This week begins a period which may have far-reaching effects upon the political situation in the Far East, for coincident with the resumption of the Anglo-Japanese conversations over the question of Tientsin is the commencement of negotiations between the United States, and Japan on the subject of a new understanding to replace the treaty for trade and navigation between the two countries which has been denounced by Washington, and which will terminate next January. The settlement of the Kulangsu dispute leads to the hope that a similar happy result will follow the Anglo-Japanese discussions, for given good will on both sides there is no question involved which is not capable of adjustment, though it must be that type of good will which recognizes the rights and interests of both parties. Very considerable interest will be taken in the American-Japanese conversations, for they are of the most vital importance. Upon them depends whether the relations between the two countries, which are not particularly good at the moment, shall be worsened, or whether they can be improved. At the moment the two governments are very far apart. Mr, Joseph Grew, the United States Ambassador to Tokyo, in a recent speech set out the American position in terms which
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.