THE ANGLO-JAPANESE TREATY.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:1
SIn,—Surely it is a mistake to regard the Anglo-Japanese Treaty as a " blow " directed either against Russia or against France. It is an expedient to prevent France and Russia striking a blow together. Rightly or wrongly, England and Japan are persuaded that singly and alone either of them is able to cope with Russian aggression in China. But neither of them alone could meet the combination of France and Russia. England could not venture to send her Fleet and armies to China if France threatened to attack her in the Mediterranean. Japan would be helpless against Russia if a French Fleet held the China Seas. But under the present Treaty England can hold France in check while Japan, aided by English money and some English troops, dealt with Russia. Practically the Anglo-Japanese Treaty renders it inexpedient for Russia to call in the assistance of her ally. It is not impossible that France, so far from resenting, is secretly congratulating herself on an arrangement which saves her the possible necessity of a very unwelcome inter- vention in matters which concern her very little.—I am,
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