ia, and France will not only affect Europe but that we can even
foresee that it will also affect China.

Whether this combined action on the part of England, France and
Russia is to terminate at the end of the war or to continue to
operate, we can not now predict. But after peace in Europe is
restored, these Powers will certainly turn their attention to the
expansion of their several spheres of interest in China, and, in the
adjustment, their interests will most likely conflict with one
another. If their interests do not conflict, they will work jointly
to solve the Chinese Question. On this point we have not the least
doubt. If England, France and Russia are actually to combine for the
coercion of China, what course is to be adopted by the Imperial
Japanese Government to meet the situation? What proper means shall
we employ to maintain our influence and extend our interests within
this ring of rivalry and competition? It is necessary that we bear
in mind the final results of the European War and forestall the
trend of events succeeding it so as to be able to decide upon a
policy towards China and determine the action to be ultimately
taken. If we remain passive, the Imperial Japanese Government's
policy towards China will lose that subjective influence and our
diplomacy will be checked for ever by the combined force of the
other Powers. The peace of the Far East will be thus endangered and
even the existence of the Japanese Empire as a nation will no doubt
be imperilled. It is therefore our first important duty at this
moment to enquire of our Government what course is to be adopted to
face that general situation after the war? What preparations are
being made to meet the combined pressure of the Allies upon China?
What policy has been followed to solve the Chinese Question? When
the European War is terminated and peace restored we are not
concerned so much with the question whether it be the Dual
Monarchies or the Triple Entente which emerge victorious but
whether, in anticipation of the future expansion of European
influence in the Continents of Europe and Asia, the Imperial
Japanese Government should or should not hesitate to employ force to
check the movement before this occurrence. Now is the most opportune
moment for Japan to quickly solve the Chinese Question. Such an
op