The Washington herald., 1907-09-29
ASIA TO HAVE PEACE
Agreement of Russia and
England Far-reaching.
JAPAN'S AID is NOT NEEDED
Fear of Conflict Now Remote and
Alliance Almost SuperhuOus-Great
Britain Has Only Germany 10 Fear
and japanese Alliance Would
avail Little I'm Such a Case.

London. Sept 28.-The peace Of Asia
is the correct description Of the momen-
tous agreement which was signed at ST.
Petersburg this week between Great
Britain and Russia. 1t is a genuinely
self-denying ordinance on both sides
and il removes for at least a consider
able time 10 come one OF the Oldest and
not always dormant dangers TO the
peace Of the world. II is worth more
In practical craftsmanship than the de-
pates and quibbHngs and hyprocrisies OF
a dozen peace conferences. and it has
far-reaching effects beyond the situa-
tion with which It especially deals.
One Of these effects is Of great inter
est 10 America at the present moment.
namely, that it renders the AngIO-Jap-
anese alliance almost superfuous from
the British. point Of view. The great
value TO Britain Of that instrument was
the cooperation it secured for her in
the defense Of India in case Of an An
glo-Russian war This new. agreement
with Russia removes the danger OF such
a conflict from the field Of practical
politics.
England Fears Germany.
The only serious contingency which
England now has need to provide for
IS war with Germany. Even this peril
1eems remote in the present aspect of
international affairs. but should IT arise
japanese assistance would be trifing.
The value of her alliance with Japan
served English purposes well up 10 q
onr fnf T4.-
this new agreement with Russia possible
on the present terms. but when a con-
tract between nations. like a partnership
between individuals, becomes awkard %
one Of the parties, its practical value
diminishes
However binding 10 its technical obI-
cations il may be. the alliance between
England and Japan is stiH Of immense
Importance to Japan. but its terms have
become highly embarrassing 20 Great
Britain. England will not break her COM
pact except in some conceivable emer-
genCy, which will involve the world $
peace. She would. Of course, deny any
intention Of doing so. even then. but
England would veto by every influence
In her power any beiligerent policy Of her
ally toward America, or even toward
Russia.
Tokyo Realizes Situation.
This radical change in the international
situation is, of course. fully understood at
Tokyo. To-day's dispatches 10 the Lon
don newspapers from America quote an
administration authority for the state
ment that President Roosevelrs decision
TO send battle ships 10 the Pacific caused
an instant change in the japanese atti-
tude which had been most aggressive and
suddenly became cOnciliatOry. This is
the veriest nonsense. The effect OF Presi-
dent Roosevelts move would have been
Just the contrary had il not been for the
great change which was then being negO-
tiated in Europe, and Of which the Anglo
Russian agreement is the principal out
come.
Japan found that she would have Euro
pean sympathy unanimously against her.
and most Of all that Of her own ally. II
she engaged in any quarrel with the
United States
She had sense enough 10 know that she
would only court humiliation If she
sought a rupture with America when the
sentiment OF the entire world was against
her She changed her tactics as soon as
she realized the situation. and it is merely
another bit Of Rooseveltiau luck that il
should appear 20 be the result Of the
Presidents veiled threat Of battle ships.