THE FAR EAST

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1920, Page 2

THE FAR EAST

| JAPAN IN CHINA. 1 1 BRITISH-JAP ALLIANCE.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.' (Received this day at 10.20 a.m.) 4 LONDON, March 22. The “Manchester Guardian” draws attention to Japan’s loan to China, under an agreement. for common defence measures in Manchuria, and the tenor of a note announcing Japan’s readiness to give up Kaiocliau, and withdraw the troops guarding Shantung railway. The paper declares this to be a new policy, and suggests that Japan feels confronted with a new situation in the Far East. She is therefore initiating a modified policy. She is now endeavouring to secure a paramount position in the Far East untrammelled bv extra Asiatic interference, as a result of Europe’s absorption in the war, and is using economic penetration rather than military intervention, such j as she is authorised to employ in Siberia, under the mandate, as representing the anti-Bolsevik powers. Japan now hopes to establish a Far Eas- . tern Monroe Doctrine, with herself as the natural guardian. The Australian Press Association learns that there is little reason to doubt that the Marquiss of. S'aidnji. when he visited London after the Peace Conference, broached with Lord Curzon I the question of renewing the Javanese | .Alliance. Unless Stlie Treaty is denounced before July 13th., it continues automatically on a year’s notice, for a further decade. It is believed there will be certain modifications, but in any case the Treaty must be reviewed and receive the approval of the League of Nations. It is also suggested that whether in view of the creation of theLeague of Nations, there is a necessity for a continued alliance and the question may be raised whether the interests of Australasia, and Canada would best be served by a renewal of the alliance which is bitterly resented by China, which supported the League of Nations at Paris, in the hope that the l Alliance would be discontinued, while its existence may prevent- An-glo-American relations being placed on the most satisfactory footing. It appears almost certain that negotiations are now proceeding as to whether the Alliance be renewed recast or rescinded. Tin's will depend largely upon the opinion atul experience of the Dominions.

Arguments in favour of a renewal seem to depend largely upon die insecurity of Northern Australia and Hong Kong, and to a lesser degree of Singapore. Admiral Jellicoe’s plan to have a powerful British fleet based on Singapore and the not impossible co-opera-tion of America in opposition to any Japanese attempts at aggression, would effectively guard these points. If the Alliance is not renewed, it is unlikely that Japan will seek an alliance with the powers beaten in tile war, from whom she can obtain little advantage. It is understood the War Office and Admiralty are not unfavourably disposed towards a renewal of the alliance.