The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-11-06
UNITED STATES
and JAPAN NOW
IN FULL ACCORD
SAYS LANSING
Complete Understanding
Reached As Result of
Visit Of Mission =
"oPEN DOOR" IN
CHINA PLEDGED
Germany's Efforts To Pro
mote Friction Between
Two Nations Frustrated
(By Associated Press.)

\
Washington, Nov. 6.-Japan and
the United States have reached a
complete agreement in relation to
China and at the same time have
arrived at clear understanding as
to military, naval and economic CO.
operation in the war against Ger
many.
This development was announced
today by Secretary Lancing. who
made public notes exchanged by him
and Viscount Ishii, the special Jap
anese ambassador. formally record
ing an agreement recognizing that
Japan has a special interest in China
but pledging the independence and
territorial integrity Of the great east
ern republic and reaffirming the
doctrine OF the 'open door" for COM
merce and industry.
In a statement accompanying the
note Mr.. Lansing said Viscount Ishii
and the members OF his mission, now
on their way home, had performed a
service of the highest value to the
United States as we'll as to- Japan, by
clearing away misunderstanding
which if unchecked, promised to
develop a serious situation in the far
west. He spoke Of the attitude of
constraint and doubt fostered by a
campaign of falsehood adroitly and
secretly carried on by the Germans
and said that through the franlness
and cordiality of the Japanese COM
missioners, the propaganda of years
had been undone in a few days.
Service To Both Nations.
In his statement accompanying the
announcement Secretary Lansing
said:
.'Viscount. Ishii and the other Jap
hnese confmissio sionerS. who are now
on their way back to their country
have performed a service to- the
United States as well as to Japan
which is of the highest value.
There had unquestionably been
growing up between the peoples OF
the two countries a feeling of sus-
picion as to the motives inducing the
activities of the other in the far
east, a feeling which, lie unchecked,
promised to develop a serious situa-
ton. Rumors and reports of i'm
proper intentions commercial and
Industrial enterprises without ul-
terror motive were presumed to have
political significance with the result
that opposition to those enterprises
were aroused in the other coun-
try.
'.The attitude OF constraint and
doubt thus created was fostered and
encouraged by the campaign Of false
hood which for a long time had been
adroitly and secretly carried on by
Germans whose government as part
Of its foreign policy desired especial
ly to so ALLEVIATE this country and
a. "a Il l. 4fR,
time no difficult task to cause rup-
ture of their good relations.
Have Cleared Situation.
"By frankly denouncing the evil
influences which have been at work,
by openly proclaiming that the policy
OF Japan Is not one of aggression,
and by declaring that there is no
intention to take advantage COM
mercially or industrially of the spec
ial relations to China created by
geographical position the representa-
tiVes of Japan have cleared the
diplomatic atmosphere of the sus-
picions which have been so carefully
spread by our enemies and by mis-
guided or over jealous people in both
countries. In few days the
propaganda OF years has been un-
done and both nations are now able
10 see now near AANN NesAAAC 70 0CAA4G
led into the trap which had been
skillfully set for them. !.
THE removal of doubts and sus-
picions and the mutual declaration
OF the new doctrine as to the far east
would be enough to make the visit
OF the Japanese commission to the
United States historic and memor-
able, but il accomplished a further
purpose, which IS of special interest
to the world at this time, in ex-
pressing Japan's earnest desire to
Cooperate with this country in wag-
ing war against the German govern
ment."
Though only hinted at in Secretary
Iansing's statement it is known that
the Germans had calculated to weak
en- the American campaign against
Germany in Europe by obligtng the
WASHINGTON government to keep at
home q large section of the United
states army and to maintain in Paci-
fie waters a numerous American
naval feet, to guard against an in-
vasion from Japan.
Now it Is believed that the United
States not only can deal with its
prosecution Of the war with a freer
hand, but that Japan viii be able
greatly to augment the efforts she
has been making to sweep the Pacific
and Indian oceans clear OF German
raiders, to aid the allied navtes in
the Mediterranean and possibly
even to employ Japanese troops in
the campaign against Germany.
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