It was announced on Thursday that the diplomatic representatives of
France and Russia had communicated a joint declaration to the Great Powers in which they, in effect, give their answer to the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. This declaration begins by describing that Alliance as concluded to preserve the status quo in the Far Eaat, and goes on to endorse it on behalf of Russia and France because it affirms the principles they have always upheld. All the same, should trouble arise owing to the aggression of a third Power, or through fresh internal troubles in China, which would prove a, menace to their interests, the two allied Powers reserve the right to consider eventually means of ensuring the defence of
their interests. As we have pointed out elsewhere, this prac- tically means that Russia and France answer the Anglo- Japanese Alliance by an Alliance of their own in the Far East, and politely inform us that there will be no war with a single Power. If war comes, it will be the war with two Powers contemplated by our Alliance. In our opinion, it is a matter of satisfaction that Russia and France should have spoken out plainly. The declaration will make the British public understand the nature of their commitments in regard to Japan. It is much better to face facts, however disagreeable, than to turn one's back on them and say they do not exist.
