The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-06-06
RUSSO-JAPANES ENTENTE IS URGED Significant Movement To-
 ward This End TROPHIES RETURNED Guns Captured in Recent War Re- moved From Public Square in
 Tokio and Sent Back to
 Russia
TROPHIES RETURNED

Tokio. May 0.-(Correspondence of tre Associated Press.)-A dispatch from the Petrograd correspondent of the Tolxio Asahi quoting Mir. Sazan- off. the Russian minister of foreign affairs. as favoring an alignment be- tween Japan and Russia, has brought into active discussion subject that has of late received much quiet con sidcration in thoughtful Japanese cir cles. Indications are not lacking of closer relationship between these two countries which but a few years ago were engaged in violent armed conflict
 sapan's decision to help Great Brit ain in the present war made her q de facto ally of Russia Japan has sold Russia a vast quantity of arms and ammunition and, what Is more signifi- cart. recently dispatched dozen ex- pert artillery officers to assist in the Russan offensive. A number of Jap aneke reservists have volunteered in the Russian armies.
 There were signs of a sentimental rapnrochement before the present war which found expression when Japan re- turned to Russia the military trophies,
  which ended in the peace of Ports mouth. Certain trophies on public ex- hibition at Tokio were removed ana handed back with the rest.
 The present war has likewise given a new orientation to the aspirations or Russia 1t is believed here. The aiiies confidence in the eventual capture or Coostantinople was not only voiced by Co,int Okuma the prime minister, in 9 recent speech but he went so far as to say that Russia would propaDiy keep Constantinople and thus possess valued outlet on the Medlterrahean which would cause her to abandon any rroiect she might cherish to obtain 2h outlet in the far east in addition to the mort of yladivostock. In short, many things conspire to show that strong mutual understanding has arisen pe- tween the two countries and that the idea of formal alliance IS one lhat causes great deal of pleasure Tn ootn .,,,dres. What Great Britain as Ja- pans ally would think of such prop osition, remains to be developeu'
 Becomes Diplomatic Center
 Such questions as this, as well as the important negotiations between Japan and China and the multitudious ques- tions arising from the great war have given additional consequence to TOXIC as a diplimotic center. In diplomacy and politics as also in news, Tokio Is be- coming the great post of the Tar east with all the varied problems growing out of Japan's rapid rise, her extension of influence in China, and the con stantly augmenting importance of lhe role played in the world by the Pacihc ocean. That this centralization of 1l- terest in Tokio is well known to Flu rome is evidenced by the fact that the great European powers have delegated leading diplomatists to the Japanese capital.
 To the skill and tact of Senator MalewsIy- Ma lewitch, the Russian am- bassador and dean of the diplomatic corps here. is attributed the distinc. movement toward an increased Russo Japanese friendship. MT. Malewsky- Malewitch was a prominent member of the department of jurisprudence at Petrograd and occupied a high post in the Russian foreign office.
 To handle the problems of the orient, France has recently sent here one of her most distinguished and experienced diplomats in the person of Eugene Regnault rle is the man who built up Morocco for France. having served as minister to Tangier during the trying moments of strife and revolution. He also was one of the French representa- tives to the conference at Algeciras.
 Great BritalnS interests are Tn thc hands of Sir Conyngham Greene, who has had d wide experience in European capitals
 Still another indication of the sig nihcance attached to the talk of a Ersso- Japanese alliance is the increased advocacy of the idea by leading Jap arese publicists. Prominent writers in the most important magazines and 1c- views of the empire warmly indorse the Al. I ..s. | out equivocation that the interests ol Japan exact formal partnership witt Russia.
 A high functionary," writing in thu Taiyo Review, says: We must n;.t for get that we have made of Germany formidable enemy. Let us take our pre- cautions let us think of the word of Bis marck: We must find friends st. onge than the enemy. l do not think ,ha