Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-07-20

WHAT JAPAN SEEKS THROUGH ALLIANCE WITH Russia
Vermont has special interest in developments connect
ca with the new alliance between Russia and Japan We
Interested through States penchant for national prepar-
edness We particularly interested any development in
mont in the person of Henry Willard 6enson So native Of
Guda was long the brilliant legal adviser of the Japanese
department of foreign affairs having in this respon-
sbe position from 1880 up the time of his death July
1914 This Vermont authority on Japan foreign relations
helped draft the treaty Of between Russia and Japan
at Portsmouth, N. H.. in 1905.
We are concerned well interested in the Russo
japanese alliance because it unqucsonaby has farreach
ing significance as to Americas open door, policy which the
ing to establish in China in connection with the
'beon and outbreak against foreigners in 1900 Americans
the world Commodore Perry helped end in 1854 only 62 years
ago. and whose astounding deyeopment the Yankees Of
Gna materially affecting our commercial interests in the
Since Japan claims the right to maintain Monroe doc
trne of her to China it is worth while to summarize
g steps saTg up &c the enGno between Rssa
China thrust itself the Japanese islands be
treaty with the Koreans which declared independence
from China, which was unable to demur
help and Japan poured troops into Korea and took the
government thereof in hand War with China promptly fol-
and in the battle of Weihawe what left of the Chinese
fleet was taken By the treaty of Shimonose on April II,
of Korea cedng to Japan most of the Lao-tung peninsula
Foosa and the Pescadores islands, and promising large
Russia Germany and France inerfeed to prevent the
cesson of the Laotng peninsula which included Port Ar
thur the that it would be detrimental to the last
peace of the Orient The dishonesty of this pretence
which Japan forced to yield became evident the follow
ing with the disclosure of secret treaty of China with
Russia promising Russia the lease of Port Arthur and other
mp o , @ Lease was 1891
the Siberian railway and made Russas great stronghold on
the Pacific.
Germany to be outdone seized the port of Kiaochau
and surrounding indemnity for the murder of two
Wehai-we on the Port Arthur terms. The United States
took part in the partition Of China but insisted upon
the open door, which was granted
European
and indirectly the Boxer against foreigners as
moved Japan for chance to participate in the
European var that broke out in 1914 that she might take
scented expressly to the spoation Of China the price of
an open door" for commerce. has never developed ia
manifesty has had abundant for insisting that
China in accordance with the recent demands made at Pekn
should make further territorial concessions without the
consent Of Japan and evey move made by Japan as to emma
1t is natural that Japan should seek take advantage
of the resent situation in Europe to make place for her
self in the Sun in Asia where she recently
kicked and cutfed by of the very at
We in Japans place would unQuetonaby seek Chnas trade
while enforcing Monroe doctrine in that direction.
JaIan received visit last January from Grand Duke
the reception of this distinguished visitor that Count Okuma
Tong EDITOR Of the Pekn Daily Sews at that time showed
how alliance with Russia would help Japan.
complete isolation at the end Of the present war involving
all the great powers Of Europe The relations between the
this war.
Wle Japan manOeuNered TO enter the European struggle
she violated Chnas neutrality in connection with Kao-chau
precisely Germany violated the neutrality of Belgium
though not much The British insisted recognize
ing Chinese neutrality and sovereignty throughout the
pagn against German interests in China and this disposition
to respect Chna territory have been of the
of the growing Of the Japs toward Britain One
thing certain the motive of Japan in going to with
Germany not particularly to help England although
the terms of their alliance called for such action
Japan apparently desired to force China to resort to
to assert her rights in which the Japs would have
to disregard their pledge to England to maintain the
independence and territorial integrity of China Japan then
took advantage of the situation in January 1915 by making
twentyone demands China The shock to Japan resulting
from the disclosure of uncompomsing hostility the part
of the great to her designs China believed to
have opened her the probability Of her isolation at
the end of Euopes and FASTENED the alliance with Rus
sia recently contaminated.
Another factor is Japans need of enormous credit to
her schemes of expansion and maintain great
Russia has to loan but Japan believes the
RussoFnce alliance will the door for her the money
markets Of France The alliance with Russia makes pos