Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-06-28
DISARMAMENT To
Be DEALT BLOW BY
AP-BR|T|SH PACT
BY ROBERT r. SMALL
(Leased Wire to The Journal.)
(Cnnrriohk 1901

probability that Great Britain and
Japan will renew their treaty OF al
lance within the next three weeks
| threatens to put an end to any defin-
lite move at this time for interna-
tional naval disarmament. ..
The continuance Of the Anglo-Jap-
| anese offensive and defensive alli-
| ance, no matter what the modified
language of the pact may be, is re-
garden in government circles here
as an all but insuperable obstacle to
world disarmament.
The famous Borah amendment to
the naval bill which would request
President Harding to seek a confer
ence with Great Britain and Japan on
the subject of limiting naval arma-
ments, would mean but little if the
IAnglo-Japanese treaty Is renewed. 1t
would place the United States in
one-sided conference-ono nation
against a combination of the two
other most powerful nations on the
sea today.
1t is agreed that If Great Britain
and Japan are to continue in alli-
ance-an alliance in violation of the
spirit if not the letter of the cove
nant of the league of nations to
which both have adhered-the only
fair limitation of naval armament
would be a reduction of their COM
bined navies to something like the
relative strength of the United States
It is agreed Furthermore that Eng
proposition. Premier Lloyd George
has said as much.
Therefore, government officials are
asking why the United States should
agree to a relative naval reduction
with Great Britain and another rela-
tive reduction with Japan, when
Great Britain and Japan are bound
together in the most formidable al
lance likely to exist in the world for
some time to come and would exert
| together a naval influence greater
than any single power could COM
mand.
Not Our Business
Cognizance is taken of course of
the statements made at the imperial
conference in London that the United
States is likely to be specifically ex-
empted from the scope of the Anglo
Japanese treaty; that the British do
minions will not be satisfied unless
IL De officially set lorIn III tne OOCu-
ment that none of it's provisions shall
apply against the United States, so
that in the event of war between the
United States and Japan, England
would not be bound to come in on
the side Of the yellow race.
| These statements carry consider
able reinsurance to the United
States, but they do not explain why
in the present condition of world af-
fairs a military alliance between
Japan and Great Britain is necessary
or wise.
The United States has no right to
protest against such an alliance. 1t
may feel glad it is not a party to
the League of Nations if two of the
leading powers in the league feel
that separate and especial alliance
OF offense and defense If the, Pacific
eStS.".
The Washington government will
not be brought at any time into a
discussion of the Anglo-Japanese
treaty either with Great Britain or
Japan. If these two powers, at the
signing of the treaay, should send,
their official assurances to Washing
ton, they would be ackno wledged
and that is all.
American Approval of the treaty
as some of the British dominions
have indicated should be sought, will
not be forthcoming.
1t is barely possible the Washing
ton government may issue state
Feat IT. at some t tis n in the near d
Germ" any move which might threat
en- the maintenance OF the open
door" and equality in the Far Fast.
But. that. is as far us it is likely to
SO intaking note of the Anglo-Jap.
arese negotiations.
1t will not in any way be drawn
hv hook or crook" into giving sane
ton to the pact.
The existing treaty expires July
IS. and the best word from England
is that It will be renewed with GER
tain notifications which will remove
| the United States from its purVlew.
Binding Clause
The binding clause of the existing
treaty is as follows:
IF by reason of unprovoked at
tack or aggressive action, wherever
arising, on the part Of any power or
powers, either high contracting par
IT, should be involved in war in re-
Tense of it's territorial rights or spe-
cial interests mentioned in the pre-
amble to this agreement, the other
high contracting party will at once
come to the assistance Of its ally,
and will conduct the war in common.
and make peace in mutual agreement
with it."
The question naturally is being
asked in Washington that with the
United States eliminated from the
operation of the treaty, what power
or group of powers would be likely
to become involved in war with
Japan? Whom does Japan fear that
she seeks a renewal of the treaty,
essentially along the old lines?
Besides England and Japan, the
only other powers who ever have
had interests in the Pacific are Ger
many and Russia and both are i'm
potent for many years to come.
There was plausible reason for the
treaty when it was first made and
when it was renewed in 1911. Russia
might have become a menace, and
of world activity. Now. both are
lists in the Pacific?
The British argue that If they had
not gone into alliance with Japan the
latter power mikht have felt it neces-
sary to ally herself with Germany.
With Japan fighting with Germany
in the recent war it is admitted the
situation would have been serious.
Britain feels grateful to Japan, and,
inasmuch as Japan passionately de-
sires the treaty renewed, Britain is
finding it difficult, if not impossible.
to refuse. The further argument is
made that Britain. in alliance with
ter influence" in the east.
Against all these considerations,
however, the bald fact remains that
if the alliance is renewed it will be
regarded in this country as a tremen-
dous obstacle in the way of a new
order in the world.