The New York herald., 1921-11-14
First Alliance of Little Help
to Nippon, but Increased
Her Prestige.
SECOND HAD REAL POWER
Third Became Unpopular AZ
fer Russia and Germany Were
Eliminated as Rivals.
NJ X. X. KAWAKANII,
Author of "The Real Japanese Ques-
tion." Japan and World


Author of "The Real Japanese Ques-
tion." Japan and World
Peace" etc.
Special Despatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. c., Nov. -.
To-day England and Japan stand
at the parting of the ways. For
twenty years they have travelled hand
IN hand on the road of diplomacy.
Will they now bid good-by to each
other without remorse or regret?
To forecast the future OF the alli-
ance it is essential to know some
thing of its past. The first alliance,
concluded on January 30. 1902, con-
ferred upon Japan little material
benefit. 1t was not an offensive or
defensive alliance. 1t did not oblige
England to help Japan in the event
Of war between Japan and Russia,
though the alliance was obviously di-
rected against the northern colossus.
AS far as Japan was concerned the
value OF the alliance was moral and
waited Japan's prestige among the ma
tons, for 1t was the first recognition
that an Asiatic nation was capable of
rendering assistance to a foremost
power of the West. BY It Japan was
definitely recognized as an important
factor in world politics. No longer
was her voice to be ignored in the
disposition Of Far Eastern questions.
Advantage to Britain.
For Great Britain the advantage was
more substantial. AS Alfred Stead
frankly admits British diplomacy as
sumed new Importance at Pelzin
when backed by Japan, and, among
other results, the Tibetan expedition
was rendered possible. Since the be-
ginning OF the Russo-Japanese war and
the consequent revelation OF Japan's
power the advantages to British
diplomacy in Europe have been very
considerable. In fact, British foreign
policy all over the world has been in
nuenced and strengthened by the alll-
ance. The destruction of the Baltic
fleet enabled four British battleships to
be sent home to play a very important
part in the diplomatic crisis in Europe"
The first alliance was renewed on
August 10, 1905, when Japan was still
locked in deadly combat with Russia.
This second pact was no longer a
shadowy alliance but defensive and
offensive alliance I'm the real sense of
d. p.ts IL, 1oA,. t411,,
her lot with Japan.
The second treaty OF alliance was made
public when the outcome Of the peace
conference at Portsmouth was quivering
in the balance. Unfortunately for
japan. the treaty contained an article
forestalling its application TO the war
in which Japan was then engaged. But
for that provision the alliance might
have been a great aid to Japan In OBJ
tanning moro favorable terms OF peace
from Russia.
Englands main object in concluding
the second alliance was to prepare
against the rising tide OF German in
iluence which had begun TO manifest
itself both I'm Europe and the Far East.
On the other hand, Japan regarded 1t
as safeguard against Russian revenge.
Revision II Forced.
The second alliance was to have re-
nnained In force for ten years. but new
factors. which had been injected into
the Far Eastern situation, necessi.ated
It's revision four years before its term
fnation. The most important Of such
new factors was tho changed relation
ship between Japan and the United
States.
Due. to the California situation and
mn Ia aNtn
ese influence in Manchura, relations
between the two nations ceased to be
entirely cordial. 1t was n foregone con-
clusion that japan never so much as
dreamed OF ever going into war with
America because of these questions.
Consequently the farseeing statesmen OF
both japan and England thought It the
part of wisdom TO make IL plain In
black and white that the Anglo-Japanesc
alliance was not applicable TO q war
between Japan and America.
1t was with that specific object In
view that the following article was in
cluded In the third treaty OF alliance.
concluded on July 13. 1911:
Should either high contracting
party conclude a treaty OF general
arbitration with n third Power II Is
agreed that nothing In this agree
ncnt shall entail upon such con-
TO war with the Power with whom
such treaty of arbitration is in force.
Almost simultaneously the United
States entered into a general arbitra-
ton treaty with Great Britain.
The above provision is explicit enough
to indicate It's real purpose. But its
Importance becomes greater when we
know the intentions OF those who were
responsible for It. Tho British and
Japanese statesmen who put this pro-
vision in the third treaty OF alliance
meant specifically to absolve England
from any obligation to help Japan in
case OF an Americana Japanese war
With both Russia and Germany elm
mated from the field OF international
rivalry. the alliance Is becoming less
| popular in England. for to-day
Britain has no nation to fear save
America. Small wonder that tho i'll.
| OF abrogating the Anglo-Japanese ALL
! ance is gaining ground. and that talk
| of an Americana n-British-Japanese entente
| 70 take the place of that alliance IS
heard more and more frequently. cspec-
tally in British quarters. Is such an