IT IS now stated, “on high British authority”, that there is no foundation for the suggestion that there is any secret engagement between Japan and Great Britain, and there are no unpublished clauses additional to the text of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance Treaty of 1911. It is also pointed out that Clause IV. was expressly inserted in the Treaty to relieve Great Britain from obligation join Japan in a war against the United States. So far as that goes it is satisfactory, though we cannot pretend to surprise at American anxiety so long as our policy is to give general support to Japan. Persons acquainted with Japanese affairs are under no delusion that her ambition is world conquest. To that ideal her energy and vitality are bent much as was Germany’s from 1870 to 1914. One correspondent, indeed, who has lived long in Japan, says unequivocally that she became “the Germany of the Far East” after her victory over Russia. That was the turning point, and from that moment to this every child in every school or college has been taught that the Japanese are heaven-born rulers of the Universe. That Great Britain, which has so long been privileged to stand before the world as a great Christianizing and civilizing power, should be entangled in the war-like ambitions of a heathen oriental race is a matter for congratulation to none but the Japanese.