New-York tribune., 1907-05-12
FRANCES BUGBEAR.

r-,ca fo- many wears past has beer n con-
stnnt fear Of al invasion of her possessions IN
TonSHfns and in Indo-China by the Japanese
The relations between Toxic and Paris nave
been strained repeatedly in the last two decad s.
sometimes almost to the breaking point. and the
alliance of France with Russia was desired quite
as much against Japan against Germany
Until the recent war IL Manchuria France de-
r,ended on the naval and military power of Rus
sia in flrthermost Asia TO help her to defend her
colonial possessions from any japanese inva-
sion an invasion which would have conceded
with a fully organized recrudescence of the So
called black flag insurrection. in all the border
provinces. II was in pursuance of this policy
that France in the early stages Of the war be-
tween Japan and Russia furnished such an
amount of assistance to the latter, not merely
moral. but also material. especially in connec-
tion with the Odyssey of the Baltic feet TO the
China seas, as 70 strain the obligations or neu-
trality TO their uttermost limit.
1t was not until her eyes were opened by the
crushing defeats sustained by the Russians on
land and water al the hands of the Japanese
that France realized the precise value of Mus
covite support and the full extent Of her own
danger. And if NJ. Delcasse was virtually GUST
ed from the Office of Minister Of Foreign Affairs
by Premier Rouvier. il was with the object of
appeasing not merely the German Kaiser in the
Morocco controversy, but also the japanese,
who intensely exasperated by Frances defiance
of the requirements of international law, were
clamoring for the execution of the long pro-
Jected descent upon Tongking.
So grave did the danger of japanese in
rasion Of Tongking appear TO the French gov
ernment Immediately after Admiral Togo's
great victory that steps were taken TO send
strong naval and military reinforcements TO
1ndo-China. Before, however these reinforce
ments could be dispatched, the French govern
ment received from London d confidential COM
munication of the terms of the treaty be-
tween England and Japan, concluded just then,
and which altered the situation.
True, the main feature of the treaty is that Ii
commits England the defence of Japan in
the event OF attack, and Japan to the defence
OF England. should any of her Asiatic posses
sions be threatened by third power. But
these obligations. thus established. carry with
them the distinct understanding, even if not
actually proclaimed in many words, that
neither of the two contracting parties should
embark upon with third nation withou,
the consent Of its ally. 1t means, therefore
that Japan while her treaty of alliance with
Great Britain lasts. is virtually debarred from
executing, without the consent of England. the
designs which she formerly entertained with
regard 10 French Indo-China and to the Dutch
East Indies, or the projects ascribed to her with
regard 10 the conquest Of the Philippine Islands
OF late fears have been expressed to the
exact value OF this alliance between England
and Japan, and II has been pointed out that the
absolute refusal of Australia and New Zealand
10 modify their laws excluding Japanese from
their territory, in spite Of the treaty rights en-
joyed by the Mikado's lieges, calculated in
juriousy to affect, and perhaps eventually 10
destroy, the understanding between Toxic and
London. and thus free Japan from the restraint
imposed upon her with regard 10 her alleged
designs upon other powers. The agreement.
however. that is now about to be concluded be-
tween Japan ana France. constituting it does
"A guarantee against a japanese invasion az
ToEgking and Cochin China. will tend to as
sIase in measure the apprehensions which
have prevailed Of late TO the pacific inten-
lions of Japan.