Rangitikei Advocate. FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1909. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9346, 15 January 1909, Page 4

Rangitikei Advocate. FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1909. EDITORIAL NOTES.

AT the time of the visit of the American fleet to New Zealand a certain section of the press sought to impress on the public that the United States were the real defenders of the white race in the Pacific, and that Australasia should trust to America rather than to Britain for protection from the so called yellow peril. It was even suggested that a powerful American fleet would have its base at Manila in order to threaten Japan. The expectations of these prophets have been sadly disappointed by the turn events have taken. The American fleet was warmly welcomed in

Japan, and the last English mail brought details of an arrangement between theJUnited States and Japan, which will have practically the force of a treaty. In the new agreement the two Powers Jreoord their desire to encourage the free peaceful development of their oemmeroe in the Pacific, that they severally disclaim aggressive designs, that they define their policy for the maintenance of the status quo in that ocean, and that each of them undertakes to respect the’territorial possessions of the other there. These provisions correspond in some degree with those of Japan’s arrangements with Prance and Russia. There is, however, a further clause, absent from the latter, for which a precedent must be sought in the last agreement of Japan with Britain. By this clause the two Powers bind themselves, in case of the occurrence of any events threatening the status quo or the principle of equal opportunity in China to communicate with each .other with a view to such measures as they may think itfuseful to take. Public opinion in America, so far as can be judged from press statements, has received the announcement of the new understanding with warm and hearty approval

and considers that this proof of the

genuine friendliness of the two Gov- ' ernments will go far to dissipate the last remnants of ill will against Japan which mischievous demagogues sought to work up and to trade upon for their own purposes. Japan has in fact now secured an assured position among the Great Powers of the world which it is useless to ignore. We may disapprove of the colour and fear the competition of her citizens hut hysterical outcries about the yellow peril are useless and the situation, whatever its evils may be, must be faced in a cool and self reliant manner.

A cablegram received yesterday shows that the agitators in California have introduced a Bill into the State Legislature to empower the segregation of Japanese and Chinese in a separate - quarter in towns where they reside, to exclude them from public schools, and put various restraints on their business activities. President Roosevelt characterises the proposal as a piece of folly, bad faith and ijquity, and no doubt the. saner members of the legislature will throw out the measure. So long as aliens are admitted to the country they should receive the same treatment as is expected and received by British citizens in foreign lands.