: “ With the north west I ‘fontiorßooureweneed not be uncompromisingly hostile to Russia’s natural desire to reach the sea in the Persian Gulf,” 1 American opinions of the treaty are congratulatory. . Prenoh are most favorable, predicting an end of appeasements. The safety of French Indo-Ohina is considered to bs strengthened,