The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-09-16
RUSSO-JAPANESE ALLIANCE AND HOW II HAD BEG|NN|NG
Nations Were Dissatisfied With Treaty of Ports mouth, Which Roosevelt
 Engineered

Iokio, August 15.-(Correspondence of the Associated Press)-A version of tbe genesis Of the recent Japanese Russia n alliance which is attracting considara blo attention is that the pourparlers which eliminated in the convention actnolIv date from the treaty of Portsmouth "hlch ended the Russo-Japanese war. It IS affirmed that both the empires were dissatisfied with the terms of the treaty believing that they did not sufficiently clear the horizon as to issues which might prove dangerous in the future.
 Negotiations were accordingly opened and the first fruit was the accord of lsO'' which concerned the respective zones Of influence in Manchuria In 1910 an- other agreement was concluded enlarging the stipulations of the first. According to the Jij, the proposal of the American government for neutraliza ton of the Manchurian railroads was one of the questions which drew Japan and Russia closer together and brought about the accord of 1910
 In an editorial on the proposed naval expansion of the United States the Her aid of Asia recently took issue with those who fear that the United States intends to pursue a strong, self-assertive policy in China involving the risk of complica- tions with Japan. The journal held that the Knox naturalization proposal was pernlcious, but the newspaper pointed out that the Washington government dropped it as soon as it knew that 1t was unacceptable either to Japan or Russia The writer declared also that the great bulk of responsible public opinion in the United States is solidly against any forward policy in China.
 The review objected strongly to the citing of the United States navy as standard of comparison in local cam paigns for an increase in Japan's naval forces, a campaign which was based, 1t declared, on the false contention that America would interfere in the affairs of China. The journal concluded: Tt is quite possible. even probable. that the advocates of naval armament in Japan and America set up each others coun- try as an imaginary enemy, not from any conviction, but as a matter of con- venience for campaign purposes. But even then continued pursuance of such tactics, on both sides of the Pacific, Is to be deeply regretted, as it is bound to mislead the ignorant and unwary and thus poison the minds of the masses of the two countries against each other We. therefore, heartily submit this mat ter to the serious consideration of all
 
 tween Japan and America"
 The editor of the Herald of Asia is Motosada Zumoto, formerly private sec- retary to the late Prince Ito, who strong ly advocated an alliance between Japan and Russia MT. Zumoto accompanied Baron Eichi Shibusawa to the United States last year and acted as the baron's spokesman in discussing financial mat ters with Americans.
 Comment of the American press on the alliance was cabled to Japan and printed in the Japanese newspapers to the ex- tent of several columns. The Japan Times deducted therefrom that the con- vention had not met with the same cor dial reception in the United States as In Europe. but it voiced it's conviction that if a spirit of good understanding and CO., operation developed, as many on both sides desire in China and on the Pa cific, the United States would undoubted- ly become a most stanch supporter of the new convention.
 The Asahi said it regretted to see mis- understanding about the new Russo Japanese convention exist among a sec ton of American publicists who seem to think that the convention affects American interests in China. The journal continued: But such conception is quite uncalled for and unfounded as far as we interpret. the convention. as
 
 have only promised the mutual support and defense of the status quo in the far east and as regards the so-called special rights and interests the present conven- tion is not the first declaration of the kind. What constitutes territorial rights and special interests in the far east of the two countries is already well known and understood by all western powers. As interpreted in Great Britain and France the new pact was devised by Russia and Japan to protect their inn mense interests in China. It is strong reply to repeated German overtures for separate peace"
 The Nichi-Nichi expressed the opinion that Americans who are displeased with the failure of Americas diplomatic policy toward China since the famous Knox proposal have been made needlessly uneasy by the increasing friendship be- tween Russia and Japan. It continued: Tt need scarcely be said that whether the German South Pacific Islands remain in Japans hands or be kept by Ger many after the war there is practically no difference and Japans sincerity and ever unchanged good feeling towards America should cause no uneasiness in that country. We do not and cannot be-