BRITAIN AND JAPAN.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3205, 3 June 1909, Page 5

BRITAIN AND JAPAN.

FAKUMEN RAILWAY DISPUTE. A DODGE THAT FAILED. CHINA'S TRANSPARENT MANOEUVRES. United Press (Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright. Received June 2, 10.25 p.m. LONDON, June 2. The regular correspondent at Pekin of "The Times," and also that paper's special correspondent, sent to Tokio, [have jointly investigated the Fakumen railway dispute, and have been shown proofs that China rejected conciliatory proposals before suggesting arbitration in regard to Japan's proposals, whereon she is still prepared to resume negotiations intended to obviate the danger of the extension of the Fakumen railway line towards Tsitsihar,

The Tokio correspondent of "The Times" emphasises the anxiety displayed by the Japanese Ministersi n. the course of this investigation to remove all misconceptions concerning the moderation and loyalty of the Japanese policy. The correspondent states;—" Never during my previous visits have I received more abundant proof of the vaiue attached to British friendship and the universal belief »S to the necessity of maintaining the Anglo-Jap&. nese Alliance. The Mikado confirmed these sentiments in granting an audience to me and my Pekin colleague on May 29th." "The Times" declares that Japan's right to veto railways and competing in South Manchuria is indisputable. "Thefe is little doubt," says the paper, "that one of China's objects in handling the Manchurian questions is to create friction between Japan and other Powers."

"The Times" adds: —"By giving the Fakumen contract to a British firm when they were warned that the construction of the railway would violate the protocol of December, 1905, Chinese statesmen hoped to embroil us and our allies. In this they were disappointed. Our alliance of friendship with Japan is based too firmly in the interests of both countries to be seriously affected by such transparent manoeuvres."