The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-12

Of nonintegference in China would be
helpful to the cause OF the United
States and the allies.
The question OF special interest" was
raised by Viscount Ishil. Mr.. Lansing
told the Japanese plenipotentiary that
the United states recognized that ia
pan had a special interest in China on
account OF her geographical proximity
to China, but pointed out that the dam
ger of making a statement Of special
strue1 and misunderstood.
Mr., Lansing recognized that Japan
would insist, however, upon some such
statement, He was, incidentally, anx-
iods. he says, to secure something that
would be tantamount to a reaffirmation
Of the open door policy proclaimed by
Secretary John Hay in an exchange OF
notes with the six powers, including
japan.
Paramount" and Special"
So he pointed out that II Japan meant
paramount interest" when she used
the words Especial interest" the Unit
ed States could not discuss IL. On the
other hand, IL special interest meant
geographical contiguity, then the Unit
ed States would consider the phrase
to mea that. And, subsequently, the
Lansing -Ishil agreement was published,
laying special stress on geographical
proximity and stating that, on that ac-
count, the United States recognized Ja-
pans special interest in China.
Senator ~Brandegee interrupted Mr..
Lansing to inquire II a s~tenographer
was present when the conversation &C.
Cured, and the secretary said that as
usual in oral diplomacy, no record was
made at the time, but that, Immediate
ly after each conversation ,~he dictated
to a .at~enographer just what had oc-
CURED.
r,Nhat did viscount Ishii say when
ySu designated special interest as being
! Eeographical?' asked Senator Brande-
gee.
HE maintained silence" answered
the secretary.
1t was at this stage OF the hearing
that the Connecticut senator gave the
impression by his question that he did
not believe Japan acquiesced in Ameri-
cas- viewpoint that Especial interest
excluded political rights
II was here, too, thai the senators
asked Secretary Lansing his views on
the Monroe doctrine. He insisted that
1t was not an assertion OF paramount
by the United States In the southern
republics, but a policy, voluntarily an
nounced by us, to prevent other pow
ers from interfering In the affairs OF
the other countries in the Western
hemisphere.
Mr.. Lansing told Viscount Ishii that
the United States did not claim para
mount interest herself In the Western
hemisphere, but sought to prevent 9th.
ers from interfering In the self-devel-
opment Of the Central and South Amer
lean countries.
Senator Fall dissented from this In.
terpretation. Senator John Sharp VIII
liams got into a historical colloquy with
the New Mexico senator and everybod!
Joined in. Finally Chairman Lodge haA
to rap for order and Senator Borah re
marked with a smile that there hadn'
been any misunderstanding about thu
Monroe doctrine up to six months ago
Secretary Lansing couldn't help toss
ing in 4 little observation that the sen
ators themselves seemed to be at odd
over what 1t meant. The discussion
was academic, to be sure, but the reve
lation OF what Japan said to the Unite
States and what Secretary Lansin
said to the Japanese mission will prov
an interesting contribution to the rela
tions between the two countries, 70
Secretary Lansing's testimony become
a matter of public record. To that ex
tent the foreign relations committee ha
accomplished something c~onstructtV
In the diplomacy involving far Easter
problems.
copyright, 1919, by David Lawrence.