15 JULY 1916, Page 2

It is most satisfactory news that Russia and Japan have

con, 'chided an Agreement relating to the Far East: "Agreement' is hardly a strong enough word, for the arrangement amounts to rut alliance. The- terms- are brief, and in the prearrible they -are said to aim at the maintenance of "lasting peace" in the Far East: Article I. provides that Japan will not be a party to any coMbina-1 don- against Ruseia, and that-Russia will not be a party to wry combination against Japan. Article H. provides that if the rights or interests of either nation in the Far East are threatened, Japan and Russia will co-operate in their own defence.