The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-09-29

1NNT hAAI " "oetS.
London, September 27.-The text OF
the new agreement between Great
Britain and Japan, which was signed
by Lord Lansdowne, the British for
eign secretary, and Baron Hayashi, the
japanese minister to Great Britain on
August IL was issued by the foreign
Office last evening. The momentous
document is a brief one comprising
less than 500 words, including eight
articles, and a preamble.
Accompanying the agreement is a
covering letter from Lord L~ansdowne
ito the British ambassadors at ST.
Petersburg and Paris, for transmission
to the Russian and French govern
ment respectively, in which the for
eign secretary cOurteously reviews the
agreement AMI carefully points out
that the new defensive alliance is rot
intended as a menace, but rather as Il
guarantee to peace n prosperity
in the far east. in which all countries
may participate.
The main features of the new agree
ment have already been fOrecasted in
the Associated Press dispatches from
London and Paris. The pithy articles
of the official text, however, bring out
forcefully the tremendous Importance
to both countries of this alliance.
which practically makes Great Brit
ain and Japan and Japan-Great Britain
f~r Tho rI311oocno of 1nfnncn fln tho %
gions of east Asia and India"
This inclusion of India specifically
as a point at which any aggression by
a foreign power will call for the as
sistance Of Japan finds much favor
with the press of London, the morning
papers. in long laudatory articles wei
coming the new and more extensive
alliance of the two insular kingdoms,
west and east, as giving immediate
relief from the dangerous thunder
cloud which for SO many years mas
hung over the Indian frontier.
The preamble reads:
The government of Great Britain
and Japan, being DESTROYS of replacing
the agreement concluded between them
January 30, 1902 by fresh stipulations,
have agreed upon the following articles
which have for their object:
\. Consolidation and the mainten-
ance of general peace in the regions of
eastern Asia and India.
+. The preservation of the common
interests of all the powers i'll China by
ensuring the independence and integ-
rity of the Chinese Empire and the
principle of equal opportunities for the
commerce and industry of all nations
i'll China.
c. The maintenance of the territa-
rial rights of the high contracting par
ties in the regions of eastern Asia
and of India and the defense of their
special interests in the said regions"
The text of the treaty is as follows:
article l.. 1t is agreed that when
ever in the opinion either of Great
Britain or Japan any of h rights
and interests referred in he preamble
in this agreement are in jeopardy, the
two governments will communicate
with another fully and frankly and
will consider in common the measures
which should be taken to a guard
those menaced rights Or interests.
article .. Should either of the
high contracting parties be involved in
war in defense Of its territorial rights
or special interests. the other party
will at once ONE to the assistance OF
its ally II both parties will conduct
Il wal in common and make peace in
mutual agreement with any power or
powers involved in such war.
Article 3. Japan possessing para
mount political, military and economic
interests in Korea, Great Britain, re-
coguizeS Japan's right to take such
measure for the guidance, control and
protection of Korea as II may deem
proper and necessary to safeguard and
advance those interests, providing the
measures so taken are not contrary to
the principle of equal opportunities for
the commerce and industry of all ma
tons.
article 4. Great Britain, having a
special interest in all that concerns the
security of the Indian frontier, Japan
recognizes her right to take sucn
measures in the proximity of that
frontier as she may find necessary for
safeguarding her Indian possessions.
Article 3. The high contracting
parties agree that neither will without
consulting the other enter into a sep
arate arrangements with another power
to the prejudice of the objects describ-
ed in the preamble.
Article 6. As regards the present
wal between Japan and Russia, Great
Britain will continue to maintain strict
neutrality unless some other power or
powers join in hostilities against
Japan, in which case Great Britain