The third event of the week is perhaps the greatest
and most important of all, though the general public here only see it through a glass darkly. It is the discussion which is proceeding in the Imperial Conference with regard to the renewal of the Japanese Alliance. Our readers know our views and arguments so thoroughly that we need not repeat them in detail. We will content ourselves by asking any person who is unconvinced to enumerate the arguments in favour of renewal, now that the cause of the Treaty—i.e., the risk of Russian domination—has passed away. We believe they will not find a single valid argument in favour of linking our fate with that of Japan in the Pacific. Needless to say, we do not want to quarrel with Japan or even to be cold or unfriendly. We repudiate in the strongest possible degree the notion that not to renew the Alliance is an unfriendly act. It was to prevent such a notion arising that those who negotiated the Treaty did not make a permanent affiance but instead an alliance for a definite term of years—one which would automati- cally cease unless renewed. They looked forward, that is, to the time when the need for the affiance would not exist, and the need for complete freedom on our part would have arrived. They arranged, that is, that the Treaty could be dropped without even the appearance of discourtesy to Japan.
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