CO129-494 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1926 [9-10] — Page 132

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27th June, was to indicate how greatly changed for the worse (as it seemed to me) were Anglo-Japanese relations in the Far East, and how very important it is, if order is to be restored from the present chaos in China, that there should again be a cordial entente. between Great Britain and Japan concerning Chinese affaira.

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This view I believe to be shared by Sir C. Eliot. In the 86th paragraph of his despatch he states that he "greatly regretted the termination of the Anglo-Japanese alliance". In the 84th para- graph he notices with grief that in London indifference and suspicion of Japan seemed to have taken the place of friendship and that in the Japanese army British influence seemed to be declining. In the same para- graph he quotes the opinion of Viscount Kato, that, in

the absence of the alliance, the tendency will be for Great Britain and Japan to drift apart.

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As regards the attitude of Japan towarda Bolshevism Sir C. Eliot writes in the 86th paragraph

of his despatch that the extraordinary condition of

China and the dubious relations of Japan with the

Soviet forbid one to call impossible events which seem

highly improbable. He adds:- "Though at present the

main feeling of Japan towards Russia is anxiety, we

must not dismiss as fantastic the idea that, if deserted

by us, she might come to some understanding with the

Soviet about Chinese affairs".

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Concerning the general aims of Japan in China Sir C. Eliot says in the 34th paragraph of his despatch:- "It can hardly be doubted that she does not view with enthusiasm the prospect of a strong and flourishing

China":