Durango semi-weekly herald., 1907-02-18
ENGLAND AND THE JAPANESE
TROUBLE.

o.
In case Of war between Japan and
the United States. would England be
obliged to go to Japan's assistance?
Certainly not. The objects OF the
Anglo-Jspa7ese treaty OF 1905, which
renewed the alliance OF 1902, and
which hroAdened Its scope In some
particulars, were the maintenance of
general peace in the regions of east
ern Asia and India,' and the preserva
tion Of the Independence and integ-
dty Of the Chinese empire" These
purposes are set forth plainly In the
introduction Of the treaty. Neither OF
these Issues is involved In the trou-
BILE between Japan and the United
States. We have no desire to obtain
any territory on Asia's mainland. Not
q single home interest Of Japan or
China Ia menaced by us In the slight
est degree. In one part or another
o. Asia several European countries
Engiand, Russia, Germany, France
and others-hold territory. Not one of
these nations has ever had the faint
est apprehension that we coveted any
OF their possessions. There is not a
heuisphers OF Asia which the United
stAtss would accept as gift II every
country In Europe and Asia should
urge US TO accept 1t, and II every
inhabltant of that territory should
Join in the appeal to us to take them
under our control. AL this is known
In Toxic, London, Berlin. st. Peters
burg and every other one OF the
worlds capitals.
1t IL an Aslatic issue that the Japa-
noRsitishs league OF 1905 was de-
signed to meet. England has ter
ritory In India and other parts OF Asia
which she is anxious to protect over
on. Asias mainland there is tract OF
Imperial dimensions chiefly compris-
ing Korea and Manchuria, In which
Japan has q paramount concern. Tech
nically, Manchuria belongs to CHM.
Actually, japan is Manchuria's over
lord. In theory, Korea is an indepen
dent nation. For decorative purposes
she, still has a flag and a court, and
has embassies In many countries. III
1907. as In, 1897 and in 1887. she has
q distinctive color and clearly marked
boundaries On the worlds map. piplo
macy's fictions have certain rights
which the photographers feel bound tt
respect. But Japanese soldiers stand
guard In every port of the peninsula
In the palace of the emporer an agen'
of tho mikado holds sway. To the
outside world Toxic and Seoul talki
for Korea. Unless she should bt
driven out by Russia, by Germany. by
France. or by some combination o.
powers in the future. Japan will evac
uate Korea on the same day that Eng
land gets out of Egypt. and not al
hour earlier. England needs-or IL
1905 she thought she might need
Japan's army to help her to keep Rus
sia out Of India. Japan felt that Brit
ain's navy would be an effective all
to her In standing of Russia. or
Russo-G o-German-French league, from
taking Korea, absorbing Manchuria
or assailing Japan herself.
The object OF the Anglo-Japanese al
lance, OF 1906 was to guard the ex
isting status In Asia. The contracting
parties had Russia and Germany II
mind when they framed their treaty
but particularly Russia. 1t was Rus
sia, Germany and France which pre-
vented Japan from retaining Port Ar
thur at the end of the war of 1894-9t
with China. Those countries figured in
the minds Of British and Japanese
statesmen as plotters for the dismem
bermentg Of the Chinese empire. The
expansion of the area of influence OF
these nations was felt to be a menace
to Japan and England. 1t was to head
on peril from those quarters that the
league OF a year and half ago be
tween England and Japan was formed
A. q possible menace the United
States never figured in the calcula-
tons OF London or Toxic when they
signed that compact. An Asiatic is.
sue threw England into the Japanese
alliance, 1t is an American issue
school controversy. England has nc
concern In 1t, and England would not
be involved II war should take place
between the United States and Japan
Like Germany. Russia, France and
all the other nations, Great Britain
would be a neutral In the conflict with
Japan The United States would have
one foe to fight. and not two. Presi.
dent Roosevelt, Secretary Root, Sec
retary Taft and the rest of the gen
temen In charge of affairs at Wash
ington know all this. They know also
that even with Japan alone as an an.
tagonist the war would be serious.
Probably there will be no war. But
the duty Of congress to pass the ap-
preparation recommended by Secre-
tary Taft for the erection of fortifi-
cations In Hawaii and the Philippines,
and the duty of congress also COM
ply with the appeals of the president
and secretary to increase the navy
and to strengthen the defenses along
all our coasts is imperative.--Globe
Democrat.
The Cincinnati Price Current is au-
thority for the statement that the to-