File No. 763.72/1197
The Ambassador in Japan (Guthrie) to the Secretary of State
Tokyo, October 8, 1914.
[Received November 11.]
No. 135]
Sir: Referring to my telegrams of October 6, 10 p.m.,2 and the 7th, 11 p.m.,3 regarding the operations of the Japanese Fleet in the [Page 191] Marshall Archipelago, I have the honor to enclose a translation from the Official Gazette of the notification upon which the telegrams were based.1
In this connection I have the honor to report that the vernacular newspapers which comment on the question approve the action of the Government, and state that it came as a pleasant surprise, in view of the official declaration that military operations would be limited to Japanese and Chinese waters. It is interpreted as an indication that the diplomatic policy of the present ministry is not so irresolute as was supposed at the beginning.
While the newspapers apprehend that the event will provoke criticism in the American and Australian press, most of them consider that there is no occasion for suspicion on the part of either the United States or Australia, as Japan has disavowed any intention to seek territorial aggrandizement. They believe on the contrary that these countries should appreciate the assistance of Japan in preserving order in the South Sea and ensuring, the safety of international commerce in that region. The action is taken in pursuance of the alliance in conjunction with Great Britain, which at present is by itself unable to cope with the enemy in the Pacific. The press is of the opinion that the developments now taking place will increase the sphere and efficacy of the alliance.
The Yamato Shimbun thinks that the war will also result in the recognition of the principle of the open door and equal opportunity in the South Sea, which has hereto been regarded by Europe and America as their exclusive monopoly. This recognition should produce a better understanding and more cordial neighborhood between Japan and the other powers having interests in the Pacific.
The Yoroau Choho, a sensational and antigovernment journal, takes this opportunity to express unfriendly sentiments against the United States. It says that the three American naval bases at Hawaii, Guam and the Philippines, have not only checked the natural extension of Japanese interests in the south Pacific, but have rendered Japan helpless against intimidation from that region, and that the necessity of securing a point of vantage to counteract this opposition has been met in the acquisition of the Marshall Islands.
The Niroku Shimbun, also a “yellow journal,” voices similar opinions, believing that the predestined direction of Japanese expansion lies in the southern seas, and suggesting that Jaluit may be retained as a starting point in this southward movement.
I have [etc.]