New-York tribune., 1905-07-31
BRITAIN BACKING JAPAN.
LOYAL SUPPORT OF Ally
Saghalien May Be stumbling Block
Strong Ne1c alliance

washington. July 3o-Jspsn coma. ?. -.
Washington conference assured that 1vbs,.,-s-
her peace terms may be they will bsva a.
s,-unpsthe'ic approval Of Great Britain Several
suggestions from Washington n ro,so, .h..
the cause OF peace would be served ~,
preston 10 japan from her ally Savorinr mose--
Htion in demands on Russia have nor ,y.5,oz a.
change the British government in tts anns-o-.l
unalterahle determination 10 stand bv lamar
however severe sne may make her conditions
o. peace The British government, furthe-r,or.
has not seen its way clear 10 render assistance
70 Washington IN the efforts which this govern
ment 10 making 70 obtain an aru1istioe Aa,,oa.
reaching here show that London is onnosa5 =
81 sr1nistioe until Japan has been satisfied tba.
the Russian plenpouenuaries are prenared m Do
more than discuss means OF ending the war u
Russia is ready 10 conclude peace and has 50
empowered her plenipotentiaries. Great Britain
it - believed. might favor an a-rnistioe b,,+
even IN such case. il is said. would not be will
ing TO offer Japan advice on the subject.
AS understood in Washington. Lord Lans-
eo~nes position is that the loyal ally OF
Japan. Great Britain can afford 10 take no step
or assume any attitude that might IN the ra-
nlotsst degree rebound 10 the advantage of
Japsa's enemy.
However much Great Britain nav wish nAaca
FOR reasons OF humanity. her loyalty TO Japan
whose pledged ally she IS. prevents her from
bringing. even indirectly. pressure TO bear nv
suggestions. advice or otherwise on Toxic re-
ga-ding negotiations. the effect Of which might
serve 70 moderate Japan's peace conditions or
hasten a truce When Japan asks her ally for
advice the British government, IL is said. is pre-
pared Immediately TO give II, but this advice
vii BE based Japan's interest as q primary
consideration.
This attitude on the part % the British gov
eminent is not misinterpreted - Washington
20 Indicate that iIs officials do not share In the
wish OF the neutral powers for peace It has
been made plain that the activity OF the Presi-
derr has the fun sympathy Of the British peo-
pie. although their first thought. II is held. must
be in The interest Of their ally
Al the same time the British government in
It's exchanges with the American Embassy IN
London has not hesitated 70 declare its con-
hdeuce that Japan's terms will not be unreason-
able. viewed in the light OF the results Of the
var. i was recently said by one cognizaut Of
the British attitude.
London has never. either in the negotiations
preceding The war since the war began.
found Toxic assuming an unreasonable posi-
ton Japan has been exceedingly reasonable
throughout this struggle. ard we ara not at all
spprehensive that she viii bring 10 Washing
able.
japan viii not insist on the dismantling of
vlzdivostok should Russia fail 70 agree 10 It in
return for the naturalization Of Port Arthur. the
cession of Saghalier. which r. is understood.
viii be among the essential conditions, VIII, the
officials here believe. prove the most serious OBJ
srzcIe 70 peace in the Far East. Saghalien had
not been captured when the President opened
his efforts 10 bring the belligerents together.
The .sct that Ut 70 that time Japan had not
taken 2 foot Of Russian territory simplihed, in
th4 opinion of Washington and Berlin, the
problem Of bringing about peace negotiations.
II is understood tonight from source which.
although not official is we'll informed that Rus
sia viii vigorously oppose the cession Of Sagha-
lien. Whether Russia VIII yield in case OF
Japan's insistence on this as a condition prece-
dent 70 peace IS 4 matter Of speculation as far
IS the officials here are concerned, but in quar-
ters friendly 10 Russia serious doubts are ex-
pressed whether NJ Witte brings with him the
authorization 10 Weld Russian territory. or
whether he viii be willing to ask for such au-
thoTity.
Keen interest Is felt here IN the negotiations
which il is understood. are making substantial
head vav between japan and England looking
- the renewal Of the Anglo japanese alliance.
The scope Of the alliance. II is known. viii con-
siderablE exceed the present union. though 10
what extent neither Europe nor Washington has
reen able 10 learn. The announcement OF the
main points Of the new alliance soon after the
conclusion Of the Washington conference would
not surprise diplomatic circles here