ABSTRACT
DURING THE Fifteenth session of the Diet, many interpellations were addressed to the government concerning the Boxer Rebellion of 1900, and subsequent diplomatic measures taken regarding the Russian activities in Manchuria, but the government replies given were uniformly negative. The ministry declined to comment upon pending moves or upon activities of foreign governments or otherwise refused to state its policy, pleading that the subject matter belonged to “diplomatic secrets” and was “contrary to the public interest of the state.”1 The sole exception was the detailed report concerning it made by Foreign Minister Kato in the House of Representatives on February 9, 1901.2
The Russian activities in Manchuria following the Boxer Rebellion greatly stirred public apprehension in Japan.3 On March 12, 1901, the foreign minister requested cabinet deliberations upon Manchurian policy and transmitted a long memorandum to his colleagues outlining three alternatives. First, Japan might present a formal protest to the Russian government against the occupation of Manchuria, and should it be ignored, be prepared to resort to arms. Second, Japan might make
1 Teikoku Gikaishi, V, 496-501, 705, 721, 804, 543-545, 723-724, 986-991, 988-990, 1001-1007, 1033-1038, 1045. Cf. Kudo, Teikoku Gikaishi, II, 282-298, 343-347.
