[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
JAPAN.
CONFIDENTIAL.
F 849/348/23]
No. 1.
[March 8.]
SECTION 3.
471
Sir C'. Eliot to Earl Curzon,-(Received March 8.)
(No. 43.) My Lord,
Tokyo, February 2, 1921. I HAVE the honour to enclose herewith for your Lordship's information a press cutting containing a translation of the speeches delivered by Mr. Hara, the Minister-President, and Count Uchida, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of the resumption of the sittings of the Imperial Diet on the 22nd ultimo. Mr. Hara's speech deals mainly with generalities, and calls for no particular comment, the only features of interest in it being his references to the Californian land dispute and the trouble at Chientao.
With regard to the first, the Minister-President said that the question was being discussed by the two Governments in the most friendly spirit, and that a satisfactory settlement was anticipated. As regards the second, the despatch of troops to Chientao was only a temporary measure dictated by considerations of self- defence, and withdrawal would take place as soon as order was restored. In fact, most of the troops had already been withdrawn,
Count Uchida opened his speech with an account of the part played by Japanese representatives in Europe in connection with the enforcement of the terms of the Peace Treaty, adding that Japanese Legations were to be established in Poland and Greece, the Minister to the former having already been appointed, and that it was proposed to send representatives to Czecho-Slovakia and Roumania. Referring next to the League of Nations, he expressed the hope that Germany would shortly be admitted, and that the United States would see their way to joining their efforts with those of other nations for the realisation of the lofty aims of the League.
Disarmament, Count Uchida said, was to be welcomed for the general welfare of the human race; but the question was very complex, and it was to be feared that the idea might prove impossible of realisation unless all nations acted with one accord and in good faith.
Turning to the question of mandates. Count Uchida told his audience that, when the terms and the formulas of the mandates for the former German islands in the Pacific had come up for determination, a difference of opinion had arisen between Japan and Great Britain as to the interpretation of the stipulations relating to the mandates over the islands south of the Equator. An arrangement had, however, subsequently been arrived at, and the Japanese representative on the League Council had on the 17th December last made a declaration to the effect that Japan reserved the right to resume negotiations concerning the treatment of her nationals in those territories.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs then proceeded to give an account of the steps taken with regard to the Anglo-Japanese Alliance ris-à-vis of the League of Nations, adding that the principles which should guide the Japanese Government in the renewal of that instrument were a matter of serious study, regard being paid to the articles of the League Covenant and to the important changes which had taken place in the aspect of affairs since the alliance was first concluded. Both parties fully realised how greatly it had contributed to the peace, stability, and welfare of the entire Far East, and the most thoughtful elements among the two peoples desired its continuance.
Adverting next to the consortium, Count Uchida declared that its object was purely economic, to assist on one side the development of China, and to afford on the other equal opportunity for the private enterprise of the nations concerned. Unfortunately, the complete and peaceful unification of China was not in sight; but Japan sympathised deeply with her neighbour, and hoped that a future lay before China worthy of her great past. When the political situation last year looked threatening the Japanese Government had warned their nationals to refrain from anything which might be construed as participation in political strife.
Count Uchida's remarks on the Chientao operations followed the same lines as those of Mr. Hara; but he added that it was intended to make full provision in
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