Topics of the Moment: The New Treaty; Enlarged Freedom in Russia

TOPICS OF MOMENT. BY DR. J. M. TANNER, SUPERINTENDENT OF CHURCH SCHOOLS.

The New Treaty.

On August 12, while the plenipotentiaries of Japan and Russia were wrestling with the terms of peace for those two coun- tries, the ministers of Japan and England were attaching their signatures to anew treaty of alliance that is hereafter to bring Great Britain and her new ally into closer relation than ever. By the terms of this new treaty, expressed in plain English, England agrees to support the Japanese in their dominant position in Corea and China, provided Japan will assist England in maintaining her present status in India. Of course, the attitude toward China, which is an independent nation, must of necessity be one of equal rights, or the open door to the commerce of the world. These two high contracting parties guarantee the integrity of the Chinese empire; that means that, hereafter, whatever concessions are granted by China must first be submitted to the Japanese and the British ministers at Pekin. This treaty touches Russia and Germany in tender places. Suppose Russia grows more determined to secure an outlet by sea, to the south of her vast empire, and seeks to establish harbors on the Persian Gulf. Over that body of water, Britain virtually pro- claims the Monroe doctrine and would resist an effort of Russia to secure a foothold there as a menace to her interests in India. Would Japan help to fight Russia back, in such a dispute? Does Japan also intend to assist India in maintaining the independence

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and integrity of Afghanistan, a country in which Russia and Eng- land have been struggling for predominance, because of its posi- tion between the two as a buffer state? In the great Shantung province, with its teeming millions of population, Germany is seeking predominance. Will Germany henceforth be confined to her harbor rights of Kiauchau, or will she be permitted to exploit all of Shantung, to which this harbor belongs, and maintain whatever concessions she may receive from China at the point of the sword? What is of still more vital im- portance, will Great Britain and Japan consent hereafter that Germany force from China concessions which in their nature shall be exclusive? This new treaty is really a notice, served on both Russia and Germany, that any aggression or inroads toward India or China, by either of these great powers, will be resisted. The question naturally arises, in view of this new alliance, will not Russia and Germany be compelled to form some sort of an alliance as a coun- ter march against Great Britain and Japan? The present difficulty in the way of such an alliance is the hostility existing between Germany and France. While the latter country is allied to Russia, it is much more friendly toward Great Britain than toward Ger-

many; however, friendships among nations are not what they used to be, and hostilities now give way much more readily before na- tional interests. Should any serious misunderstanding arise be- tween France and Great Britain, it is easy to see how the former may change her attitude in favor of Germany. This new treaty between Great Britain and Japan shows the sagacity of British diplomacy. The English statesmen saw very clearly that a guarantee by them to France of a free hand in Mor- occo would turn to excellent results in winning the friendship of France, and minimizing the possibilities of any alliance between her and Germany. This new treaty between Japan and Great Britain, is very different from the old. They agree to unite in waging war against a single foe of either country. Under the old treaty, mutual in- terest at arms was guaranteed only in case either country was at- tacked by a two-fold enemy. This new alliance will command much more the respect of the world at large, because all the world

52 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

has been taught admiration, respect, and deference for Japan's newly acquired and preeminent prestige.

Enlarged Freedom in Russia.

During the year and a half in which Russia has been carrying on war in Manchuria, the Russian reform forces have been grow- ing in strength, and little by little the autocratic government of the Czar has been giving concessions to their demands. Whether these concessions, made in the interest of home government, will be withdrawn, or be permitted to go on to their logical conclusion, is a question that is now giving rise to endless speculation. The Russian government has been so proverbial for its broken promises that the world at large does not seem to have much faith in the sincerity of its promises of reform. Whether the demands of the Zemstvoists will continue to receive some measure of liberality, or whether they will be ignored, and drastic measures enforced to subdue further agitation for reform, and a parliamentary govern- ment, is a matter of vital interest in Russia today. A settled de- termination has evidently been awakened among very large num- bers of Russian people to continue the agitation and demand for an enlarged liberty. In a short time an enormous army will be returning from the battle fields of Manchuria. They will bring with them memories of their hardships brought about by the present incompetent auto- cratic government. Many of their heart burnings will find a vent in their resentment against the present condition of affairs. Young officers of intelligence will tell the story of Russia's misfortunes, which be laid at the door of the present government. will The government of Russia, as well as the reformers, will await with anxiety the return of the army. If military influence is thrown on the side of the present au- tocratic government, it is generally believed that all promises and pretenses will be thrown aside, and the reformers suppressed in short order. In Russia, therefore, the coming months will be a time of great anxiety. Efforts will be made to enlist the soldiery on the side of the reform. Propagandists for a new Russia will be found throughout the army, but efforts will be made to suppress them, and it is easily seen that the present government may con-

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elude, if it feels that it can do so with safety, that it has some reason for denying the promises it has already made. The governments of the Grand Dukes and other nobilities may think that concessions would mean disorder and revolution, and it

is possible they may persuade the Czar that he is really moving to- ward his own downfall, and the overthrow of the Romanoff dy- nasty. For months to come, the eyes of all the world will be turned in the direction of Russia's struggle for a parliamentary govern- ment. Salt Lake City, Utah.