The Termination of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance

Abstract

The treaty of alliance between Great Britain and Japan was officially brought to an end at the Washington Conference in 1921 by the conclusion of the Four Power Pacific Treaty. Since that date there have been periodic expressions of regret from British Conservatives over the passing of the agreement. Speaking in the House of Lords on July 20, 1936, Lord Newton condemned the abrogation of the treaty, which, in his opinion, would have enabled Great Britain to have exercised moderating influence upon Japan in recent years.1 Another British Conservative, Lord Rothermere, during a recent visit to Japan, publicly stated that he deplored the death of the alliance, since its continuation would have produced modifications in Japanese policy which would have been entirely beneficial to British interests in China. 2 Such statements