The Washington times., 1921-07-04
TOKY0F|RM
IN PLAN To
SAVE PACT.
Will Urge London to Renew Far
East Agreement Despite
American Opposition.
BY HARRY L. ROGERS.
International News Service.

That Japan will leave no stone
unturned to bring about renewal
Of the Anglo-Japanese alliance. re-
gardless of what the American people
may now think of the pact. is the
, Interpretation being given in diplo-
! matte circles here today to the state
rnent of Japan's position made pub
lie by Baron Shidehara, the Japanese
ambassador.
REALIZES L. $. OPPOSITION.
The Tokyo government fully ap-
preciates the opposition in the United
States to the renewal of the alliance.
and is laboring under no illusions As
to the effect of that opposition upon
the minds OF British state who
are TO decide whether Great Britain
Is to underwrite Japanese foreign
: policies in the Far East for another
ten years or so.
Baron Shidehara frankly admits the
presence OF an antagonistic influence
in the United States. After stating
that negotiations looking to the re-
newal OF the alliance have not yet
begun. he said in his statement there
I seems 10 be campaign actively at
| work misreprcsentine the possible
effect of the alliance upon the United
States" He then FASTENED to assure
the American people that "by no
stretch OF tho imagination" can 1t
honestly be said that the alliance
was ever designed or remotely in
tended as an instrument of hostility.
or even defense. against the United
States.
Neither Japan nor Great Britain has
ever contemplated under the alliance.
he asserted, any casus foederts pref
judicial to the interest of the United
States. and he quoted from speech
by Count Cchida, Japanese foreign
minister. In support OF this view.
Commenting on this phase Of the
Barons statement. observers here
point out that the United States could
not be expected to regard as con-
elusive any statements various Of
f1cials Of foreign governments might
make through the press. and that
Secretary of State Hughes has re-
Gently made II plain that no official
assurances have ever been given the
United States as to the scope of the
proposed alliance.
WHY IS ALLIANCE NEEDED.
Considerable speculation exists here
as 10 why either Japan or Great
Britain should be anxious to renew
the offensive and defensive alliance
under which they have co-operated
since 1902. Both parties to the agree
ment are members of the League OF
Nations and are, therefore, pledged to
defend each other against attack and
are assured the support of all the
other members OF the League.
One of the main purposes OF the
Anglo-Japanese alliance, as stated in
the preamble. is TO guarantee the in
dependence ard integrity Of China.
but inasmuch as China Is a member
of the League. and additional guar
antees would seem superfluous X the
League members are acting in good
faith.
Considered from the point Of view
OF an offensive attack. II is pointed
out that the United States is the only
power in a position. even should 1t so
choose. to attack either Japan or
Great Britain.
Another point made by Baron
Shidehara which has apparently
aroused some difference of opinion is
that regarding the effect of the alli
ance in the past upon China and other
territories of the Far East the pro-
lection OF which was ostensibly the
object of the alliance. Under the
original pact Of 1902. Japan was able
TO fight Russia safe in the knowledge
that II any other power came TO tn
Cars assistance Great Britain would
objectives OF this original pact was
"the maintenance of the indepencc nee
Of China and Korea" Nevertheless.
Japan was able under It's terms To
establish a special sphere OF infu-
ence" in Manchuria.
KOREAN LIBERTY IGNORED.
When the alliance was renewed In |
1905, rothing was said OF the inde-
penderce OF Korea. On the contrary. |
the paramount political, military and |
economic interests" OF japan in Korea |
were recognized, and in 1910 japan
annexed Korea.
There is a tendency In some quar- |
ters also to blame the Anglo-Jap- !
Snese alliance for the defeat OF the |
"open door" policy in Manchuria: the |
extension of tho European war TO
Chinese soil, through the japanese
occupation OF Shantung; the imposi-
tion upon China by Jaoan OF the |
twenty-one demands. and the secret
agreements OF Japan with Great Brit
ain. France, Italy and Russia in 1917. |
by which those powers bound them |
selves to support In the Peace Con-
ference Japan's claims to Shantung
and other territories.
PIRTHDAY GAQD MAI En-