File No. 763.72/1092
The Ambassador in Japan (Guthrie) to the Secretary of State
Tokyo, September 22, 1914.
[Received October 13.]
No. 127]
Sir: I have the honor to report that the war budget for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1915, voted by the special session of the Diet convened on the 4th instant, amounts to $26,500,000, which in addition to the estimated expenses for operations on land and sea against Kiaochow, includes an appropriation for the construction of ten destroyers.
The session was first called for three days, but owing to the opposition of the Seiyukai, which questioned the good faith of the Government, and consumed the time in heated interpellations, it became necessary to extend the period to six days. One of the members accused the Prime Minister of “forcing unanimity on the nation” in the present war; to which the Minister replied, “If you approve the Government’s action, please support it; if you do not, oppose it openly and manfully.” This altercation intensified the feeling, and threatened to precipitate disorder in the lower House, but the opposition was finally brought to terms by its leader. The attitude taken by the Seiyukai evoked the criticism of almost the entire press, which denominated it as “puerile.”
The Minister for Foreign Affairs in his explanation to the Diet of the events which led to the outbreak of the war in Europe and to the participation of Japan in the Far East, stated that—
In the early part of August England requested Japan to furnish her assistance under the terms of the alliance. After submitting the request to the Emperor the Government announced its intention to Great Britain, and a cordial exchange of views followed, as a result of which it was decided necessary to take the proper measures for the protection of the general interests contemplated by the alliance. Japan did not voluntarily throw herself into the whirlpool of war, but acted in the belief that it was her duty under the alliance.
The Minister also communicated to the Diet the following official note received from the British Government:
The British Government having no previous agreement with the French and Russian Governments, have now concluded an agreement with the two Governments with regard to the war now being carried on in common. In view of Article II of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, there is no necessity of concluding such an agreements between the Japanese and British Governments. The British Government have informed the French and Russian Governments that the agreement with them as to making peace and terms of peace must [Page 185] not, be regarded as modifying in arty way the provisions of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, which is a prior obligation upon the British Government, and the said two Governments have been informed that the British Government must of course act in common and in mutual agreement with the Japanese Government as regards the conduct of war and making peace.
In this connection the Minister stated in reply to an interpellation that the British forces are expected to cooperate with the Japanese in the military operations against Kiaochow, but that with reference to Kiaochow after the war there is no agreement between the two Governments outside the provisions of the alliance.
The Minister during the session took occasion to express the appreciation of the Government for the service rendered by the United States in undertaking the protection of Japanese interests and subjects in Germany and Austria during the war, in the following language:
I cannot dose my speech without t word on the courtesy which the American Government were good enough to extend to the Imperial Government in connection with the present trouble.
When the relations between Japan and Germany reached a point of rupture, the Imperial Government asked the American Government if in ease or need they would be good enough to undertake the protection of Japanese subjects and interests in Germany. This request the American Government promptly complied with. Subsequently upon the rupture of diplomatic relations between Japan and Austria-Hungary, the Imperial Government again appealed to the American Government for the protection of Japanese subjects and interests in Austria-Hungary, and Were given the game willing consent as before. I desire to avail myself of this opportunity to give an expression to the sincere appreciation on the part of the Imperial Government of the courtesy so kindly extended by the American Government.
I have [etc.]