ASGLO-JAP ALLIANCE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1920, Page 2

ASGLO-JAP ALLIANCE

QUESTION OF RENEWAL. By Electric Telegraph—Copy'uht.) (Boeoued This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, May 6. The. “Daily /Express” Toldo correspondent states a vital question in the British world policy must be decided before the 20th. July when the AngloJupa.teye AjJjance becomes terminable. They iir« either a. party on a years notice after that date. AngloJapanese foreign offices are already discussing the question. Japanese opifjiprf hopes for a. renewal. Japanese judge the alliance by its value to them and do not complain if we apply the same criterion. Even Jingo newspapers which jeered at Britain during the dark days of 1916, are agreed on the heed for a renewal. Those taunts regarding the one-sided nature of the alliance were merely an echo of the military party’s cockshure admiration of Germany and the open belief that Japan baokpcl the wrong horse. Those taupts peed not he remembered for ever. We would be fools to forget that the Japanese take ag entirely realistic view of such ' commitments. The alliance can be a priceless safeguard of peace in the Par (Ensf, if flip original purpose is emphasised, namely, the preservation qf common interests in Cjiiua, by enduring China’s independence and the principle of equal opportunities. Japan has locally fulfilled her alliance obligations as far as they relatcd to her part In war. There is a difference in opinion regarding the polidy towards China, bujb there is now "a. most valuable opportunity of discovering definitely Japan’s aims in j Qhina and Russia. A renewal of the Alliance would give Japan the opportunity of revising the mistakes of her military party.