San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-04
open DOOR" AT LAST


Lansing-Ishii agreement, and not merely
because a its actual provisions or of the
Japanese Interpretation thereof which
produced an international controversy.
Perhaps more broadly important is the
fact that the mutual revocation of the
agreement rescues the United States
from a stultifying position.
For the understanding" to which the
former secretary Of state committed this
country was. in spirit, violation Of one
of the principles enunciated by Presi-
dent Wilson and accepted almost uni
versally by the governed, if not by ruling
classes, as a prerequisite to the mainte-
nance of friendly relations among nations
Negotiated in secret, the Lansing-lshii
agreement was surprise to the world,
particularly Chinese and Americans,
when its terms became known through
tardy publication.
The first announcement OF it came
from Toxic, or rather through the
Taranese capital. Literally, it was at
Pekin that the first word concerning it
was given out Japanese diplomatic of
ficials there apprised the Chinese of its
existence. The Chinese, unwilling to be-
lieve that their friend, America, had in
a sense bound them over to their tradi-
tional enemy, Japan, sought reputation
at Washington. Then Our State Depart
ment divulgcd the facts: The United
States government had indeed, been
committed to the theory that Japan had
special rights in China. OF course the
Japanese were not slow to make the
most of this concession from Amesica !;
they were quick to put upon it con-
struction which exaggerated the inten-
tons OF the American government.
Irrespective of whether the agreement
as understood and construed by Secretary
Lansing gave to Japan anything to
which she was not entitled, the question
relative TO the manner in which it was
made could not, and did not, escape sus-
picious scrutiny. 1t was signed on No
the United States entered the world war
and this country's President began to
prescribe moral requirements for peace
on earth. Did the Lansing-Ishii agree
ment measure up to the formula OF
open covenants openly arrived at?
At the time it was explained" that
this was merely an executive under
standing" But Japan tried to give it
the force of formal treaty, and doubt
less it would have had that force if the
Toxic government had not undertaken
to go to an extreme in interpreting it.
Should the executive branch of the
United States government be permitted
to make, on its own motion, any agree
ment with any foreign government which
would adversely affect a second foreign
country? If the United States is to do
anything of the kind, the Senate alone
has the authority to pursue such a
course.
1t is fortunate for the United States
and probably for Japan as well, that the
Lansing agreement, which did nc
little violence to Americas professed
aversion to dark diplomacy, has been
cancelled by mutual consent, and the
American diplomat who conducted this
country's part of the negotiations thus
happily ended merits the thanks Of all
who believe in above-board dealings be.
t,eeen nations. Perhaps, too, this achieve
ment of Charles B. Warren, the retiring
American ambassador to Japan, may be
accepted as a measure OF real business
mans worth in a governmental position
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