§ Viscount WOLMERasked how, in the event of an attack upon either party to the Anglo-Japanese alliance by two or more allied Powers with whom one of the contrasting parties have concluded an arbitration treaty, the terms of the alliance would apply?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe terms of Article IV. of the Treaty clearly show that in no case is either of the contracting parties obliged to go to war with a third Power with whom either of them may have concluded a treaty of general arbitration.
§ Viscount WOLMERasked whether Article V. of the Anglo-Japanese Treaty does not, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, permit the Japanese Government to inquire as to the availability of the Australian Fleet in the event of war; whether any such inquiry has been made; whether His Majesty's Government has replied or, in the event of inquiry, intends to reply that the action to be taken by the Dominions in the event of war is not a subject for discussion with any foreign Government; and whether such a reply would be in accordance with the full and free consultation stipulated for by the article in question?