The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-08

action. Only such choice could. it con-
tinues. bring about the circumstances
in which Britain would be obliged. "by
treaty" to take her place. beside ia
pan. and the Spectator does not believe
the United States would make that
choice. More than that. 1t virtually
expresses conviction that even if it,
the Spectator-should prove mistaken
in that belief, British public sentiment
would never tolerate a war in which.
apart from the matter of blood ties
Britain would he fighting for a prin-
ciple that is anathema in her own do
minions.
The Anglo japanese treaty. as tho
Spectator shows. in Its interesting
lucid and comprehensive syllabus Of
the document. is defensive" The OBJ
ject of the treaty. which rcvises the
pacts OF 1902 and 1905, Is stated in it's
preamble to be the maintenance of
peace. in the regions of Eastern Asia
ard india. The sphere within which
it is intended to preserve the peace,
explains tho Spectator is plainly re-
stricted, and subsequent paragraphs in
the preamble amplify the restriction.
Apart from maintaining the indie
pendence Of China and the open door
in China. 1t provides in post-preambie
articles. we read, for 'the safeguarding
Of the territorial rights of tho high
contracting parties. In the regions or
Eastern Asia and Of India" and tho
defense Of their special interests in
said regions. Therefore. argues the
Spectator, and its argument is ire
futablc unless the United States tried
to annex territory in Eastern Asia. or
interfered with the special rights of
Japan in Eastern Asia-unlcss. that is.
this country committed some act which
tho common cNiEcncies of war would
not requlre--no casus foederis between
Britain and Japan could arise-no point
covered by tho treaty.
Again. the treaty In defining and
limiting mutual obligations. stipulates:
IF by reason OF unprovoked attack or
aggressive action. wherever arising. on
the part OF any power or powers. either.
nigh contracting party should he In
VOWED in defense Of its territorial
rights, or special interests mentioned.
in the preamble of this agreement. the
other high contracting party will at
once come to the assistance of its allv.
and VIII conduct the war In common
and make peace in mutual agreement
with it," Obviously. as the Specta tor
maintains, this stipula ton imposes
precise limitations on the obligation of
Great Britain to help Japan, and OBJ
viously, as it further declares. the at
titude Of California towards Japan
cannot be described as an "unprovoked
attack or aggressive action: nor If
Japan went TO war with tho United
States. in order to exact fulfllment OF
her alleged treaty rights. would Great
Britain be required to go TO her as
sistance.
Eliminating all other considerations.
potent as they may be. such rs the
doubt expressed by the Spectator, and
echoed in effect. If not in words. by the
whether the empire would survive
such an outrage to the feelings of
large and important element" as Eng
lishmen fighting with Asiatics against
their own kith and kin, 1t would seem
clear that If Japan is encouraged In
her attitude and demands by her
treaty relations with Great Britain. on
that score alone She reckons woefuily
without her host Any hope Japan may
entertain in that direction is based on
assumption that discredits in the eyes
OF the world her good sense. and re-
fleets upon the honesty of purpose Of
her British ally.
Such assumption involves belief in
covert British design. atally AT va
rance with the letter and the spirit
Of the treaty, and utterly repuEnant
to British sentiment. prejudice, racial
instinct and the fact that Whatever
comes we (the, British) must stand b,
our own flesh and blood in the las/ re
sort" says the Spectator. il would
make clear" in concluding its article