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commercial intercourse with China, in common with other civilized nations, and Japan’s policy will be conducted on these lines. I am confident that this policy of Japan is in accord with British ideals, and I do not believe that the direction of British policy differs from ours. This is again conclusive evidence that British and Japanese interests are identical, and hence the necessity of maintaining a close and cordial relationship, which is no other than to continue the actual status of the present alliance. I said in the beginning that the present state was the climax of long evolution; I might almost say that it is an outcome of British policy in the East, which may be considered as already traditional. In its long course it was sometimes adopted by the Liberal Government, and sometimes by the Conservative, which you can easily discover by peeping into the pages of history; and, besides, I am happy to notice that it is backed by almost all the subjects of the great British Empire. Hence I may affirm that it is the national policy. An alliance of this kind does not mean to thwart other nations; on the contrary, we wish also to keep up friendly relations with them, which I presume is also the intention of Great Britain, and hence the Japanese are not jealous of Great Britain making l’entente cordiale with any of these nations. In fact, I do not doubt that among these nations too, even in France or Germany, there is many a heart which is beating with sympathy for Japan at this trying hour of hers. It must be understood that in these friendships there must be some difference of degree. Amongst these other nations we desire most the friendship of the United States of America. Almost all the sentiments I have expressed relating to England are also applicable to the United States, and, besides, there is no difference in the Far East in the interests and policy of England, the United States, and Japan. The Americans have shown their sympathy with Japan at this momentous hour in no less degree than Great Britain. I could wish that America would advance a step further, and enter into a more definite relationship with us. I understand that it is the policy of both the British and American Governments that they should keep up a close relationship, and I also understand that view is that of the thinkers of both nations, and in which they have already succeeded in convincing the vast bulk of their fellow-countrymen. There may perchance be some trifling difference of feeling now and then between some few particular individuals; but if there be such, they are, after all, like little differences of opinion between brothers and sisters or cousins. You cannot, after all, cut the natural bonds of Anglo-Saxon blood. Let, then, Great Britain and America be closely united, and allow Japan to stand by their side: it will be a sight worth seeing. Were England, America, and