Evening star., 1921-12-10
CHINA FIRST SUBJECT BEFORE J.
PLENARY SESSION OF PARLEY


had led many Americans to wonder
why the alliance was continued after
Germany and Russia had collapsed
and thus had removed much OF tho
cause for the agreement.
1t had become apparent. said the
British spokesman. that the alliance
no longer was necessary; yet, he
added. 1t was not easy for two nations
casually to repudiate a compact that
had linked them together for twenty
years.
SOlnti0n In Merger.
The only solution, he said, was
found, to be to merge" the old ar
rangement into a new one embracing
all the nations Interested.
You have heard" said Mr.. Balfour.
AN exposition by Senator Lodge Of
the contents of this treaty, admirable
in it's character, perfect In its literary
form, and you have just heard the
way in which this treaty strikes a
great Frenchman.
80 far as I am concerned" Mr..
Balfour continued. II would most
gladly leave the matter in their hands.
they said upon the general aspects of
the treaty"
Between Two Nlinunderstnadings.
He added that nothing was further
from the original intention of Japan
and Great Britain than that the al
lance could touch in the remotest
way" the interests OF the American
government.
Great Britain" said Mr.. Balfour
| found itself between two great mis-
understandings; misunderstanding If
they continued the treaty; misun-
derstanding If they renounced the
treaty"
l. As conceived, Mr.. Balfour said the
Anglo-Japanese alliance made no more
application to the United States than
it had ito Chile or Peru"
IT think that was the original view
taken in the United States,' said Mr..
Balfour. ITO what is it that the change
Of opinion is duef I think it Is due
to the fact that a state of interna-
] tional contention did arise in the Paci-
fic area (and I hope that now the
powers have set 1t at rest) and that
critics in the United States began to
why Is there this treaty between
Japan and Great Britain? what
further interests does it serve?"
Result Of Aggrsssisn.
The Anglo-Japaaese agreement was
brought forth because Of Russian
aad German aggression in the Far
East, Mr.. Balfour continued. and he
said Americans asked themselves
whether there was now any further
danger from Russia or Peril from
Germany.
And when they answered in the
negative. as they had to answere,
they said why then is this treaty
continued: Nay it no. prove in
should become more strained"
Il understand that point of view."
said Mr.. Balfour. adding that there
was another viewpoint as to how the
treaty affected relations between
Great Britain and Japan
Vet to Be ReneancedL
This treaty" the British spokes-
man continued. was not treaty
that had to be renounced. 1t ran un-
til formally denounced by one of the
parties. After all. it has been in ex-
istence within a few days of twenty
years. 1t had a great function in two
great wars. When two nations have
been united in that fierly ordeal. they
can't at the end OF it take off their
hats and politely part as two strang-
ers who have met in railway train
for few hours. Something closer
unites them than the mere words Of
the treaty"
so Great Britain found itself be-
tween the possibility of two ptsun-
derstandings." Mfr. Ralfour continued.
the misunderstanding if we retained
md hn Y,vfs 10 A.
nounced the treaty. We have come
now to the only possible way out to
remove the differences. some of the
great obstacles that were in the way
of a serene peace; the only solution
possible was that we should annul,
merge. destroy the ancient and out
worn agreement and replace 1t with
something effective which would en-
brace all OF the powers concerned.
Pleased by Solution.
Il have explained the frame of mind
of my government in approaching this
problem. The solution is one which
gives me satisfaction I find it i'm
possible adequately to express in
words. 1t SO happens that I was at
the head of the British administration
which twenty years ago brought the
first Anglo-Japanese alliance into
existence. 1t 50 happens that I was
the head Of the British administration
which brought into existence the en-
tente between Great Britain and
France.
'AIi of my life 1 have, been a per-
'sistent advocate OF the most intimate
and friendly relations between the
two greatest branches of the English
speaking race"
At this point Mr.. Balfour was forced
to halt, while the audience broke into
long and tumultuous applause.
Approves Hughes statement.
You. therefore, see how deep is my.
satisfaction" he went ON. When I
see the four great powers put their
names to q treaty which for all tim -
will lead to peace in the territory
where the treaty breatheA"
MIR. Balfour. turning to Secretary
Hughes, declared that the latter's
statement was perfectly accurate In
the beginning of the conference. that
the eAnglo-Japanese alliance did not
come within the four corners Of the
conference program.
But no one who had heard Senator
Lodge and NJ. Viviani, he added, could
escape feeling that next to the reduc-
ton OF naval armament the problem
of equal importance concerned the
Of another agreement, in
which all Of the powers concerned
would be parties-not merely Great
Britain and Japan
Japan's Approval Voiced
Japan's qualification over the new
agreement was voiced in turn by
Prince TokugaWa.
All Japan, Prince Tokugawa said,