Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-09-14
JAP-RUSS PACT IS
NOT SLAP ATU. s.
Japanese Newspapers Declare
New Alliance Will Not Affect
American Business in China.
OUTCOME oFspEAcE TREATY

Correspondence of The Associated Press,)
Toxic, Aug. 10.-A version of the
genesis of the recent Japanese-Rus-
sian alliance which is attracting con-
siderable attention is that the pour
parlers which eliminated in the con-
vention actually date from the treaty
Of Portsmouth which ended the Rus
so-Japanese war. 1t is affirmed that
both the empires were dissatisfied
with the terms of the treaty, believ-
ing 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 1907, which concerned the
respective zones of influence i'll Man
churia. In 1910, another agreement
was concluded charging the stipula-
tons of the first. According to the
Jill, the proposal Of the American
government for naturalization of the
Manchurian railroads was one Of the
questions which drew Japan and Rus
STA closer together and brought about
the accord of 1910.
In an editorial on-the proposed ma
val expansion of the United States,
the Herald of Asia, recently took
issue with those who fear that the
United States intends to pursue
strong, self-assertive policy in China
involving the risk of complications
with Japan. The journal held that
the Knox naturalization proposal was
pernicious but the newspaper pointed
out that the Washington government
dropped it as soon as it knew that
it was unacceptable either to Japan
or Russia. The writer declared also
that the great bulk Of responsible pub
lie opinion in the United States is
solidly against any forward policy in
China.
Objects to Comparison.
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 ma
val forces, a campaign which was
based, it is declared, ON the false con-
tention that America would interfere
in the affairs of China. The jour
nal concluded: 1T is quite possible.
even probable, that the advocates of
naval armament in Japan and America
set up each others country as an
enemy, not from any con-
viction but as matter of convenience
for campaign purposes. But even a
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 matter to the serious considera-
ton Of all friends Of eternal peace
and amity between Japan and
The editor of the Herald of Asia
is Motosada Zumoto, formerly pri-
vate secretary to the late Prince Ito,
who strongly advocated an alliance
between Japan and Russia. Mr.. Zu-
motto accompanied Baron Eiichi Schi-
busawa to the United States last year
and acted as the baron's spokesman
in discussing financial matters with
Americans.
Comment OF the American press on
the alliance was cabled to Japan and
printed in the Japanese newspapers
TO the extent of several columns The
Japan Times deduced therefrom that
the convention had not met with the
same cordial reception in the United |
States as in Europe, but it voiced its |
that if spirit of good un-
Outstanding and cooperation deyel-
oped, as many on both sides desire, |
in China and on the Pacific, the
United States would undoubtedly be-
come a most staunch supporter of the
new convention.
Mutual Support.
The Asahi said it regretted to see
misunderstanding about the new
Japanese convention exist |
among section of American pub
licists, who seem to think that the
affects American interests |
in China. The journal continued:
But such conception is quite un-
called for and unfounded as far as |