The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-03-27
ANG[O-JAP TREATY
WOULD NOT HOLD
Void in Case of Attack
Made on United
States

| Washington. March 26.-The treaty
between Japan and Great Britain, by
which both nations agree to defcn-
siVe alliance in case the possessions
OF either nation in the Orient are as
sailed. would be annullcd should Japan
attack the commerce Of the United
states, In the opinion of General Nell
son A Miles, United States Army, re-
tired. This should be made plain to
the people of the United States, he
says.
Great Britain is no more Interested
IN the affairs of Japan in America than
Japan is interested in the affairs Of
Great Britain in Africa Their alliance,
General Miles points out. quoting the
treaty in evidence, is for the protec-
lon OF the possessions Of Japan and
Great Britain in the Orient. and con-
Germs itself With no other interests
Guarantees Commercial Rights.
IT is an agreement to preserve the
entity of their own existing sovereign
tS, and a guarantee Of the commercial
rights of other nations, OF which the
United States is necessarily one, If not
the one nation Intended to be so as
surcd. says General Miles.
General Miles is skeptical regarding
the possibility of war between tho
United States and Japan. He can see
no good Judgment on the part Of the
little island nation in an attempt u
whip the foremost nation on earth
whose prowcss in war has been proven
and whose resources and strength are
increasing daily.
But in the event of hostilities Great
Britain. he Is assured. would not be-
on the side OF the little brown men, is
not obligated to play that part by the
treaty with Japan, and would rather
not be involved In such a controversy.
Great Britain showed great astuteness
In drafting that compact, In the opin-
lon of General Miles, and farthest from
her thought was any idea of getting
into trouble with the United States
surely" says General Miles. Great
Britain would not be bound by any
action on the part Of Japan that would
menace her own interests or would
appear to be an effort to assume the
supremacy of the Pacific. and thus alb
sorb control Of the interests Of any
nation holding territory adjacent
thereto
Japan is an island kingdom a
good percentage OF the japanese are
seafaring people. Their salvation to
some extent depends on their com
merce and the power OF their navy.
To assume that they would secretly
desire the conquest Of a nation in many
respects stronger than their own.
w ilCIt lOF years mas Deen on lTlenQlS
terms with them, would be as unjust
us 1t would be improbab bic.
reference has been made with much
significance to the treaty made August
II, eos, between Great Britain and
Japan.
.'sarcful reading OF that document will
show that the contracting parties are inter
ested In protecting their own territory and
interests, and the treaty is not for the pur
pose OF interfering with the interests OF any
other nation. 1t is carefully drawn To re-
spect the principles OF equal opportunities
for commerce and industry Of all nations
1t Will not be questioned ;hat the United
states must be classcd of the other
all nations and war against the interests
and welfare OF the United States would be
practically notification OF that treaty or
at least relieve Great Britain from any
obligations under II. II also viii lbc observed
that this important treaty refers entirely to
The territory and interests OF the high con-
tracing parties in the region Of Eastern
Asia and India and has more concern
with the Japanese in America than 1t has
with the British in Africa"