The sun., 1919-08-12

fled with the lansing -Ishii agreement
Lanslng-There was something Of
that sort, yes, In regard to the Lansing
lshii agreement. 1 suggested to Wis
count Ishii that It would be well for the
two governments to reaffirm the open
door policy on the ground that reports
we're being spread as to the purpose Of
Japan to take advantage of the situation
created by the war to extend her in
fuence over China--polltical influence.
Ishii replied to me that he would like to
consider that matter, but. that of course
ho felt that Japan had a special interest
In China and that that should be mem
toned In any agreement that we had I;
and replied to him, that we Of course,
recognized that Japan on account Of her
geographical position had n peculiar In
terest In China, but that II was not
political In nature and that the danger
OF statement OF special interest was
that It might be 30 construed and there
fore / objected to making such a state
ment.
At another interview we discussed the
phrase special interest" which the Jap
anese Government had been very insis-
tent upon and which, with the explana-
ton l have made. was not very strong
ly opposed to, thinking that the reaffir-
nation OF the open door policy was the
most essential thing that we could have
at this time; and we discussed the
phrase which appeared in the draft note
special interest" and / told him then
that II 1t meant paramount interest"
could not discuss 1t further: but IL he
meant special interest based upon geo.
graphical position 1 would consider the
insertion of 1t in the note. Then 1t was
during that same interview that we
mentioned paramount interest" and ne
made a reference to the Monroe Doc
trine, or rather a suggestion that there
should be a Monroe Doctrine for the Far
East told him there seemed to be a
misconception as to the underlying prin-
ciple OF the Monroe Doctrine: that II
was not an assertion of primary or para
mount interest by the United States in
its relations to other American repub-
lies; that Its purpose was to prevent
foreign Powers from interfering with
the separate rights Of any nation in
this hemisphere. and that the whole
aim was to preserve to each republic the
power of acknowledgment. 1 said fur
ther that 30 far as aiding In this de-
velopment the United States claimed no
special privileges over other countries.
Secretary Lansing. continuing, said
that this discussion with Count Ishii
had been altogether oral, but that he
had dictated concise memoranda at
its conclusion as a matter of record. He
then continued:
Il told viscount Ishii. that felt that
| the same principle should be applied to
China and that no special privileges, and
certainly no paramount interest, In that
country should be claimed by any for
eign Power. While the phrasing of the
| notes to be exchanged was further con-
| sidered, the meaning of special inter-
est" was not again discussed"
There followed disquisitions on the
Monroe Doctrine itself. Mr.. Lansing
had referred to 1t as a national policy
| when Senator New demanded you
say II was announced as a national
policy"
Lansing-Yes
| New-Not as a regional understand
ing?"
Lansing-It had that effect, very de-
cidedly.
New-But It was a national policy
announced by this country for itself and
by itself.
Lanslng-Yes, II was a selfish doctrine
Pan-Americanism is an unselfsh doc
trine.
| shuts on Monroe Doctrine Talk.
| Senator williams (Miss) rallied tc
the Secretary's aid and defended the
| tacit admission that the Monroe Doc.
| trine was In danger Of being superseded
The discussion wandered far from the
Lansing-Ishii agreement until Chairman
Lodge remarked: II will say to the
committee that think the discussion
Of the Monroe Doctrine Is hardly neces'
sary at this point"
| Borah--Mr. Secretary, / do not de.
sire to ask anything about the Monroe
Doctrine. We all understood what II
was up to six months ago.
Lansing-I congratulate the Senator
because there seems to be a wide diff
ference of opinion as to what II means
He may be the only man who knows
There have been no misunderstood
ings until lately" snapped Borah. ant
the incident ended.
Chinas declaration of position Off
cially uttered subsequently to the Ian
sing-Ishii agreement was next reat
into the record by Senator Borah
THE Government OF the United State
and the Government of Japan have re
Gently in order to silence mischievous re
ports effected an exchange OF notes a
Washington concerning their desires an
intentions with regard to China. Copie
of the said notes have been communi
Gated to the Chinese Government by tn
Chinese Minister at Pekin; and tn
Chinese Government, in order to avoi'
Misunderstanding, hastens to make tn
following declaration SO as to max
known the views OF the Government:
THE principle adopted by the Chimes
Government toward the friendly nation
has always been one of justice an
equality, and consequently the right
enjoyed by the friendly nations derive
from the treaties have been consistentl
respected and SO even with the specia
relations between countries created b
the fact of territorial condguity 1t
only IN SO far as they have alread
been provided for In her existing treaties
Hereafter the Chinese Government wi
, still adhere to the principles hithert
adopted. and hereby II Is again declare
=. that the Chinese Government will nc
allow herself to be bound by any agree
ment entered into by other nations"
THAT last sentence undoubtedly ha
reference to the Ishii agreement" sal
Senator Borah.
Agrees with Views Of China.
. Senator Pomerene suggested that tn
: Chinese declaration, which suggested
: its phrasing a protest. was a most mai
ural utterance for China to make In th
: circumstances.
THE declaration was in entire accor
with the American Interpretation OF tn
Lansing-Ishii agreementT asked Sens
tor Hitchcock.
Entirely sir" replied Lansing.
Johnson-Was there a policy outline
for the American commissioners cor
, cerning secret treaties at all?
, Lansing-We did not consider oul
4 l hxy