NEWS OF THE WEEK
GENERAL SMUTS' conception of a European policy for this country is discussed at some length on another page, for it is in regard to this that the most immediate action is called for. But the crux of the: speech, it is safe to say, is the declaration that " the old Japanese alliance may have been, and in my opinion was, a mistake," and that " our Far Eastern policy Should be based on friendship with all, and exclusive understandings and alliances with none." There is a far stronger movement than is generally suspected in certain Whitehall departments, and in the Cabinet itself,' in favour of a renewal of the Anglo-Japanese alliance. Such a step would be an unqualified disaster. It would. alienate this country fatally from the United States and China and from practically all the Dominions, and the proposal to establish such relations with a State which left the League of Nations rather than conform to the principles of the Covenant would be unthinkable unless there were evidence that it was being seriously thought of. We desire to live, as General Smuts says, on terms of as cordial friendship with Japan as her policies, permit, but all talk of an alliance, whether prompted. by military or commercial motives, is pernicious to the last degree: - If General Smuts has given the idea its coup de grd4 he haS rendered conspicuous service to the Commonwealth.
