Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-11-21
lIy Wickhnin Stccd,

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2O.--In Il re-
cent dispatch l pointed out TINT
American opinion is disposed to make
the retention or ubrogntIon OF the
AnElo-Japancsc alliance test uucs-
ton of the reality OF British good
will towards the United states. with
all Difference TO American feelings, l
urged that this liz not the most tact
fnl way OF putting the matter, and
that the future of the Anglo-Japan-
csc alliance should be determined in
the light of the advantages or draw
backs which, from the standpoint OF
the highest interests Of the British
empire It's continuance might involve
Upon mature consideration. the bal
ancc of advantages, which include
the prospective influence OF the Brit
ish empire as n whole for the main
tenancc of peace in the Pacific and
, throughout the world. seems q
adhcd) clearly to indicate the abro-
cation OF the alliance. irrespective
of amy arrangements for the limlta-
ton OF ornaments. emincntly bencfi-
cent. though such an arrangement
would be az an additional pledge OF
tranquility.
Notwithstanding this somewhat
pointed hint--which has been widely
reproduced In the United States
some well-known American writer's
continue to force the issue of the
Anglo-Japanese alliance upon public
attention. One such writer says: Il
am in position to state authori-
tatively that. despite official reas-
lac -. IA a.
British Foreign Office. the United
states government considers on face
OF the known texts. that in cage OF
war between Japan and the United
states. involving-as II inevitably
wOuld-some third nation, Britain,
so long as the present Anglo-Japan
csc alliance continues In effect, is IN
honor bound TO go TO the assistance
of Japan against the United States.
This consideration. as has perhaps
been often said. but not sufficiently
realized, is one OF the gravcst mat
ters that has now to be thrcshcd out
here In Washington"
Tripnrtite Pact Unpopular.
Another writer, who obviously is
not out Of touch with the views Of
some official quarters. suggests that
before entering into any agreement
for the limitation OF naval arina-
mcnts. the United states may ask
for the definite abandonment OF the
AnBlo-Japnnese alliance. lie argues
itself not to build warships for ten
years. and to leave the other two
naval powers bound together in a
bincd navics approximately double
the naval forces OF the United states.
would scarcely he regarded an rcns-
enable. The idea that tripariitc
Anglo Japanese American agreement
might be substituted for the Anglo
japanese alliance, he continues, is
not popular with the American ad-
ministrat!on, and would probably
never bc ratified by the Senate. In
tcrpreting the reference in the Chi
ncsc memorandum to international
"commitments'' affecting Chinn which
ought to be examined by tho con-
ference. the writer concludes that the
Anglo Japanese alliance is one of
the commitments referred to.
In view OF this campaign, which
may tend TO confuse American pub
lie opinion, or. II II forcshadows Of
fetal action. may create a delicate
situation, IL seems expedient to state
frankly the real position of the
British empire in regard to the An
Slo-Japancsc alliance, and thus ["
ohviate the impression that pressure
or dirtation from any foreign quar-
ter is requisite or that il could or
would affect the decisions of the peo-
pies Of the British empire.
Japan Accepts Proposed Clause.
There are some facts in the later
history of the Anglo-Japaneso ALL
ance which. even il known TO the
American State Department. are GER
tainly not appreciated by the Ameri-
1911. when Niscount Chen Sir Ed
wardD Grey was negotiating the re-
newal of the alliance with Baron Ku-
don. he informed him that clause
possible scope o! the alliance any
ment might conclude n treaty OF gem
that he would advise his government
Japan. lac added. knew that England
would probably conclude Il treaty OF
general arbitration with the United
States, hut the Japanese government
had long been convinced that. ALI
ance or no alliance, the British en-
pirc would never in any conceivable