越境する海軍と二〇世紀初頭の帝国秩序

―ドイツ海軍から見た東アジアの共存体制―

抄録

In considering the world order at the start of the 20th century, we will look at an overview of the situation based on a framework of “spheres of influence” and “entente-alliance”. Particularly in the Asia-Pacific region of that time, a scramble for colonial territory and interests unfolded among the great powers, and a movement toward alliances of diplomatic expediency among the powers developed at a bewildering pace. But is it possible to perceive all the way to the structural foundations of this world order built by the great powers, instead of seeing only the diplomatic relations visible on the surface? In employing the framework of “spheres of influence” and “entente-alliance”, are we not looking at imperialism only from the outer surface of competitive national relations?

To reconsider this traditional view, this paper will focus on aspects of integration between power actors among empires, extending beyond national demarcation lines, to elucidate the conditions of the resulting order of coexistence. For this purpose, we will focus here on naval transboundary activities. In particular, this paper will look mainly at the subject of naval forces stationed by Germany and Austria-Hungary, as a contrast with the traditional view of East Asian history along the perspective of the Entente Powers centered on Japan and Great Britain.

The goal of this paper is to reconsider the existing conceptual frame through such naval movements that crossed the boundaries between empires on a daily basis, from the following three perspectives: First, it will relativize the traditional view of imperialism that has concentrated on the individual movements of the great powers grounded in their national bases—that is, the historical view centered on leaseholds and “spheres of influence”. This paper will elucidate the existence of a network of free ports as the infrastructure for such free activities of naval craft across imperial boundaries. Second, it will reconsider the meaning of the scheme of international relations divided into “Triple Alliance” and “Quadruple entente” with regard to formation of the order in East Asia, relativizing the existing view of history that is based on the Entente Powers. It was apparent from naval movements that during times of peace power actors interacted and formed the foundations of a structure for harmonious coexistence crossing over the differences between “entente-alliance”. Third, this paper will attempt to relativize the Western-centric view of history apparent in the history of imperialism and naval history by incorporating the movements of the Chinese navy, which played a main role on the side of the oppressed in the naval relations of East Asia. This paper addresses the fact that while Germany did seize Kiautschou Bay from China as a leasehold, in fact this port “was used” by the Chinese navy in the process of modernization.

This paper’s discussion of these topics will elucidate the structure of the transborder order of imperial coexistence that developed at the time in East Asia.