The Japanese papers are almost unaninamous in approving the new treaty of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. The "Nichi-Nichi," owned by' Mr. T. Kato, ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs, had on Thursday morning the longest and most exhaustive editorial. It asserts that as for the causes that have led to the conclusion of the now treaty of alliance both nations had their own reasons. On the part of Japan the changed condition rs in consequence of the war with especially in regard to Japan's position in Corea, has rendered the old treaty anachronistic on one of its most vitally important points. On Great Britain's part, there prevailed an impression among a section of her people that under the old treaty she had unde token obligations in excess of the advantages secured to her, Besides, the question of the defence of India has lately exercised the minds of the British people, and the result has been to impress them more thai with the necessity of effecting some arrangement with Japan for the maintenones of peace in Eastern Asia and India. Under these circumstances it is not says our contem-tain first proposed and Japan accepted the new treaty.
The "Nichi-Nichi" calls attention to the fact that should England engage in any Occidental struggle, Japan must stand ready to protect Indi phase of the struggle. Hitherto the friendship between the two nations may be said to ingered on the threshold of completion; it has been now carried to the most intimate point. Undoubtedly Japan's responsibility has been increased but she has a corresponding reward. Her tranquillity is assured fora long time and she is enabled to devote herself in security to the development of her resources, The Tokio paper further expresses its belief that each of the contracting parties has agreed to keep military and nova Preparations up to a point consistent with its responsibilities, and that neither upon the other. The only point to which the paper objects is the scope of Article
that Japan's hands are somewhat tied thereby. The semi-official " Kokumin" remarks that the conclusion of the new compact is not merely the continuntion of the old trouty, but implies the extension of its scope, character, and terms, resulting in the full-fledged offensive and defensive alliance. The old treaty had proved mutually very satisfactory and that it has been made positive in its character is quite a natural development. It is to the universal benefit, especially in view of the fact that it acts as an international instrument for the promotion of peace and provides for the m: ance of equal commercial opportunities. Japan's new burdens in India cannot but be very heavy, but in consideration of the British explicit recognition of Japan's protectorate over Corea.the result may be said to be just a fair bargain, Foreign Press, The Euslish papers in Yokohama say 1 that as to the terms of the new alliance gonoral anticipation has been born out. The "Japan Mail" points out that the clauses referring to Corea and Indin leave to each of the contracting parties a grant deal of discretion, for they absolve Japan from any obligation to respect the independence of Corea, and they warrant England in invading Afghanistan or Tibet should such a step suggest itself to her men as indispensable in the interests of India's safety, Further the independence and integrity of China are guaranteed. Henceforth no Power may venture to trespass upon China's territories without incurring the hostility of England and Japan, neither may avy Power attempt to acquire exclusive privileges in any district of the Empire. China, indeed, is one of the principal beneficiaries of the treaty. The terms of the tion, however, show explicitly that not directed against any Power which refrains from attempting to subvert the status quo in East Asia, to disturb the principle of equal commercial opportunities in China, or to challenge the torcitorial rights of the contracting The "Japan Gazette" says that this is a Convention of which it is i lo to say justly that one party obtains greater advantage than the other, Byits terms Great Britain merely follows jer recongnisod Far Eastern policy of maintaining the status quo, apan Herald," German organ, writes that apparently in the case of a provoked attack the other contracting Power will not feel called upon tu render assistance, but who is to decide whether provocation has or has not bee offered Speaking impartially, and pntting aside the responsibility of.going to wat, which weighs heavily on every Power, it would seem that such alliance places it within the power of either ally to carry out aggressive designs-on a third Power with the certainty of support. In some respects all al-Tinnces are challenges, inasmuch as they imply a fear of aggression from other Powers. The natural result is that they tend to the formation of contra-alliances among the other Powers to counterbalance the alleged advantages gained, Count Okuma's View.
Count Okuma, in an interview with a "Nichi Nichi" resprosentative, says that he is heartily pleased at the conclusion of the new alliance, which will prove of enormous: value in pro-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.