On Monday in the Chamber of Deputies M. Pichon read
the text of the Agreement just concluded between France and Japan. M. Pichon described the Agreement as a guarantee for a lasting peace in Asia. Japan thus gave a peremptory reply to those who accused her of having ambitions in the direction of conquest. The Agreement supplemented the negotiations . of Russia, and offered satisfaction to the policy of Germany, Italy, and the United States in China, since they all aimed at economic equality in that country. "This Agreement was a fresh proof of the pacific work of France." The world in general will, we believe, view the Agreement with satisfaction, and will see no reason to doubt the truth and sincerity of M. Piolion's explanation. Agreements between nations to support the status quo—which is all the Agreement does—can only be distasteful to Powers anxious to carry out ambitions designs.
