The Daily News. FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1905. THE ANGLO-JAPANESE ALLIANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7826, 19 May 1905, Page 2

The Daily News. FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1905. THE ANGLO-JAPANESE ALLIANCE.

It is somewhat curious that Just at this time, when the probable renewal of the Anglo-Japanese alliance is being, discussed, the Kaiser has thought fit to make another of his fantastic orations, in which he denounced tlio Japanese asi "the scourge of God." With that peculiar method which he finds it convenient to adopt when he has uttered something, especially, foolish, a, scapegoat had to be found, so we learn by cable that a prosecution has been ordered of German newspapers on a charge of Jese majesto for publishing the. speech in which Japan was so grossly insulted. Most people will consider this is (only adding injury to insult, but William the Heady has method in his madness, though he never seen:s to heed whither that autocratic will of his may lead hiim. That ho is fretting at the isolated position occupied by Germany at the present time is obVious, and like a spoilt child he is playing up all round. Fortunately, his fantasies are thoroughly well known, and though we

may not be disposed to regard him as utterly irresponsible lor such un-

pardonable effronts as that offered to yet it ie contrary to reason to lake him too seriously. Assuming,, however, that the German Emperor for once in a way means what he says, we fcre brought face to face with the question as to whether this marvellous monarch has some deeply laid scheme for accomplishing the task which has proved too great for Itussia—the defeat of the Japanese. His chivalric soul may be comtemplating as a mission the crushing of this "scourge," ere it grows to ,ae a serious menace to German ambition. Then, again, may it not reasonably be inferred that apart from this so'.fimposcd task" there 13 an ulterior motive of aggrandisement at tb») expense of Great Britain ? With Japan (England's, ally) crushed, awl Russia

eager for revenge on both Powers, the possibility of a coalition may hold out a tempting prospect of glory, riches and power with the Kaiser as the Emperor of hair the world. What a glorious dynasty to hand down to his descendants ! Tho only drawback to this alluring prospect is its utter (impossibility. Much au wo must all appreciate (in the true sense of tho word) the Kaiser's insatiable ambition, thcee are certain patent inconveniences to its fujlilnieut which need not be enlarged upon. Great Britain and her colonies, the United States, Italy, Japan, and other nations aye npt so blind to their own. interests as to favour for a moment any such wild scheme for [altering the map of the world. It is, in the first place, admitted by all who desire to preserve the peace of the world that Chinese territory j must be protected from aggression. The British Prime Minister has an-

nounced in the plainest terms that [Russia will ?tot be permitted to ap'proaeh India by way of Afghanistan. The United States may safely be relied upon to protect their own interests, which practically means

.ranging themselves by the sirio of .Great Britain, so that there. arc a few stumbling blockg in the way of the fascinating schemes which prpb,ably occupy the Kaiser's fertile and ■fiery bnain. The Anglo-Japanese treaty has still a year and a lnlf to run, and ere that time arrives it is probable that our ally will have altered the present political divisions of. jtko Asiatic Continent, and d:>on eel, the high hopes of tho Kaiser for his .cherished desire to share the Spoil. ,There is every reason for anticipating that the treaty will be regewed;, though prpbP'bly not on exactly the same lines, The imperious Kaiser

has again over-reached himself, and 'in his haste shown ]Lo the world I the shadow which eluded his grasp. |By insulting Japan hu has revealed jtho measure of his anger at the jfrustration of bis plans by that Power, and' proved beyond all question Jtho wisdom and necessity of a permanent alliance between Japan and England,