Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-11-07
Official Circles Pronounce Act Most Momentous
 During War Period.
MONROE DOCTRINE
 IS NOT AFFECTED
of the Pan.American Doctrine of Hands Off-Japan's Interests Are Not
 Specified.

Washington. Nov. f-Formal an i nouncement today of the agreement between the United States and Japan in regard to China was greeted in diplomatic and official circles as one of the momentous events of the war period.
 It's effects are expected to be far reaching, both upon future develop ments in the Far East and upon the prosecution of the war against Ger many. In addition to the notes ex changed between Secretary Lansing and Viscount Ishii, the special Japan ese ambassador, recording an agree ment recognizing Japan's special in terests in China, guaranteeing the in- dependence and territorial integrity of China and reaffirning the "open door' policy, it is announced that sat isfactory understanding has been reached as to military, naval and economic cooperation. Informally, it is explained that this agreement is in no sense an application of the Monroe doctrine to the Orient, but instead is rather an application of the pan-American doctrine of hands off. It does not altar the Root-Tak- ahira "open door" agreement in any way, tho it supplements it.
 The differentiating betw cen the Monroe doctrine and pan-Amaricaa- ism officials said the former was dis tinctly national policy while the latter was altruistic and international
 No intimation was given as to what would be considered the special ins terest' of Japan. but the comparison was drawn with the position, of the United States as regards Mexico. The text of the note has been commu- nicated to China thru the Chinese em- bassy, but it was stated that no statement would be made here regard ing China's position until some word has been received from Peking.
 The following is the state depart ment's announcements:
 "On Friday, Nov. ?, 1917, the secre- tary of state and Viscount Isnii, the special Japanese ambassador ex- changed at the department: of state the following note dealing with the policy of the United States and Japan in regard to China:
 Department Of State, Washington,
 "'NOv. Z, 1917.
 'Excellency-I have the honor to communicate herein my understand ing of the agreement reached by us in our recent conversations touching the questions of mutual interest to our governments relating to the re- public of China.
 "In order to silence mischievous reports that have from time to time been circulated, it is believed by us that a public announcement once more of the desires and intentions shared by our two governments with regard to China is advisable.
 "T1e governments of the United States and Japan recognize that ter ritorial propinquity creates special relations between countries. and con sequently. the government of the Unit ed States recognizes that Japan has special interests in China, particu- larly in the parts to which her pos. sessions are contiguous.
 China's Sovereignty.
 "'Tle territorial sovereignty of China. nevertheless remains unim' paired and the government of the United States has. every confidence in the repeated assurances of the impe- rial Japanese government that while geographical position gives Japan such special interests they have no desire to discriminate against the trade Of other nations or to disre- gard commercial rights heretofore granted by China in treaties with other powers. NJ ".The governments of the United States and Japan deny that they have any purpose to infringe in any way the independence or territorial in tegrity of China and they declare, l furthermore. that they always adhere to the principle of the so-cailed "open door, or equal opportunity for com merce and industry in China.
 "'Moreover, they mutually declare 1 that they are opposed to the acquisi. tion by any government of any spe- 1 cial rights or privileges that would 1 affect the independence or territor- ! ial integrity of China or that would l deny the subjects or citizens of any l country the full enjoyment of equal I opportunity in the commerce and in 1 dustry of China. SSs
 @sI shall IS glad to have youk sex l cellency confirm this und ersta hdinl I| of the aaseomontI reached by ual < Z.
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