The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-09
DEPRECATES CRITICISM

DER hESAl Eo Ohl
 Baron Ishii referred to these criticisms in his remarks before the peers He de- precated them, he said, as being ex. ceedingly regrettable because they dc harm to the friendly sentiments between the two nations. He regretted also that British residents in China occasionally gave voice to unfriendly utterances about Japan. But he pointed out that these criticisms should not be interpreted as the opinion of the nation as a whole.
 At recent dinner of the Japan Trade association, Ichiro Tokutomi, the editor of the Kokumin, declared that there pre- vails an opinion among a section oi statesmen and politicians that the Anglo Japanese alliance has become superan- nuated and should be reframed to meet the changed situation of Japan--the growth or exaltation of her position and influence in Far Eastern affairs. He con- sidered it most probable, he said, that the time will come before long when this opinion will be seriously taken up and embodied in the form of negotiations for the revision of the existing treaty. He insisted that this view was shared by several members of the cabinet and privy council.
 The present negotiations with England, to which reference was made by Baron Ishii, are believed to include the status and treatment of Japanese emigrants particularly in Australia. but refer par ticularly to an alleged boycott of Jap- anese goods.
 The case of those Japanese who are demanding a revision of the alliance with Great Britain is summarized by the Nichi Nichi. It declares that in Canada, Australia and other British colonies Jap- anese are refused treatment on an equal the British residents in China, official and otherwise, are bent on curbing Japans interests in that country: that Japan's position in China is of vital importance to Japan, but that it's predominance is not recognized, and that moreover. in case of misunderstood ings with the United States over Chinese questions the British government is known to be bent on avoiding the re- sponsibility of rendering assistance tc this country.
 RESTRICTING JAP TRADE
 The newspaper further alleges that Britain is restricting Japan's free action in India. Under these circumstances the journal deems it natural that there should be a feeling of dissatisfaction concern ing the alliance as it now exists. The paper further points out that Great Bri- tain on account of the war is not in a position at present to protect her inter- ests in the Pacific and has to depend solely on Japan in that respect. In other words Japan is now the only nation able to protect the interests of Great Britain and other nations in China, and the paper thinks that this position of Japan de- serves to be fully recognized by Great Britain by formally allowing Japan to have her position in the Far East clear ly defined.
 As for the provisions in the alliance concerning the peace of India the paper points out that they were made when there was fear of Russian advance to the south Those provisions were made against a Russian menace, but the pres ent relations of Great Britain and Rus sia are practically those of an alliance and the paper finds no reason or neces- sity for having the provisions in the al- liance concerning India. Moreover, the paper thinks that the wording of, those stipulations is rather ambiguous and calls for a more explicit arrangement con- corning Japans obligations on that point
 The Nich Nichi does not want the treaty annulled, but it recommends 8 revision so that Japan may receive what it deserves as the only power in the Far East that is now in a position fully and efficiently to protect British ant other interests in this part of the world