The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-02-14

tion by Mr.. Henry Norman. member for
South wolverhamptcn, IN the House OF
Commons yesterday. viseount Cranborne.
under secretary FOR foreign AFFAIRS. said
the substance OF the Apglo-Japanese
agreement had been communicated TO
the United States. which had not yet ex-
pressed an opinion on it.
In reply 90 further question as 10
whether the alliance applied TO Manchuria
and it's occupation by Russia, and wheth-
or the agreement had received the adhe-
sion OF the German government. yiscount
Cranborne said Manchuria was no more
excluded than any other province In chi
ma. The substance OF the agreement had
been communicated 10 Germany.
Mr. Henry Norman moved the adjourn
ment of the house, technical formaiity
affording the opportunity OF discussing
the treaty
Mr.. Norman wanted to know what
Great Britain was committed 10. He said
apparently the British policy was tied
hard and fast TO the wheels of Japan, and
Great Britain might be forced into war
i'm direct opposition To her interests. Tho
treaty was evidently directed against
Russia.
Mr.. Norman asked IL the government
had tried to come 10 terms with Russia
might claim that Great Britain was going
about seeking allies against her.
NOT HAsTY AGREEMENT.
Lord Cranborne. replying on behalf OF
the government, stated that the agree
ment had not been arrived at I'm haste.
It's origin was In the governments desire
TO maintain the status quo. the open door
and the integrity Of China.
Almost every other power had accepted
these as principles OF policy and Japan
had done SO especially in view of her po-
sition in Corea, which they recognized.
With regard 10 China we have worked
on the most cordial terms with the
United States. tCheersD | think 4 might
say that In almost every crisis and In
every small difficulty that has arisen
during the negotiations In Pekin the rep
resentative OF the United States and the
representative of this country have near
~ always acted together. tCheers) No
doubt I'm this agreement We will command
the full approval OF the government OF
the United States.
Lord cranborne declared that the con-
tracing parties were bound 20 undertake
mutual defence only when danger was
due to the aggression Of others. The pow
or called upon TO help the other must be
the judge whether the conditions OF the
treaty had been fulrilled.
NOT SATISFIED
Sir William Vernon Harcourt said he
was not satisfied with the governments
assurances, especially it's motives for con-
Guiding the treaty. What was the status
quo I'm the Far East, especially Manchu-
ria, and what n Japan were attacked by
a great. overwhelming single power?
Was there no obligation to prevent her
being crushed by single power More
over, II there was a far eastern war II
would not be confined to China and the
Thax ha he ~
ed by opponents capable of pouring un-
limited forces into Persia and Afghanis-
tan and across the Indian frontier. Con-
seduently. the government WAS stalking
upon the throw OF dice the peace and the
future OF india. The ailied fleets would be
engaged I'm the Mediterranean and Baltic
well az in the China seas.
is not the government, he asked, un-
dertsking such "A responsibility lightly?
At time when IL was piling up mil
lions OF debt. when " was compelled 10
search throughout the British posses
sions 10 strengthen it's army, when IL
had actually depleted the defences of
india to get more troops, IL ought To
have had much further information re-
spectine the operations OF the treaty and
the perils 1t might involve.
CONTRARY TO TRADITION.
The treaty embodied policy thst was
contrary 10 the wholesome traditbns OF
Great Britain for nearly century.
These had suddenly been abandoned 10
embark upon a policy, the future of
which nobody could forecast policy
which bound the allies TO maintain The
integrity and Independence of China Tor
tive years at the price Of war IL neces-
sary.
All treaties OF this nature had an inn
mense evil. They imposed upon those
signing them the necessity for doing
what would be disastrous To their for
tunes. or threatened them with disaster
at the prospect OF refusing TO act. which
would be injurious to the nations credit.
Sir Henry bell-Bsnnerman, the
Liberal leader. said NiscOunt Cranborne
had not given reason for taking the
present step whereby the country lost
the advantage oi freedom. The interests
of Great Britain, Japan and the United
States. he said were identical. Could
not these interests have been sufficiently
secured by an interchange of notes In
stead OF by an explicit undertaking?
MIR. Balfour said. III II We're possible
for two powers 10 coalesre against Japan.
the latter would either be crippled,
OF. In order TO prevent being crippled.
compelled To modify her policy. II is
not good for Great Britain that Japan
he crippled or compelled TO modify her
policy and the treaty has evidently rem
dered both contingencies impossible.
1T has been suggested that the treaty
WhrN Nv uUttttuutN W VtUtf naUonN. "
was nothing of the kind. II was entirely
desirable that Great Britain be on cor
dial and friendly terms With Russia. and
that no lack OF confidence divide the
governments of those countries.
GUARD AGAINST DANGERS
The dangers that the treaty guards
against are dangers OF AN adventurous
policy on the part of the Russian gov
ernment I'm the FAR east We are far
from expecting any such policy on the
part OF the present Russian government.
but " u well known that there are on
the continent OF Europe schools OF
thought which favor the carrying ont OF
such schemes.
Whether such schools will ever gain
such influence as 20 endsnger the peace
Of the world, ] DO not know. I trust