The Washington times., 1905-09-27
England and Japan.


Britain aud Japan is wonderfully
brief, to the point, and. in the time
of its publication, opportune- its
ayowed object is general peace In
the regions of Eastern Asia and IN
dia." That its object will be attained
is the belief of the best statesmen
OF both England and Japan. There
can be opposition 10 1t only from two
countries, Russia and Germany, and
even these countries combined would
not dare to test the strength of the
new alliance.
In order to maintain general peace
in the far East the treaty guarantees
the independence and integrity Of the
Chinese Empire and the maintenance
of what is known as the open door
both of which policies are indelibly
stamped, Made in America"
1t is to be noted that the alliance
is not strictly one of defense, for un-I
der Article / provision is made for
measures which should be taken TO
safeguard" any of the rights and in
terests referred to in the preamble"
including, of course, 'sthe mainten-
ance of the territorial rights of the
high contracting parties in the re-
gions Of eastern Asia and of India"
In other words the two powers, the
preponderating influences of the far
Eastern world, will not wait for ac-
tual attack, but will meet aggression
on their interests.
Lovers of peace the world over will
welcome this alliance. True, the
treaty bristles with threats of war;
but to whom? The threat is only
their own aggrandizement, would dis
tul-b the peace of the world by upset
ting the present status in the East.
France will not be tempted to in
fringe on the rights of either Japan
CT England, the United States has no
temptation to violate any article of
the treaty. nor is any possible oppo-
sition to 1t to be found anywhere in
the world outside of Russia and Ger
many
Russia, by the recent treaty of
peace with Japan and by the alliance
of Japan and Great Britain, is bound
hand and foot so far as her Eastern
pretensions are. concerned. Her ac-
tivities, henceforth, must be confined
within her present boundaries or ad-
dressed toward the Mediterranean
Nor will this be of other than advan-
tage to Russia, for that country has
now nothing of value to give the race
and needs all her energies Tor her
internal Improvement. Russia has
more ahead of her than any of the
great powers and it is a blessing to
her, though her rulers may not sc
regard ii, that further expansion Is
practically forbidden. Hereafter Rus.
sia will confine her political mission
airy work TO the home department
where ii is most needed.
How Germany may receive the new
alliance is not of great Importance
outside of that country. Her hand!
are tied in the East, and it is quite
possible they are about to be tied in
the West by the entente between
Great Britain and France. So long
as her present fever of militarisn
continues TO rage, the more she is tiet
the better For the German people
the world has only love and admira
ton; for their present military des
eots there is cordial hatred and con
tempt, not only in the outside world
but in Germany
The present alliance ought to b,
a tremendous stride toward universe
peace. By making war in one-hal
of the world impossible. it may, in
connection with other recent alli
ances and ententes, make it mos
unattractiye in the other half. 1t is ;
move in the right direction, at al
events, and threatens no one who Il
not now threatening the world.