New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-02
Declares Japan's Pledge to
China Is More Than a
Monroe Doctrine
Territorial Aims
Renowned, He Says
Loyalty to u. S. and Allies
Proclaimed in Address
to Newspaper Men

Viscount Ishii declared last night
that Japan's pledge to respect the ter
ritorial integrity of China was more
than the enumeration Of a Monroe Doc
trine for the Far East. In what was
probably his last formal speech in this
country the head of the japanese COM
mission pointed out the distinction be-
tween the American doctrine and the
new Japanese resolve before the repre-
sentatives of sixty newspapers and
magazines at a dinner given by Oswald
Garrison Willard at the st. Regis Hotel.
Viscount Ishii said
Points Out Inaccuracy
"In a speech on Saturday night |
made particular reference to the policy
of Japan with regard to China. This
reference took the form of a repetition
of the pledge and promise that Japan
would not violate the political indie
pendence or territorial integrity Of
China; would at all times regard the
high principle of the open door and
equal opportunity. Now find that this
utterance of mine is taken as the enun-
citation of Monroe Doctrine in Asia.
81 want TO make it very clear to you
that the application of the term Mon
roe Doctrine to this policy and prin-
ciple, voluntarily outlined and pledged
by me, is Inaccurate. There is this fun
Gamental difference between the Mon
roe Doctrine and the enunciation 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 en-
gage not TO violate the political or ter
ritorial integrity of her neighbor.
Says Term Is Misleading
Therefore, gentlemen, you will mark
the wide difference and agree with me.
| am sure, that the use of the term is
somewhat loose and misleading. | ask
you to note this with no suggestion
that / can or any one else does ques-
ton the policy or attitude of your
country, which we well know will al
ways deal fairly and honorably with
other nations.
"As you must have noticed. | have
persistently struck one note every time
| have spoken. IL has been the note OF
warning against German intrigue in
America and in Japan rtrigue which
has extended over a p. Cd of more
than ten years. | am not going 20
weary you with repetition of this
squalid story of plots. conceived and
fostered by the agents of Germany, but
| solemnly repeat the warning here"
Ambassador Sato told Of the Difficult
ties he had experienced because of the
activity of the lingo press in this coun-
try. He said:
Time was-and it has been long and
weary. too-when black intrigues and
blatant propaganda against the Ameri-
can-Japanese amity lorded il over the
popular sentiment of your people But
that time, thank Heaven. is no more"
Urges Joint Commission
Mr.. Wizards address consisted of
plea that the present expressions of
friendship between the United States
anu JdpdH Dt lldht TIC bdoAo VI pttlii4-
nent amity. To achieve this end, he
proposed the creation OF a japanese
American commission, "to meet on con-
venient ground and 70 study and re-
port upon all the problems growing
out of the contracts Of the several
peoples concerned"
The other speakers were John
Dewey, professor of philosophy at
Columbia University; Don Seitz, bust
ness manager of The World" and Con-
troller Prendergast
The proposed trip Of the members Of
the commission TO Oyster Bay TO visit
Colonel Roosevelt day has been can
celed 1t was announced last night.
Viscount Ishii said that he had 20
forego the pleasure of visiting Saga
more Hill because he had severe cold,
and feared the automobile ride through
dusty country would irritate his
throat. Moreover, Vice Admiral
Takeshita would be unable to go. a
he was confined 20 his bed at Judge
Gary's home yesterday with a bad
cold.