THE "MONROE DOCTRINE" OF ASIA
JAPAN'S IHANA IN THE FAfl EAST _Viscount Kihijiro Ishli, Ambassador trtraordinary and Plenipotentiary ok' Special Mission' to America, recently epoke at a dinner in New Tort on thoi Monroe Doctrine" of the Far East— Japans mana. Ho said! There is ones explanation I would like to make here" 1 before _ you, and request you tpV transmit to ttio people of this country. In a recent speech I! made particular reference to the policy of Japan with regard to China. This reference took the form of,a repetition of the pledge and. promiso that Japan would not violate the, political independence or territorial integrity of China j at all times regard the* nigh prirjiple of the open door and', equal opportunity. Now I find that: this utterance of mine is taken as the> ' Qnunclation of a "Monroe Dootrine in Asia." I want to make it very clear' to you that the application of the term "Monroe Doctrine to this policy and. principle, 7 Toluntarily outlined and.. pledged by me, is inaccurate. There is this fundamental difference between the "Monroe Doctrine" of the United States as to Central and South Amerioa and tho ennnoiation of Japan's;' attitude toward China. In the first: there is on the part of the United States: no engagement or promise, while in the. other Japan voluntarily announces that Japan will herself engage not to violate, the political or territorial integrity of herneighbour, and to observe the principle of the open door and equal opportunity, asking at the same time other nations to respect these principles. Therefore, gentlemen, you will mark the wide difference and agree with me, I am sure, that the use of the term is somewhat loose and misleading. I ask you to note this with no suggestion that I can or any one else does question the policy or attitude of your country, which we well know will always deal fairly and. honourably with other nations.
As you must have noticed, I have pereistenlty struck one tone every time I have spoken. It has been the note of warning" against German intrigue itii Amerioa and in Japan—intrigue which, has extended over a period of more than, ten years. I am 1 not going to weary you with a repetition of this squalid 6tory of plots, conceived and fostered bv the agents of Germany, but I solemnly repeat the warning here in this mo;j distinguished . gathering, so thoroughly representative 'of the highest ideals of American journalism. In my speeches at various places I have endeavoured to speak frankly on all points at issue or of interest at thistime. There are, of course, some thingswhich cannot be openly discussed, because of a wise embargo upon unwise disclosures, but I am confident that front this time forward we will be able to effectively co-operate in all matters tending to secure a victory in this struggle which means so much for all cf us, and', that throughout all the years to come,, differences of opinion or difficulties arising between our two countries will be settled, as all snoh questions and difficulties can be settled, between closo friends and partners.
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Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 41, 12 November 1917, Page 6
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525THE "MONROE DOCTRINE" OF ASIA Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 41, 12 November 1917, Page 6
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