Introductory Note By JEREMIAH W. JENKS, Ph.D., LL. D. T HE publication of a book on the Oriental policy of the United States is peculiarly timely. In connection with the discussion and approval of the Treaty of Peace with Germany, and in connection with the much discussed League of Nations, it is essential that the government of the United States now determine its Oriental policy. It seems probable that the former policy of the territorial integrity of China and the Open Door, with fair dealing and justice, should be stated anew with a more vigorous determination to give it positive effect. If the policy is to be modified, the change should be made promptly and the world should know it. It is fortunate that this book is written by a citizen of the Far East, a Korean. The people of the United States need to see clearly the view-point of the Orientals. There is little difficulty in getting the view-point of the Japanese. In fact, it is impossible for any reader of the public press to avoid getting the Japanese Government's view-point. It is much more difficult to know what the Chinese are thinking because of the great variety of opinions published in the press. Even the policy of the government of China is varying and undetermined, although the sentiments of the Chinese people now seem to be crystallizing. On the other hand, it has been almost impossible, owing to the Japanese censorship, to get an authoritative judgment or statement regarding Korean opinion. This book is admirably written, and although I should not find it possible to agree in all particulars with the policies advocated and the views expressed, I believe it of very great importance to the American people that this view be known and understood in America. The book, aside from expressions of opinions, contains very valuable information. Public men in the United States will find the documents published in the appendices of decided interest. They have not been heretofore readily accessible, but they are important. It is especially desirable at this moment to be informed as fully as possible regarding the relations of Korea and Japan at the time when the Japanese Government is asking to have its influence over scores of millions of the people in China extended and strengthened. The whole civilization of the Orient, as well as the relations commercial, political and social, between the Orient and the West are swinging in the balance. The public opinion of America and of Europe are determining factors. Everything that can throw real light upon the situation is valuable. This book contains much of importance. It should be widely read. J. W. J. Τ' T Preface HE world's greatest war has come to an end, and, in so far as we are able to judge, autocracy and militarism have been driven from Europe once for all. Now the all-important question is: “Is this the last war, or has the Peace Conference failed to solve the problem, thereby sowing seeds for another world war-perhaps more horrible than the one just concluded?" Political cynics all over the world are already beginning to criticize the work of the Peace Conference as being no better than that of the Congress of Vienna; they assert that all the statesmen of the leading Powers went to the Peace Conference with the intention of getting out of it as much of material gain for their respective countries as they could, and that they have obtained as much as they had expected although not as much as they wanted; that the "Fourteen Points" were made a political revolving door to admit whatever the Powers wanted to have included, and to exclude nearly everything that did not serve their purposes of nationalistic gain; and that "self-determination" of weaker nations turned out to be selfish Map showing, with those of other Powers, the American possessions in the Pacific. The United States has the longest coast-line of any nation on the Pacific; for its protection the American Navy in these waters should be second to none. Islands formerly under German control, held by the Japanese and British during the war, have been assigned, according to the terms of the Peace Treaty, to the mandatory of the Allied nations as follows: "The German Samoan Island-The mandate shall be held by New Zealand. The other German Pacific posessions south of the Equator, excluding the German Samoan Island and Nauru-the mandate shall be held by Australia. Nauru (Pleasant Island)-the mandate shall be given to the British Empire. The German Pacific Islands north of the Equator-the mandate shall be held by Japan." The German Colonies in the Pacific Ocean north of the Aquason are the Lendrone, Caroline Murahall. and Pelow Inlande. |