THE FAR EAST

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1920, Page 5

THE FAR EAST

ANGLO-JAPANESE ALLIANCE. QUESTION OF RENEWAL. By Telegraph.—Press Assa.—Copyright, Received May 7, 12.20 a.m. London, May 5. The Tokio correspondent of the Daily Express states a vital question in British world policy must be decided before July 20. The Anglo-Japanese Alliance becomes terminable by either party on a year's notice after that date. The Anglo-Japanese Foreign Offices are already discussing the question. Japanese opinion hopes for a renewal. The Japanese judge the Alliance by its value to them, and do not complain if we apply the same criterion. Even the jingo newspapers, which jeered at Britain during the dark days of 1916, are agreed on the need for a renewal. Those taunts regarding the one-sided nature of the Alliance were merely an echo of the military party's cocksure admiration of Germany, and an open belief that Japan backed the wrong war horse. Those taunts need not be remembered for ever. We would be fools to forget that the Japanese take an entirely realistic view of such commitments.

The Alliance can be a priceless safeguard of peace in the Far East if the original purpose is emphasised, namely, the preservation iby the Powers of common interests in China by ensuring China's independence, and the principle of equal opportunites. Japan has loyally fulfilled lier Alliance obligations as far as they related to her part in the war. There is a difference in opinion regarding the policy towards China, but there is now a most valuable opportunity of discovering definitely Japan's aims in in China and Russia. A renewal of the Alliance woulcLgive Japan an opportunity of reversing the mistakes of her military party.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.