expiration of one year from the day on which either of the
high contracting parties shall have denounced it. But if, when the
date fixed for its expiration arrives, either ally is actually
engaged in war, the alliance shall, _ipso facto_, continue until
peace is concluded."

In the meantime, however, difficulties had arisen between Russia and
Japan, over the former country's refusal to evacuate certain parts
of Manchuria, occupied as a result of the Boxer uprising in the
suppression of which Japanese troops had participated successfully
with those of the other great nations. Japan sent an ultimatum to
Russia which did not receive prompt enough attention and war was
declared in 1904. For the second time the world's attention was
centered on Japan, and to the amazement of the western world the
eastern empire defeated the Russian Colossus most severely and
consistently both on land and on sea. The financial burden of the
war, however, was a severe strain on the limited resources of the
young world power and it was forced to accept mediation proffered by
the United States at a time when not all its objects had been
accomplished. Peace was concluded at Portsmouth in the United
States. Japan was very moderate in the consideration of the terms as
we have already seen during the review of the history of Russia.

In 1907 both France and Russia signed agreements with Japan in
regard to the independence and integrity of China and acknowledging
the "open door" policy in commercial matters for all nations alike.

In 1910 Korea was annexed, much against the desire of the natives
who made Japan's task a difficult one by means of many uprisings and
conspiracies. Internal affairs during the last ten years also have
given cause for anxiety. The two great wars in rapid succession have
put a heavy financial burden on the shoulders of the great masses
and socialistic tendencies have found a fertile soil in Japan. Labor
disturbances have sometimes assumed serious proportions and so have
demonstrations against other nations who had aroused the animosity
of the Japanese people by some acts. In general, however, the
progress of the country continues.

Japan's attitude in the Great European War was, of course,
influenced chiefly by its alliance with Great Britain. Its general
attitude toward Germany had always been a friendly one. For as
Germany has played the successful schoolmaster along military and
scientific lines for many nations, it