The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1905-10-21

inc puDlcallOn OF the treaty OF alll
ance between Japan and the British
Empire Is the most notable interna-
iional event since the war came to a
close. says Robert ELLIS Thompson in
the Irish World.
1t is not surprising that our Ameri-
can newspapers have received with
something like awe. and that some
have welcomed ii as fresh guarantee
of peace in Asia and throughout the
world We are SO much given to talk
,ng European, and especially English
diplomacy, at "its face value" that our
newspaper comments on such an event
as this are probably the most worth
less that are printed anywhere in the
wide world. only one of our great
dalies" has the common discretion to
suggest that what lies on the surface
is not what may be meant in reality by
The documents; and not one Of them
seems to have had the caution to look
UP the rules of International law as to
he construction of such treaties as
This.
The first aspect of the treaty ds the
immense descent 1t represents In Eng
lisl, diplomacy, in that the London
government asks an Asiatic power to
guarantee its possessions in Asia, by
IL seeming promise to come to the help
of the British empire, If any other
power should attempt an invasion of
India. In this respect it Is one OF the
results Of the I3oer war. 1t was that
war which brought home to Great
Britain her friendliness among the peo-
pies of Europe, whatever their govern
ed her how uncertain q reliance the
British army has become, under the
| control of the young, pleasure-loving
IInglishman, who has modelled himself
after the example set by the present
king and his good-for-nothing broth
crs. In view of the immense RESPONSE
bilitics and perils created by the ex-
tension of English authority over so
large a part of the earth, 1t is natural
reflect what body of clfindulgent
lncapables the officers of that army
have shown themselves, how ignorant
of all that belongs to the trade of the
soldier. how destitute o. practical initi-
ative in any trying situation, and how
calmly Indifferent to their own short
comings even after these have brought
on frightful disaster. 1t Is easy to talk
Of "army REFORM" but out Of what
materials are the officers of the re-
formed army to be constructed? What
social class is to furnish them? Where
is the spirit that animated Wolfe and
Nelson and Wellington to be found
among the trihers, who sec English su-
periority in every department of life
slipping away from them, and care for
Nothing but their social engagements
and opportunities for pleasure?
So as Rome negotiated with outland-
ish peoples for the defense Of her
crumbling empire, England flies to the
Japanese for safety to India, and bids
the yellow men do for her what her
sons can do no longe~. But the reed
on which Rome leaned broke and
pierced her hand. as will every such
reliance upon alien support for an en-
pire. High handed vigor and self-reli-
ance are the qualities which build up
empires, and when these disappear the
artificial congeries of peoples goes to
pieces of its own weight, no matter
what assurances may be bought from
outsiders by diplomacy or by money.
1t is noteworthy that the object Of
this alliance is to guarantee England
against the southwark advance Of Rus
sia into India. Evidently she does not
share the delusion of those who fancy
that the war has obliterated Russia
from the international affairs Of the
world. The treaty is a distinct trib-
ute to the strength and vitality of the
rival empire, which has become mas
ter of far greater area Of Asia than