ABSTRACT

SINCE it was only in the last few days before the outbreak of war that the people of Europe realised the seriousness of the situation, it is not surprising that in Japan the coming and the nature of the struggle were even less apparent. Nevertheless, by the end of July 1914 developments on the other side of the world, perhaps for the first time in Japan’s history, eclipsed more local interests. The question what Japan would do was an engrossing one, and it was known that its answer lay in the hands of the Elder Statesmen, among whom the deciding voice was that of Prince Yamagata. The Foreign Minister of the time was Viscount Kato (then Baron), who had been Ambassador in England and was friendly towards that country. The AngloJapanese Alliance made it extremely unlikely that Japan would take sides with Germany, though Italy’s repudiation of the obligations of the Triple Alliance and her subsequent entry into the conflict against her allies were hailed in England and France as proofs of the highest nobility. But the Alliance only required Japan’s armed assistance when British interests in India and Eastern Asia were threatened, so it was not to be expected that Japan should enter the conflict except in the circumstances indicated. On August 5th, after an extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet, a statement was published expressing the Government’s hope that the trouble among the Powers would soon pass away and peace be restored. “Should the war unfortunately continue, the Government hopes at least that it

will be localised within its present area. The Government trusts that Japan may be enabled to observe the strictest neutrality. The Government’s most careful attention to its obligations is necessary, however. Should Great Britain be involved, Japan may have to take such steps as are necessary to comply with the terms of the Anglo-Japanese Treaty of Alliance, but it has hopes that the contingencies calling for these steps will not arise.”