Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-26
MAY SNAP IN AN HOUR
Lasting Quality of the Anglo
Japanese Alliance.
Special Cablegram to The Star.

TOXIC February 26.-It appears to be
almost impossible for the English and the
Japanese to understand each other, and
some time the much-talked OF Anglo-Japa-
nese alliance may snap in an hour. This
difficulty is perhaps due to the fact that 1t
is not given to the westerner TO understand
the subtieness of the oriental mind. Scarcely
had the difficulties which have arisen out
of the kilograms misquotng Gen. Terauchl.
making It appear as though he had stated
that he was going to negotiate with Eng
land to augment her navy in view OF the
proposal for military convention under
the renewed treaty Of alliance and OF the
apparent inadequacy of the British defense
in India been smoothed out by the state
ment that he did not say it-difficulties
which caused storms of protests to go UP
from the British allies of Japan-than a
vast deal of indignation has been aroused In
Japanese navy circles over the publication
Of Sir Ian Hamiiton's "reminiscences OF the
Russo-Japanese war. Copies of the work
have been received here. The indignation
Of the British officers because Gen. Terau-
chi. the minister of war at the time or the
meeting of the budget committee or the
Japanese diet when questioned by Mr..
Oishi, the leader of the progressive party.
replied that If at anv time IN the future IN
curry might lead japan to express her
views regarding the Srdsh army she would
not hesitate to do so. according to the
terms of the treaty. Every one now ad-
mits that Gen. Terauchi had perfect right
to reply as he did. But the Indignation of
the Japanese officers regarding Gen. Sir
Ian Hamilton's "reminiscences of. the war
know no bounds.
Open Criticism of japanese.
Sir Ian Hamilton went TO the war in the
far east as the representative of Great
Britain and as the guest of Japan. In pub
fishing his staff officers Scrap Book"
which is an open criticism OF japanese
methods. It is held that he has at least vio-
lated Japan's hospitality If he has not
strained the military. or official secrets"
laws of Great Britain. What makes mat
tiers even worse is that the British war Of
fee and the British foreign office must
share the blame, since the staff Officers
Scrap Book" was advertised some time be-
fore it appeared and the authorities had
plenty OF time to stop it If they had
wished to do so.
For instance. referring to the censorship
established by the japanese he says:
Nothing makes Europeans and perhaps
especially Americans more mad than to feel
that they have been cleverly played upon.
Personally | have never much minded when
my requests for particulars have been re-
sponded to by generalities, generalties and
banalities for | have found some of those
red behring's to have an excellent SAVIOR"
Regarding the military ability of the
Japanese Sir Ian Hamilton says, among
other things;
There are not many commanders who
have resolution enough at the END of a
terribly anxious night and morning TO re-
ject series of plausible arguments 70.
leaving well alone. l have heard Lord Kitch-
ener remark under similar circumstances
Your reasons for not doing what you were
told to do the best / ever heard; now
go and do it,
Very Exceptional Man.
.Kurolkl. however. determined that as the
main position had been carried it was not
desirable that further heavy sacrifices
should be imposed on the troops by direct
attack upon the rear guard, and he au-
thorized Maj Gen Nishi to stand by and
do nothing pending further orders. 1t was
pity, but no doubt Ii is a very excep-
tional man who is able to detach his mind
from the terribly impressive now of
hard-fought field into the then OF the far
future Yet this Is necessary TO a full COM
prehension that what may seem heavy fur
Their sacrifices at such moment may be
literally triiing, compared to the ultimate
sacrifices which may have to be paid for
an incomplete victory-for thrust only
half driven home.
ION April p the Japanese stood. and
knew they stood. in overwhelming force
only separated by two rivers from their
enemy. Nothing, however, would induce
them to make the plunge until they had
completed their most minute preparations.
Let the Germans admire this If they will;
it is not the principle by which Marlbor-
ough, Napoleon or Lee won their reputa-
tions. On the day they meet first-class
general this passion for making all things
absolutely safe may be the ruin of our care
full little friends"
These things added to the protest of
Baron Suy E Matsu regarding his treat
ment on board the North German liner
Zieten have made profound impression
here. Though Baron Suy Matsu declared
that he would not enter into any contro-
versy with the officials of the North Ger
man line. accepting for what they are worth
the statements OF the managers that they
could not assign him first place at the cap
tafnss table because II was already occupied
before he came on board by some distln-
guished Germans. II Is felt that the baron,
who = writer. statesman and traveller,
would not have made complaint n he had
not 1ound IL c0ud1tions Of travelling IN Eu :
r0pe lnfQIer1bIe.
selin 6n1anl ~ unrepeens