Britain and Japan.

Manawatu Herald, 18 February 1902, Page 2

Britain and Japan.

The Japanese Diet greeted the announcement of the treaty of alliance with Great Britain with tremendous cheers.

It is declared by the Japanese press that the alliance assists the preservation of peace. Chinese statesmen are surprised and delighted at the treaty, which gives British prestige in the Par Past a tremendous impulse. Diplomatists in Pekin predict that as a consequence of the Anglo-Japanese alliance the Manchurian Treaty between Russia and China will not be’ signed. . German newspapers \unammoualy represent the treaty as a distinct check to Russia, and rather advantageous to Germany. The Paris newspaper “ Debata ’ says that Britain has achieved a great SUCCeSS. _ ;; In Manchester the opinion is that the “ open-door ” policy secured by the British-Japanese Alliance will be of value in protecting Britain’s important interests. Count Cassini, Russian Ambassador at Washington, who was formerly Minister at Pekin, says the treaty will neither hasten nor retard the evacuation of Manchuria.

Lord Cranborne stated that the substance of the treaty was communicated to the United States and Germany prior to its publication. The Anglo-German agreement was still operative. A debate was raised by Lord Cranborne’s statement '•

Lord, Cranborne added that the treaty was originated solely for commercial reasons. Anxiety as to the. maintenance of the status quo policy in the second spheres of influence was objectionable to all China ought to be open to commerce and enterprise on certain conditions. The action of the -allies was strictly limited. Great Britain’s navy and the nearness of Japan’s military base would enable both countries to maintain their policy. Lord Rosebery approves of the Anglo-Japanese treaty. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman said “We are in substantial agreement with regard to the policy, but differ as to the methods. The aims of the treaty might have been attained by an interchange of diplomatic Notes instead of by an explicit undertaking of great obligations.’’