Anglo-Japanese Alliance
The first was signed in London on
January 30 1902 by
Lord Lansdowne (British
foreign secretary) and
Hayashi Tadasu (Japanese minister in London). The alliance was renewed and extended in scope twice, in
1905 and
1911 before its demise in
1921. It officially terminated on
August 17,
1923.
Briefly, the benefit of the alliance to Britain was the establishment of an ally in
East Asia who could help contain Russia and protect British commercial interests in China. It helped Britain's navy by providing coaling stations and repair facilities.For Japan, it was a necessary step in achieving further recognition as a Power (if not a
Great Power) and gave her the confidence to challenge Russia's occupation of
Manchuria and designs on
Korea. The
Russo-Japanese War (1904-05) broke out two years later in February 1904.
In response to this alliance, Russia chose to form an alliance with France and Germany, of which Germany declined. On March 16, a mutual pact was signed between France and Russia.
The alliance was renewed and strengthened in 1905 and 1911. The treaty's provisions for mutual defence prompted Japan to enter
World War I on the British side. The treaty expired in
1921, much to the regret of Sir
Charles Eliot, and the pleasure of the United States and China.
* Ian H. Nish,
The Anglo-Japanese Alliance: The diplomacy of two island empires 1894-1907, The Athlone Press, London and Dover NH, first published 1966.
* George Alexander Lensen,
Korea and Manchuria between Russia and Japan 1895-1904: The Observations of Sir Ernest Satow (Sophia University, Tokyo and Diplomatic Press, Tallahassee, Florida, first published 1966)
*
Anglo-Japanese Treaty of Commerce and Navigation*
Anglo-Japanese relations*
Anglo-Japanese Alliance -
London School of Economics STICERD Discussion paper (2002)
*
Studies in the Anglo-Japanese Alliance (1902-23) - LSE STICERD Discussion paper (2003)
