'Therefore I refuse to regard as hopeless the idea of an American-Anglo-Japanese alliance, guaranteeing the peaceful development of the vast resources of the Far East. Such an alliance exists essentially now--an alliance springing from cognate ideas, wishes, purposes and principles. This is the best possible foundation for that formal compact which the evolution of industry and commerce seems to me unmistakably to foreshadow.' [1] An extract from the _Chicago Daily News_. NOTE TO DIALOGUE V. Since the bulk of the present work went to press, I came across the following communication printed in the _Outlook_. I take the liberty of subjoining it herewith, without any vain intention of flaunting the virtues of my countrymen.--K.S. JAPANESE CHARACTER _To the Editor of the_ OUTLOOK SIR,--I have received during the last few weeks letters bearing such eloquent testimony to the nobility of Japanese character that I am sending you some extracts in the hope of your publishing them. The letters are from a friend of mine, who with her husband has lived in Yokohama for many years, and can therefore speak with considerable authority. The first extract is about the soldiers themselves-- Mine you know is a busy life, and I found work among the military hospitals and also among the brave wives of the soldiers so fascinating that from the New Year till early June I let all social duties slip, so much so that I had a nervous breakdown in June, and since then have had to go very slow.