London vid Bombay, 12th February.
An agreement between Great Britain and Japan was signed on the 30th of January, intended to maintain the peace of the East and the integrity of China and Corea.
There is to be ce-operation between them in the event of either ally being at war with more than one Power, The agreement with Japan is for five years and is terminable at a year's notice on either side.
The newspapers join in a chorus of satisfaction, and declare that the agreement makes for the peace of the Far East, and that no Power can reasonably object to it.
The newspapers allude in flattering terms to the Japanese, and couple together the soldiers and sailors of the two Island Empires of East and West.
The preamble of the agreement declares that Great Britain and Japan are actuated solely by the desire to maintain the status quo and the general peace of the East.
Being specially interested in maintaining the independence and inter grity of China and Corea, and in sectiring equal opportunities for all nations, they have agreed on' six articles, which provide that if either of the contracting parties is threatened with aggressive action on the part of some other Power, or by local disturbances, it shall be admissible for either of the parties to take such measures as may be indispensable to safeguard its interests, The contracting parties will maintain strict neutrality in the event of either of them becoming involved in war with one other Power; but they will come to one another's assistance in the event of either of them being opposed by more than one hostile Power at the same time.
Neither country will make a ae-parate arrangement with any other ower which will prejudice the above agreement; and whenever their interests are in jeopardy the two Governments will communicate with each other fully and frankly.—Reuter, Kobe, 12th February.
Viscount Katsura, Premier of Japan, announced -in the House of Peers to-day the ratification of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance which was concluded in London on the 30th of January, It provides for common action in the event of the integrity of China or Corea being menaced by other Powers.—Our own correspondent, London vid Bombay, 13th February.
The Continental newspapers, though recognising that the Agree. ment is directed against the aggression of Russia, regard it as simplifying the situation and readjustimg the balance of power in' the Orient in a manner favourable to peace, strengthens the position of Great They admit that it enormously Britain, The certainty that the Agreement will command the sympathy of the where.—Reuter, United States is recognised every-
Later.
The United States Government welcomes the treaty; it is netitral, but its neutrality is benevolent and sympathetic, The American newspapers consider that the United States stands to gain much by the treaty, and should give its heartiest approval of it, The German Press believes that the tendency of the treaty will be to preserve the peace, but regards.it as distinct check to Russia.—Reuter, Tokio, 18th February, The Japanese Diet received' the announcement of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance with acclamation. The newal papers affirm that identity of interests as long been operating to draw the two Powers together nevertheless, England's abandonment of her habi. tual attitude of isolation, and' her conclusion of a written alliance which disregards racial and religious, prejudices must be regarded asa rear historical event, constituting a high honour for Japan.
All the journals emphasise' the peaceful purpose of the alliance,' and any Power, since its real purpose la insist that it is not directed against to preserve the tranquil and. equal enjoyment of legitimate opportunities, wherein all are interested, The leading papers fully recognise Japan's responsibility to worthily discharge the duties she has' now
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.