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Sir E. Grey's communication is not forgotten: here and there are signs that this country does not want it forgotten. As appears in my despatch No. 773 of the 9th instrut, the United States and Japan exchange of notes has afforded an opportunity to revive its memory; and the communication is yet more strongly underlined in the above-mentioned newspaper paragraphs, as if to reinforce and perpetuate its validity.
It will therefore be of interest to place once more on record here, with chapter and verse, an account of what then passer."
A rumour
In November 1915 the question was first raised of the desirability of China participating in the war against Germany. The Japanese Government took offence on learning that conversations had already been taking place between the Governments of Great Britain, France, Russia, and China before Japan had been consulted. was then started that His Majesty's Government were negotiating an alliance with China. In his telegram No. 353 of the 26th November, 1915, Lord, then Sir E, Grey, instructed me to deny this story to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, adding, "We have no intention of entering upon political negotiations with China except in consultation with Japan." This message I accordingly communicated to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and it is doubtless to this that reference is made in the enclosed newspaper extract.
In the following January, in the course of negotiations with the Japanese Government respecting the desire of Yuan Shih-kai to ascend the throne of China. Sir E. Grey said to the Japanese Ambassador that "His Majesty's Government wished to keep in touch with Japan, who had special interests and influence in China" (see Foreign Office telegram No. 12 of the 11th January, 1916). In obedience to my instructions I accordingly informed Viscount Ishii of this in the private letter dated the 12th January, 1916, of which a copy is enclosed, and recorded the fact of my having done so in my telegram No. 16 of the same date.
In the final paragraph of my telegram No. 85 of the 14th February, 1916, I referred to the desirability of consulting Japan before moving in China, and to this Sir E. Grey replied in his telegram No. 64 of the 16th February, 1916: "Certainly we shall not move at Peking, or discuss with the other Powers a without consultation with and the concurrence of Japan."
plan of action there,
From the references in the press it would seem that, although Sir E. Grey's assurances have not been embodied in any published official document, they have nevertheless become more or less generally known here, and are interpreted in Japan as a definite recognition on the part of His Majesty's Government of Japan's special position in China, not only in connection with the particular occasion or the peculiar circumstances in which they were given, but as a guiding principle to govern the political relations of Great Britain and Japan in regard to China for all time. thought it well to look up the correspondence and quote the actual language used at I have the time, so that you may be in a position to judge whether or no His Majesty's Government accept what appears to be the Japanese interpretation.
I am forwarding a copy of this despatch to His Majesty's Minister at Peking.
I have, &c.
CONYNGHAM GREENE.
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country is by no means responsible, has undergone a great change since the Anglo- Japanese Alliance was signed for the third time in 1911, and the condition has become such that the peace of this quarter of the globe is effectively maintained virtually by Japan alone. The United States' formal recognition of Japan's special interests in Cliina only exemplifies the reality of the position this country occupies in the Far East. Yet the treaty of alliance between Japan and Great Britain, which forms the foundation of the diplomatic policy of this country, contains no such provision as can be taken to recognise definitely the actual status of Japan in the Orient, ignoring the changed condition in this part of the world. Furthermore, the term of the Alliance expires on the 13th July, 1921, less than four years bence. Even if it were not for other
any purpose than as a precaution against the possible misunderstanding by Great Britain as to the changed position of Japan, that should alone be sufficient cause for revising the terms of the Alliance.
The conservative declares that the fear of possible misunderstanding on the part of Great Britain as to Japan's position in the Orient lacks urgency, in the face of the declaration by Sir Edward Grey, the then British Foreign Secretary, in November 1915, that Great Britain would not take any political action regarding China without first conferring with Japan. Though not in documentary form, this declaration by the British Foreign Secretary testifies to England's understanding of the status of this Empire. Besides, the present time, when she is engaged in the all-absorbing war against the enemy of the Allies, of which Japan is a member, is not opportune for this country to bring up such a question.
While it cannot be denied that the signing of the new Japanese-American understanding by Viscount Ishii and Mr. Lansing has given rise to further study of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance among the leading men of the country, it is unlikely that the Tokyo Government will approach the British Government on the matter while the war lasts. At least in Government circles the general consensus of opinion yesterday was that, whether or not Japan may propose the revision, the question should be kept in a pigeon-hole until the war is over.
(Private.) Dear Excellency,
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
Sir C. Greene to Viscount Ishii.
Tokyo, January 12, 1916. WITH reference to our conversation of this morning, I have this evening received a further telegram from Sir Edward Grey informing me that he had spoken to Marquis Inouye in the same sense. Sir Edward desires me to explain to your Excellency that he does not press for a decision now. The outbreak of serious trouble in China wauld change the aspect of the question. What Sir Edward wishes is to keep in touch with Japan, who enjoys special interests and influence in China, and so to be in agreement with the Imperial Government when the moment comes when a decision must be arrived at.
Sir Edward adds that both the Russian and Italian Ambassadors had enquired his views, and that he had replied that he was discussing the question with your Excellency.
Yours sincerely,
CONYNGHAM GREENE.
Enclosure 1 in No. 1.
Extract from the "Japan Times" of November 10, 1917.
ANGLO-JAPANESE ALLIANCE REVISION,
IT is authoritatively learned that more than one person whose views on the foreign affairs of the nation weigh well with the Government holds that the existing Anglo- Japanese Alliance should be so revised so as to meet the changed position of Japan in the Orient since that compact was signed in 1911 for its renewal. however, though the need of such revision is not denied altogether, the opinion În Government circles, prevails, as far as can be learned, that it is not yet the time to attempt it.
The revisionists are said to base their arguments on the ground that the position of the Empire in the East, through a series of unlooked-for events for which this
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