File No. 763.72/1315
The Ambassador, in Japan (Guthrie) to the Secretary of State
Tokyo, November 23, 1914.
[Received December 17.]
No. 161]
Sir: Much space has naturally been given by the vernacular newspapers here to the question of the eventual disposition of Kiaochow. While much of this comment has been chauvinistic in tone, that of the more responsible papers has, on the whole, been temperate and discreet.
The Japan Times, which is the mouthpiece of the present Government, has all along rested on the assumption that the territory would eventually be restored to China, while keeping silent as to the terms and time of this restoration. The other more influential organs point out that in any case restoration is out of the question so long as the war lasts, that Germany must first be made to recognize the [Page 203] absolute forfeiture of her lease, and that the ultimate future of Kiaochow is a matter to be decided, after hostilities cease by Japan, China, and Great Britain.
The Hochi Shimbun, the Niroku and other “yellow” newspapers, with the Kokumin Shimbun, which is the organ of the militarists, flatly declare that the Government’s phrase, “with a view to eventual restoration,” was nullified by Germany’s resistance and that Tsingtao is and should be Japan’s war prize.
I have [etc.]