Evening star., 1915-11-19

Japan so far as is known. has not yet
been consulted, the plan thus far being
confined to the European entente allies
ana the Peking government. lf Japan
knows of the plans InoffiClally, there
is nothing here to indicate what her
position will be.
Safeguarding Own Interests.
Although Great Britain. France and
Russia Joined with Japan in representa-
tions to China to postpone the estab-
lishment of monarchy because it was
thought change during the present
disturbed condition of affairs might
provoke revolution and international
complications. this latest step by the
allies is understood here not to have
been initiated because of the monarch
1cal situation alone. 1t was considered
essential by the allies that such ar
rangements be made in the far east a
would permanently safeguard their in
ferests. The impending change in
China's form of government has rem
dered the situation somewhat acute and
pressing. since fear of revolution in
China and the possibility of Japanese
Interference to preserve peace in China
have been emphasized by the japanese
press to an extent that has attracted
wide attention among European diplo-
mats.
By joining the entente alliance none
OF China's operations could affect the
course of the war in Europe. but the
move would have the effect of guaran-
teeing Japanese abstinence from inter-
ference in China Japan's attitude is
not clear as yet, but two possibilities
are considered here as plausible: First
that Japan will Join in the movement
on the theory that her paramount in
terests in China will not suffer any
abridgement through the future ac-
tons of the allies. or. second that ia
pan will remain aloof from any agree
ha r,rf,,y
rf China as an ally as not alterinf,
japans right to Independent action in
the far east wherever her interests are
effected.
Nay Stabilize China's Government.
The origin of the move to enlist
China on the side of the allies is not
yet known here, but there are indica
tions that some Chinese diplomats are
inclined very favorably toward 1t as
irsuring the integrity of China beyond
question and stabilizing the national
government of the republic
None of the communications that have
passed on the situation Indicate that
the allies have any hope that President
fuGH Shi-kai will abandon his plan
to establish a monarchy. In fact, the
lhGica tionS are that the move was ini
ated on the supposition that the
cHluge in government was inevita bic
and that IL was the duty of the allied
Uouers. in order to prevent possible
complications between Japan and
China TO act definitely at this time The
assurance from Pekin9 that the mon-
archy Will not be established in the i'm
mediate future is being interpreted by
various observers as development,
growing out of knowledge of the
plans of the European allies to bring
about new understanding on far
eastern questions.
The inner detail Of the situation has
not been revealed. but the attention OF
the British. French and Russian col
onies in the far east has been attract
ed by reports of the excellent treat
ment afforded German prisoners al
kiaochow and the words of admiration
for the German armies frequently
high standing. These have been OBJ.
served by the allies with much inter
est as well occasional adverse ref
srences in the Japanese press to the
Anglo-Japanese alliance.
Germany Opposed Monarchy.
II is known that Germany recently
enlisted her efforts in the same direc.
tion Japan to persuade China tc
abandon her change of government
Advices from the far east declare that
the German minister at Peking pointed
out TO the Chinese foreign office thai
in the event that China changed her
form of government she might not oh.
tain the recognition of the powers. and
without this recognition she could no,
very well be taken care Of diploma teal
IL in the peace conference that will enc
the European war.
- is thought in some quarters here
that the idea of joining China TO tho
'ntehte alliance may have appealed to
Great Britain and Russia particularly
because of the presence of German
propaganda being carried on from
China to disturb India and Persia
Comment was withheld by American
officials here today. 1t was declare,
that confidential affairs relating to tn,
activities of the belligerents would no
be a proper subject for discussion A
the various legations and embassie.
where the general outlines of the plar
OF the allies are known there was :
. similar reticence because of the in