Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
DIVISION OF INTERCOURSE AND EDUCATION
Publication No. 15

THE IMPERIAL JAPANESE MISSION

1917

A Record of the Reception Throughout the United States
of the Special Mission Headed by Viscount Ishii

TOGETHER WITH THE EXCHANGE OF NOTES EMBODYING

The Root-Takahira Understanding of 1908

AND

The Lansing-Ishii Agreement of 1917

Foreword by Elihu Root

WASHINGTON, D. C.
1918

.

FOREWORD

Both Japan and America owe a real debt to Viscount Ishii and his associates for the way in which they discharged the duty of their recent Mission to America. Only a full and just comprehension of American character and points of view enabled this distinguished Japanese statesman to deliver his message of friendship acceptably to varied audiences in many cities, and, passing beyond the formal expressions of international courtesy, to say many serious things of substance and moment regarding the delicate and sometimes difficult relations between the two countries without sounding a false note or ever jarring the sensibilities of his hearers. After this no one can maintain that the differences between the East and the West in character and in ways of thinking and feeling need prevent an Eastern and a Western nation from understanding each other well enough to establish a sincere and helpful friendship upon the basis of mutual appreciation and confidence. There have been misunderstandings between the people of Japan and the people of the United States. The people of each country have had vague and mistaken impressions about the purposes and motives of the other country. Many things have been said and printed, and some things have been done under the influence of these misunderstandings and tending to increase them. This does not apply to the two governments. Nothing could be more frank and considerate and friendly than the relations between them. They have not misunderstood each other because they have had the means and the wish to inform themselves, and they have understood and trusted each other.

But in these times peoples and not governments determine what international relations shall be, and among the effects of the Great War already manifest is a continually strengthening tendency towards the increase of this popular control of international affairs. The world will be vastly the gainer by the change from the old methods of diplomacy, but the change brings its own dangers. The central vice of the old system of diplomacy in camera has been the control of secret selfish policies of aggrandizement in which the interests of the popular mass play little or no part. The danger of popular diplomacy rests in popular misunderstanding of national rights and duties, and the suspicions and resentment and violent impulses resulting from popular misunderstanding. Trained diplomats usually understand the merits of the controversies in which they are involved, because it is their business to inform themselves; but there are serious difficulties in the way of such an understanding by the whole people of any country. The great body of the people seldom take an interest in any foreign question until there is some excitement about it. Before the excitement it is hard for those who know the facts and the law to get a hearing, and after the excitement has come it is apt to be too late. It is very difficult for the public to test the correctness of statements about the facts and the legal rights on which international controversies depend, and they are accordingly liable to be misled by misrepresentation, sometimes by mistaken ignorance and sometimes with a malicious purpose. Such a purpose acquiring control of a few newspapers may do infinite harm in the relations between two countries which have no real reason whatever for any feeling towards each other but confidence and friendship. Sometimes the misleading motive is in a demagogue who seeks office or fortune through public assaults upon foreigners, and sometimes it is in the policy of nations who wish to enhance their own power by promoting discord among others.

Among the maxims which Frederick the Great left for the guidance of his successors are these:

If possible, the powers of Europe should be made envious against one another, in order to give occasion for a coup when the opportunity arises.

I understand by the word Policy that one must make it his study to deceive others. That is the way to get the better of them.

Form alliances only in order to sow animosity.

It is apparent that the policy thus expressed and always followed by the reigning house of Prussia has been applied to mislead the peoples of Japan and the United States and to make trouble between the two countries.

In a situation which involved such elements of difficulty Viscount Ishii has applied the force of high intelligence at precisely the right point. The novelty of his undertaking attracted popular attention. The frankness and charm of his expression awakened kindly interest, and the authentic character of his statements carried conviction. The speeches he made and the responses they elicited have been of the highest value to both countries. Taken as a whole, they constitute a great event in international history, and their influence will be long continued. To contribute towards that end by preserving the speeches and responses in permanent and accessible form this volume is printed.

ELIHU ROOT.
February 8, 1918.


For the collection of material and for the editing of the present volume the Division of Intercourse and Education is under heavy obligation to Mr. T. lyenaga, Director of the East and West News Bureau, and Mr. Joseph 1. C. Clarke of New York, which obligation is gratefully acknowledged.

.

CONTENTS

FW

FOREWORD By ELIHU ROOT
 I.  THE IMPERIAL JAPANESE MISSION

01

Formation and Personnel
II. A HALT AT HONOLULU

02

Welcome by Governor Pinkham

03

Viscount Ishii's Reply
III. ON THE PACIFIC COAST

04

At the City Hall

05

Secretary Lansing's Telegram

06

Citizens' Committee Luncheon

07

Municipal Banquet

08

Viscount Ishii's Dinner
IV. AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL

09

Welcome to Washington by Secretary Lansing

10

Viscount Ishii to the Press

11

At the White House

12

A Visit to Annapolis

13

At Washington's Tomb

14

Viscount Ishii on his Mission

15

Reception by the Secretary of State and Mrs. Lansing

16

At the Navy Yard

17

Before the United States Senate

18

Before the House of Representatives.

19

Dinner at Graystone
V. PHILADELPHIA'S WELCOME

20

Ambassador Morris's Welcome

21

Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

22

Symposium of the American Academy of Political and Social Science
VI. AT COMMODORE PERRY'S GRAVE, NEWPORT, R. I .

23

Tribute to the American who Opened Japan 64 Years ago

24

Reception and Address at the Casino
VII. HONORED GUESTS OF BOSTON

25

At the State House

26

Municipal Dinner

27

Harvard University

28

Boston City Club Luncheon

29

Motor Trip over Historic Ground
VIII. GERMAN PROPAGANDA IN THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN

30

Viscount Ishii's Address to the National Press Club

31

Progress of the Diplomatic Conversations
IX. NEW YORK---I

32

Mayor Mitchel's Proclamation

33

Parade and Reception at the City Hall

34

Up Fifth Avenue---The 69th Regiment

35

Sightseeing

36

Chamber of Commerce Reception and Luncheon

37

At the Tomb of General Grant

38

Dinner Given by Mayor Mitchel and Executive Committee

39

Japan Society's Reception

40

A Trip to West Point
X. NEW YORK---II

41

Municipal Banquet

42

Address of Former President Taft

43

The Open Door

44

A Day with Japanese Compatriots

45

Dinner Given by Japanese

46

Luncheon at the Bankers' Club

47

Oswald Garrison Villard's Dinner

48

A Visit to Theodore Roosevelt
XI. HOMEWARD BOUND

49

A Message of Gratitude from the Coast

50

A Word of Reassurance from Hawaii
XII. VISCOUNT ISHII'S TRIBUTE TO AMERICA

51

The Emperor's Message of Thanks to President Wilson
APPENDICES
A. The Root-Takahira Exchange of Notes, 1908
B. The Lansing-Ishii Exchange of Notes, 1917
   
 Photo  Viscount Kikujiro Ishii


I. The Imperial Japanese Mission