PACIFIC TREATY.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1921, Page 5

PACIFIC TREATY.

RENEWAL UNNECESSARY. AGREEMENT STILL BINDING. UNLESS IT IS REVOKED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, July 1. The Lord Chancellor's statement that the Anglo-Japanese Treaty, unless denounced, continues automatically comes as a bombshell. The Foreign Office has been criticised for having permitted the conference to remain in ignorance. Speeches on the subject were made in the belief that the renewal was a matter of urgency, not brooking delay. Had the Dominions been frankly informed before the departure of the Prime Ministers there would have been saved a vast amount of public, political and press misunderstanding, speculation and heartburning all over the world. The tardy recognition of the true position modifies the whole character of the conference. The fact that the treaty does not need renewal and cannot immediately be annulled removes the Premiers’ most anxious preoccupations. In a year’s time the whole matter may be viewed from a totally different standpoint. Important questions remain for the conference, but the Chancellor’s discovery alters the whole angle of the Dominions’ attitude towards the largest international problem. JAPANESE VIEWS. ON TRUSTING AMERICA. London, July 3. The Australian Press learns that Japanese circles are much gratified at the attitude of Australia and New Zealand over the renewal of the treaty. Many leading Japanese regard the possibility of an entente between Britain. America and Japan as the best possible solution of the situation. There are some Japanese, however, who argue: How are we going to trust America; she signed the Versailles treaty, bpt ignored it and made, her own peace with the Central Powers. We would want some guarantee that the changing administrations would ‘respect their predecessors’ signature. AMERICA AND JAPAN. JAPAN WANTS FRIENDSHIP. Received July 4, 5.5 p.m. Washington. July 3. M. Shidehar (Japanese Ambassador), in a statement, declared that the AngloJapanese alliance was never intended to be an instrument of hostility or defence aghinst the United States and the Senate’s failure to approve the AngloAmerican arbitration treaty did not affect this. Japan was naturally anxious to strengthen the ties of friendship and loyal co-operation with the British Empire. There was also a fixed determination that nothing would hamper Japan’s traditional goodwill towards the United Stales; both affiliations were somplimentary and essential. Japan fully realises that any venture at aggression in China would be hopeless of attainment- and destructive to Japan’s security. Japan desires to cultivate relations with China of mutual helpfulness and the alliance never exerted influence in other directions. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.