15th November, THE above is the title of the leading article in the "Spectator" of the 30th of September last, and though its writer is not as conversant as he might be with the actual situation in China, it is a very interesting criticism of the new treaty of alliance. It, may perhaps be remembered that the "Spectator" was by no means a cordial friend of the former treaty of] alliance with Japan; it was possessed with some of. the prejudices against which the Japanese had to fight strenuously when the first treaty twas made; it could not altogether persuade itsd. that there was not something monstrous in an alliance between a Western, Christian, white nation and an Oriental, heathen, yellow nation. But it had to ne-knowledge that those who advised our Foreign Office to make the desired alliance were not mistaken; and when "that treaty had its natural consequence in the struggle with Russia, we recognised," the "Spectator" says, "that it would be impossible to turn back, and that for the future the only path of safety lay in pursuing our chosen course with resolution and confidence, maintaining our obligations to Japan not merely in the letter but in the spirit, and since we could not retain the advantages of absolute independence in Asia, reaping at any rate the full benefits of the alliance. In other words, we realised that our relations with Japan must become closer, and. our obligations and duties to our ally more exacting." It goes on to a-k whether the revised treaty is the best, that could. be made? Does it give us as many advantages and involve us in as few risks, as possible And does it, sufficiently regard the feelings of other Powers, and thus tend to preserve the general peace of the world?
"All these questions the "Specta-for" answers in the affirmative; "it is! honest and straightforward treaty, drawn with x due respect to the rights of others, and untainted either by jealousy or by the desire to make mischief and ill-blood with Powers who may be regarded as our rivals." The treaty secures two main points. It guarantees to Japan the enjoynient ofthe special position she has won in Corea and Manchuria, A coalition of powers, superior to her at sea, might. have cut her off fro the mainland, but our fleet would prevent that. On the other. band, Japan undertakes to assist us if our Indian frontier is attacked, To the outside world. the chief advantage of the alliance is that it secures the independence and inter grity of China, "It is conceivable that this resuls may be unwelcome to Germany and Russia, but it" is welcome to-all the other Powers, who have no desire to acquire territory in China. And the treaty which was signed on the 12th"of August, " in-Griestionshly made the task of the ace Conference much easier, since it enabled Japan to yield with safety far more than but for iv she could have Yielded:" One great danger the "Spectator" sees in the treaty; in relieving the mind of China of any fears for the maintenance of her inter grity and independence, we may be making. the same mistake that was made when the independence and integrity of Turkey were guaranteed which has "enabled a corrupt and inefficient Government to continue in, existence, but such continued existence has not only brought great misery to the Turkish population, but also involved great danger to the peace of the world, If the joint guarantee of Britain and Japan is to Ghinese rule, and to maintain a cor ive a new lease of life to the evils of
rupt, oppressive, and decadent system of government in power over a third of the population of the world, it is conevivable that the good.results which may otherwise flow from the treaty will have been puichaced too dearly." But the "Spectator," as we have said, do-s not clearly understand the situation in China, and indeed it is unique. The "Spectator's" fear is that China, having her mind set at rest as to her future, will decline to reform herself in any way; and it says, that "if incidentally the result of our action 1s to support misgovernment in China and to prevent reform, we may some duy discover that instead of keeping China quiet, we have precipitated a' revolution. Should revolution and anarchy break out in Chitia, we may find ourselves with the very dangers and difficulties that have pursued Kiuropean diplomacy in the ease of Turkey during the lst fifty years, and on a much greater scale, If anarchy were once to take huid of China, it would be impossible to make that ring-fence found her which we call. ihe maintenance of integrity and independence, and the result might be an outbreak of that jjenlousy and animosity among' the European Powers which it is one of the chief objects of the new treaty to The trouble in China, however, is not. so much misgovernment, but Uhat the nominal government is so weak and so ignorant, as well us. corrupt, that it is not*a government. It is plunging wildly into reforms under the guidance of. men with a smattering of knowledge, reformers who do not see where thir reforms are taking them. "All we can is," says the "Spectator," "to hope that, owing to the character of her, population, China may prove more able. to reform herself than Turkey,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.