Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-08-11
Mr.. Lansing Explains Amer
ica's Attitude Toward "Spe-
cial interests" in China.
U. S. PROPOSED PACT
ny DAVID LAWRENCE.


sanction the so-called Shantung set
Element and the previously made Lam
sing-Ishii agreement.
This 10 the sum and substance OF
Secretary Lansing's Interpretation and
explanation before the Senate foreign
relations committee Of the reasons
which actuated the United States gov
eminent in recent negotiations with
Japan.
But also there was brought out
some very interesting information
concerning the viewpoint expressed
by the United States to Japan in the
oral conversations between Viscount
Ishii and Secretary Lansing. First
made by Viscount Ishii that Japan
wanted a sort Of Monroe doctrine in
the far east.
Declaration Of Policy.
To this Secretary Lansing reveals
what has hitherto been unknown-that
the United States said to Japan there
was no parallel between the Monroe
doctrine and the LAnsing-Ishf pro-
posals- Mr.. Lnasing described the
latter as simply a declaration Of pol
icy by two nations-the United states
and Japan-toward the rights Of a
third power, China, whereas, the Mon
roe doctrine was Q national doctrine.
announced by America to prevent out
side powers from interfering in the
self-development OF the nations to the
south of us.
The story told by Secretary Lansing
OF his conversations with Viscount
lshtt have an important bearing on
the present discussion Of the peace
treaty because several senators have
cause the United States recognized a
special interest" of Japan in China
when the Lansing Ishii agreement
vas stgned therefore America was
views on the shantuns question.
Much OF the inference has grown out
OF the succession of dates For in
stance. the famous japanese demands
on China resulted In an agreement
Ishii agreement was made In Novem-
ber. 1917. But. Mr.. Lansing has
thrown An important light on the
negotiations which followed the ar
Japanese mission headed By Viscount
Ishii.
Statement Would Be Helpful.
Secretary Lansing pointed out that
owing to the suspicion and rumor
and propaganda which were at work
5 5ae ,mp cs,'s m. had gone out that
Of China while the United States and
other powers were at war. There
fore, he believed . definite statement
BY japan of non-interfsrence in
Of the United States and the allies.
The question Of special interest
was raised by viscount Ishii Mr.
lansing told the japanese pleni-
t tst fae u1 hss
ciai interest In China. on account Of
her geographical proximity to China,
but pointed out that the danger Of
making a statement Of special in
terest" was that It might be mis-
construed and misunderstood.
Mr.. Lansing recognized that Japan
would insist. however. upon some such
statement He was Incidentally anx-
ious. he says, to secure something
that would be tantamount to . re-
anrmaticn Of the open,door policy pro-
claimed BY Secretary John Hay in an
exchange Of notes with the six powers,
including Japan So he pointed out
that If japan meant paramount in.
terest. when she used the word "spe-
ciai interest,"" the United States could
not discuss It. On the other hand. II
special interest" meant geographical
would consider the phrase to mean
that And. subsequently. the lansing
Ishii agreement was published, laying
special stress on geographical proxim-
ity and stating that ON that account
the United States recognized Japan's
special interest In China
Made Record Of Occurrence.
Senator Brandegee interrupted Mr..
lansing to inquire II . stenographer
was present when the conversations
occurred. and the Secretary said that,
as usual in oral diplomacy. no record
was made at the time. but that i'm
mediately after each conversation he
dictated, to a stenographer just what
had occhrred.
What did Viscount Ishii say when
you defined special interest as being
geographical" asked Mr.. Brandegee.
He maintained silence" answered
It was at this stage Of the hearing
that the Connecticut senator gave
the impression by his question that
he didn't believe Japan acquiesced in
.. xss"Rsnt political sass rsst.
It was here. too. that the senators
asked Secretary Lansing his views
on the Monroe doctrine.
He insisted that 1t was not an as
sertion; OF "par.mountcy by the
lies, but . policy voluntarily an
nounced by US to prevent other pow
ers from interfering In the affairs
OF the other countries in this hemi-
sphere. Mr.. Lansing told Viscount
Iehii that the United States did NOT
claim paramount interest herself
in the western hemisphere, but
sought to prevent others from inter-
fering in the acknowledgment Of the
Central and South American coun-
tries. Senator FAN dissented from
this Interpretation.
Senator John Sharp williams got
into a historical colloquy with the
New Mexico senator and everybody
Joined in. Finally Chairman Lodge
had to rap for order, and Senator
Borah remarked with a smile that
there hadn't been any misunderstand.
ing about the Monroe doctrine up te
six months ago. Secretary Lansing
| couldn't help tossing in . little OBJ
servation that the senators Themselves
seemed to be At odds over what II
meant. Tho discussion was academic
| to be sure. but the revelation of Whai
Japan said to the United States ant
what Secretary Lansing said to thu
japanese mission Will prove an inter.
esting contribution to the relationt
| between the two countries, for Secre.
tary Lansings testimony becomes 4
matter Of public record. To that ex'
1 tent the Senate foreign relations com.
mittee has accomplished something
| constructive in the diplomacy involv'
Copyright. 1917
Ttalian Labor Bodv tn Meet Aup. IL