Evening journal., 1921-07-13
CANADAFROWNS
ON JAP TREATY
No Convention Necessary
With France or u. s.;
Why With Japan?
MEIGHEN AND
SHUTS OPPOSED

xied" is the word used by some Can
adian newspapers to describe what
has been done to Premiers Meighen,
of Canada. and SHUTS, of South
Africa. by Mr.. Lloyd George, in con-
nection with the Japanese Alliance
Mr.. Meighen left Canada under
standing that the chief item for dis
cussion at the Imperial Conference
would be the renewal OF the treaty,
which otherwise, II was understood,
would automatically terminate on
July 13, both parties to IL having
intimated that as It stood the treaty
was not in consonance with the
League OF Nations
The dominions, not consulted
when the original treaty was draft
cd. were nevertheless bound by 1t.
As for its renewal. they were to be
consulted. Much emphasis on this
consultation has been used in re-
cent months by Downing street
The charge is made here that the
"consultation' would reveal a de-
mand from the dominions for the
renewal OF the treaty. at least from
AA4khtc anu ANAtAnc'gf Va 4AANNA eNA@e~i
with acquiescence. or at worst feeble
resistance. from Meighen and SHUTS,
and that this demand would furnish
an excuse for renewal OF the treaty
in the eyes of American opinion.
Proceedings OF the conference
have for the most part been secret,
but Il is known that the opposition
that came from Meighen and SHUTS
was OF no perfunctory sort.
Then the amazing announcement
came that the treaty wasn't going
10 lapse in July at all; that there
having been no formal denunciation
it would continue automatically in
force for another year.
one inference from this interpre-
tation OF the incident Is that con
sultation' with the dominions on for
cign affairs is sought only when the
result OF the consultation Will serve
the purposes OF the British For
e{gn once. when the consultation
doesn't result as expected. tho need
for it Is abolish ed-in this case by
a decision OF the Lord Chancellor.
The charge that has been made
both in respect to tho allegation as
to the treatment OF American opin-
ion and the bamboozzling of the
Canadian Premier can scorcely be
left where II is
For Canada now has ciear-cut,
definite foreign policy. II has been
emerging ever since the last years
Of the war. found partial express
sion by Mr.. Rowell. Sir Robert Bor-
den and others at the last session
Of parliament. and was very concise
ly nut forward at the Imperial Con-
fa-ence by Mr.. Meighen a few day.
ago. II has not yet been referred
TO in the official reports on the con
ference. but the fact that Mr.
Meighen proclaimed four cardina
points Of Canadian policy was cablec
to Canada
These four cardinal points as
enunciated by Mr.. Meighan are;
First-That as TO all Questions OF
foreign policy which more directl5
concerns tho British Government
such as matters arising In connec-
ton with Palestine. Mesopotamis
and the Middle East. tho Govern
ment OF the Dominion should bs
kent thoroughly and constantly i'm
formed.
second-That upon all question:
Of foreign policy affecting the en-
pire as a whole the Dominion GOV
ernment must be consulted
Third-That the British Govern
nent should enter into no treaties ol
~ If,r
with and the advice OF the domin
ions. and that all such treaties, evei
when entered into. be subject to tn
approval OF the Dominion Parlia
ments.
Fourth-Thxt upon all question
arising as between the United State
and Canada the advice OF the Do
rninion Government must be accept
ed as final.
The last point Is. perhaps, tn
most revolutionary. but the last thre
eli have direct bearing on Canada
relation to the Japanese alliance.
Here and there a voice is raised
Canada in favor Of renewal OF IN
Japanese Treaty on the ground ths
japan has been a faithful ally
the past and a refusal TO rene
would be a rebuff which eventual
might not conduce to peace and n
security Of British interests in n
Pacific.
But most opinion is solidly again
renewal. while favoring a policy
friendship with Japan.
Why. II is asked, must Brita.
have a military convention vii
Japan when no such convention
necessary in the case Of Franz
either before or since the war.
in the case OF the United Statei
Even IL the treaty expressly e
empts the British Empire from obi
cations to aid Japan in the case
an ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS conflict
would not be satisfactory TO canad
With Canada neutral in such a co
nict her British Columbia por
would be open TO Japanese vesse
for emergency. and every such ins
dent would be viewed with su
picion In the United States. II
cumulative irritation would react
much on Canada that her interest
the Japanese issue becomes Of prir
Importance.
Further, Canadians do not wa
10 be committed to OF compromis
by Japanese policy in China OF
IBERIA. particularly as in the Chin,
situation there are potentialities
trouble with the United States.
And finally, in any form the tres
would be Inconsistent with the G.
enant OF the League or Natio
which Canada loyalty supports.