EASTERN PROBLEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1915, Page 12 (Supplement)

EASTERN PROBLEMS.

JAPANESE RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN. Tokio, August 29. There is nothing much talked about in Japan just now but alliances. In a previous article I told you of the coming Russo-alliance, and since that was written the local newspapers have been full of matter relating to Japan's relations with other Powers. How she is going to best conserve her interests in the struggle for position in world supremacy both now and after the war, is Japan's greatest concern to-day. It cannot be denied that the latest reports of the Russian retreat have had an effect in diplomatic circles here which causes a Britisher not a little concern at first. There are one or two of the Japanese newspapers of the yellow type showing themselves just a little antiBritish, and they are demanding of the Ministry that it should seriously consider whether the Anglo-Japanese alliance should not be, at any rate, revised, so that Japan can remodel her foreign policy. The Ministry has just passed through a serious crisis; Baron Oura, Minister for Home Affairs, has been found guilty of bribery, an*l the whole Cabinet has undergone reconstruction. Baon Kato, the Staunch friend of Britain, who held the Foreign Affairs portfolio, gave up his post and refused to reaccept it, and his withdrawal into private life is one of the greatest biows which could ever befall Britain's relations with the Orient. Count Okuma, the Prime Minister, an old man of eighty, with the vigor of a youth of twenty-one, was Baron Kato's closest friend, and he—let all Britons be thankful—has taken upon himself the office of Foreign Affairs, and now has the most responsible position ever cast upon a man of hi 9 years. With all this tribulation at home, and the magnitude of the problems arising from the European storm, where is the right path for I Japan ?

ALLIANCE NOT IN DANGER. Unquestionably the greatest stroke of Japanese diplomacy was the alliance with Britain, and now this is the 'subject of much discussion. I do not believe, after talking with persons intimately connected with the guidance of Japanese affairs, including Count Okuma and Baron Kato, that there is the slightest indication that the Anglo-Japanese alliance is in danger, but the insistent domands of a section of the Press points to an early revision of Japan's relations with several powers, including those with Great Britain.

A week or two ago the "Yamato," a newspaper which is famous in Japan for its international discussions—whether it really carries much weight with the intelligent Japanese is another matter—concluded a leading article with the words:—"Japan has done, and is doing so much for Britain in this hour of her need, but Britishers are not thankful enough for it." The "Yamato's" writer took as his main reason for the necessity of a revision of the Anglo-Japanese alliance the attitude of some British merchants in China against Japan's interests there. Japanese trade ha 3 reached big dimensions in the northern Chinese provinces, where she has administrative control, and the British merchants sometimes find Japanese interference irritating and difficult to fight against. But because that is so, it is another thing to say, as the Yamato suggests, that all the British community in China is hostile to the Alliance. Nor does this seem to be sufficient reason for asserting that Britishers are not grateful to Japan for clearing Germany out of Eastern waters. A BOND OF SYMPATHY. A very short stay fn Japan will satisfy anyone that the Japanese do sincerely appreciate and are grateful for the benefit of the Alliance. Their attachment to ci-erythiiifl UritNi is-' amazing. Allowing for that secret anti-foreign vein which every race possesses to some degree, one must grant that the foreigners for whom the Japanese entertain the most unfeigned feelings of friendship and respect are the British. English is the best understood of the foreign languages here. The manners, customs, traditions, temperament of the English are better understood tha/i those of any other people. The English institutions, political, social and scientific, are more ai'mncd and emulated than those of any other count''v / was in th? quarters (i the aviation corps the other day, and the only pictures adorning the walls were those of Grahame-White ami other English flying men. The Japanese aviators care not a rap for spectacular exploits. In short there is a greater bond of sympathy between the Japanese and the lir ; tish than between the Japanese and any other foreign country. ADMIRATION FOR GERMANV. For Germany it must be confessed that the Japanese have great .admiration mid wonder. It i?, of eom-..e, the German military organisation which inspires an exaggerated notion of her greatness. Japan has put down (he German stronghold at Tsingtau with remarkable facility, and of course it refleets great credit upon the military prestige of Japan to exaggerate the prowess of German soldiery. But towards the German people in general the Japanese never entertain any tender emotion. The Kaiser is as much abhorred here as elsewhere, and somehow there is a widespread impression that the Germans are terrible materialists and machiavellians, who will love you as long as it serves their purpose to do so, but not a moment longer.