Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1922, Volume I

500.A4a/162

Memorandum, in Outline Form, by the Secretary of State of a Conversation with Mr. Balfour, of the British Delegation, November 11, 1921

November 11, 1921

1. Balfour describes state of sentiment as to Anglo-Japanese Alliance²—

a. American sentiment

disadvantage—con.

b. Japanese sense of dignity—

Control of Japanese action—

Sense of security of Dominions

pro

2. Balfour says he must see Japanese delegates. Must have policy.

If Alliance not to be continued, what is substitute? Tripartite agreement?

3. Balfour says he has sketched two memoranda of agreements³—

Not under instructions of British Government—wholly personal

C. E. H. sketches situation

1. State of American sentiment—

2. Importance of cooperation—

3. No hostility to Japan—friendship

4. No opposition to natural and legitimate economic opportunities for Japan.

5. Progress to settlement Shantung⁴—can be settled

Misapprehension as to Japan’s need of expansion—

Balfour agrees

Economic opportunity vs. political control

Balfour agrees

R. R. situation in Manchuria

Balfour says established—

Hughes draws distinction between Railroad as artery of Commerce and political agency

Discrimination

Balfour says British merchants cannot give instances but results show it exists

Special Interests—Lansing-Ishii Agreement^4a

Hughes defines

Balfour agrees

Secret Treaties—Balfour says not known to Great Britain

Balfour agrees no overlordship—no protectorate

Says willing to leave out “special interests.”

Question of Administrative Integrity. Customs

Balfour directed attention to his drafts

Hughes requested opportunity to consider—

Balfour agrees

Hughes noted preliminarily in general

1. Avoid description as treaty

Balfour changed to arrangement—

Might or might not be treaty

2. Definitive statement preferred—

Root-Takahira agreement⁵

“Coin to be re-issued”—

Agree on applications

Substitute for all prior statements and agreements relating to matters in view.

a. Anglo-Japanese Alliance

b. Root-Takahira Agreement

c. Lansing-Ishii Agreement

Spheres of Influence

Interests defined

2. For correspondence concerning U. S. interest in renewal of alliance, see Foreign Relations, 1921, vol. ii, pp. 313 ff.
3. For the first, see memorandum infra; for the second, see p. 271.
4. See pp. 934 ff.
5. Foreign Relations, 1917, p. 264; for cancelation of agreement, see vol. ii, pp. 591 ff.
5. Ibid., 1908, p. 510.