Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-12
RUSSIA STARTLED
By An Alliance Between Eng.
land and Japan.
The Object Is Said to Be the Preser'
walton of China.
Direct Blow to Russia and Will Be
Anxiousiy Watched.

London, Feb. u.-An important par
liamentary paper was issued, tonight
giving the terms of a political alliance
between Great Britain and Japan fol
the preservation of China and COrea
The paper says that the agreement
may be regarded as an outcome of tn,
Ievents of the past two years. Through
the Boxer troubles Great Britain ant
Japan had been in close and uninter
rupted communication and actuated by
similar views.
I'VE each desired" says Lord Lans
dowRe, that the integrity and indie
Ipendence of the Chinese empire should
be preserved and that there should b.
no disturbance of the territorial statr
quo, either in China or the adjoining
regions"
Lord Lansdowne further says that
the British government was largely in
1uenced in entering upon this impor-
tant contract by the conviction that il
contains no provisions which can be
regarded as aggressive or self-seeking
He says it is concluded merely as a
measure of caution and that it in nc
way threatens the present position or
legitimate interests of other powers.
The following are the terms of the
agreement:
The governments of Great Britain
and Japan. actuated solely by a desire
to maintain the statu quo and general
peace in the extreme East and being,
moreover, especially interested in
maintaining the independence and ter
ritorial integrity of China and -Corea,
and in securing equal opportunities in
those countries for the commerce and
Industry of all nations, hereby agree
as follows:
Article 1.-The high contracting par
ties. having mutually recognized the
| Independence of China and Corea, de-
clare themselves to be entirely unin-
| fiuenced by any aggressive tendencies
IN either country. Having in view,
however. their especial interests. Of
which those of Great Briatin relate
principally to China while Japan in adj
d1tion to the interests she possesses in
CHINA is interested in a peculiar de-
gree, politically as well as CONNER
cially and industrially in Corea, the
signators recognize that it will be ad-
missable for either of them to take
in order to safeguard these interests,
if these be threatened either by the
aggressive action of any other power.
or by disturbances arising in China or
Corea, necessitating the Intervention of
either of the contracting parties for the
protection of the lives and property of
it's subjects.
Article 2-If either Great Britain or
Japan, in defence of their respective in
terests as above described should be-
come involved in a war with another
power, the other contracting party will
maintain strict neutrality and use it's
efforts to prevent other powers from
Joining in the hostilities against it's ally.
Article 3-If in the above event, any
other power or porwers should join in
hostlities against that ally, the other
contracting party will come to it's as
sistance and will conduct war in CONF
mon and make peace in mutual agree
ment with it.
Article 4-The contracting parties
agree that neither of them will with
out consulting the other, enter into sep
arate arrangements with another power
to the prejudice of the interests above
described.
Article 5--Whenever in the opinion of
either Great Britain or Japan. the above
mentioned interests are jeopardized, the
TWO governments will communicate
with one another fully and frankly.
Article 6-Provides that the agree
ment come into effect Immediately, re-
main in force for five years and he
binding for year after either partv
denounces it. But if, when the date
liked for the expiration of the agree
ment arrives either party thereto is ac-
tually engaged in war, the alliance
shall ipsO facto continue until peace 10
concluded.
The agreement Is signed by Lord
Lansdowne and Baron Hayashi the
Japanese minister to Great Britain.
These ministers so well kept the secret
that the paper. issued after Parliament
had adjourned for the night, announc-
ing the first important alliance between
a western and yellow or Asian race, |
comes as startling surprise to the !
public and although the idea of an al |
lance with Japanese is likely to meet !
with general approval, the outcome of
this sensational departure will be an !,
ticipated with no little anxiety. 1t is |
regarded as direct move against Rus |
STA and to explain the abandonment of !
the colony Of Wei Hal Wei.
London, Feb. 12.-Referring editori-
ally to the British-Japanese alliance,
the morning papers. to whom the agree !,
ment comes as startling surprise, ask
many pertinent questions concerning it. I
the Daily News saws.
Our magnificent isolation has come
to an end with a pretty sudden shock.
the treaty is indicative of an
aEti-British coalition with the Far
East. whether it marks the tearing up
of the Anglo-American treaty and
the visit of Prince Henry to
America is an answer to the new naval
allowance, are matters of speculation.
We hope the government will lose no
time in further calculating the situa-
tion.''
The Daily Chronicle asks whether the
alliance will in any way affect the posi- I
ton Of Manchuria. and says that for