The aim of this thesis is to examine the historical relationship between the Anglo-Japanese Alliance and the Russo-Japanese War, by shedding light on some problems concerning the first military arrangements concluded between Japan and Britain in July 1902.
In that year, these conferences between the naval and military representatives of Japan and Britain were held to discuss cooperation in time of peace and joint action in the event of war. These conferences were held in Yokosuka (May), London (July, two arrangements were signed), and Tokyo (November). On the basis of the General Staff papers, compiled during these meetings, which are called “The Miyazaki Papers”, I should like to examine these negotiations between the two Powers, and try to clarify my theme by examining two or three points in detail.
During these negotiations, not only was an outline of cooperation in time of peace and joint action in the event of war given a concrete form, but the strategic functions of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance were also clarified. The object of Admiral Yamamoto, the Navy Minister, who played an active part in the negotiations, was to strengthen the strategic position of Japan by cooperating with Britain, rather than to attempt a war against Russia.
I think that it is alo a matter of the greatest importance to study the attitude of the Japanese army towards the Alliance. Especially, the attitude of Major T. Utsunomiya, the Japanese military attaché in Britain and Major General Y. Fukushima, who represented Japan at the London Conference. Their active speech and bejavior, which had a far-reaching influence on the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War, may have also influenced a positive attitude on the part of officers of medium standing in the Japanese army just prior to the 2nd World War.
It has been shown that as a result of these arrangements, that the armies of both Powers could not take part in a joint action in the Far East. This made the Japanese military leaders realize the limitations of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance as a military alliance. Consequently, it may be hard to state from these aspects of the military arrangements, that the Japanese military leaders took the Anglo-Japanese Alliance for a means by which to drive their government into the war against Russia.
抄録全体を表示