West Across the Pacific: American Involvement in East Asia from 1 ...

Meanwhile, Old John Sherman had retired on April 27, 1898, with the Spanish-American War in full swing and the Philippine annexation coming next. Japan did not plan a protest this time. After issuing a proclamation of neutrality,⁸ she confined herself to inquiring “from considerations of propinquity and important commercial interests” what the intentions of the United States might be respecting “the final disposition of these (Philippine) possessions.”⁹ However, in September, as no clarification ensued, Foreign Minister Okuma felt impelled to offer some suggestions, which he advised his Washington representative to “present confidentially to the United States Government, whenever you deem it a suitable opportunity.” In his suggestions, he began by emphasizing that Spain would be “absolutely incapable” of retaining the Philippines, but then “neither would the establishment for those possessions of a purely native government independent of external guarantees and guidance furnish a satisfactory solution.” The Japanese imperial government, he averred, “are without territorial ambitions in the direction of the Philippines. But they are anxious for the observation of peace in the Orient and the maintenance of a just balance of power in the Far East. The extension of the sovereignty of the United States over those possessions would afford a complete solution of the question and would be entirely acceptable to Japan. But if the United States, while recognizing a certain degree of responsibility, should feel disinclined to undertake alone, whether directly or through the medium of a protectorate, the administration of those islands, the Imperial Government…would be willing to join with the United States either singly or in conjunction with another Power having identical interests, in the endeavor to form, subject to proper conditions, a suitable government for the territory under the joint or tripartite protection of guaranteeing Powers.”¹⁰

However, a really suitable opportunity for the presentation of these suggestions did not occur, with the result that they were in effect tabled, while annexation by purchase of the Philippines was accomplished.¹¹