Great Britain, Japan and the Yangtze, 1913–14 January 1913—August 1914

Abstract

Britishh economic interests in China were largely centred in the great Yangtze valley, involving the provinces of Kiangsi, Hupei, Anhwei and Kiangsu (see map 1). This vast region had been opened up by British traders from the middle of the nineteenth century onwards and British trade was still dominant in 1913. The challenge of foreign traders increased rapidly in the 1890s, German traders being especially formidable. The doctrine of the ‘open door’, agreed upon in 1899 and 1900 largely at American instigation, stated that throughout China traders of all nations might compete on equal terms. In reality the door was only half open, for it was tacitly understood that each of the great powers except the United States had its own sphere of interest which the other powers were expected to respect. It involved refraining from active intervention in the sphere of another power. Thus Great Britain was understood to dominate the Yangtze valley and eastern Kwangtung, the province in which Hong Kong was situated; France to dominate Yunnan, Kwangsi and western Kwangtung; Germany to dominate Shantung, Russia to dominate Sinkiang, Outer Mongolia and north Manchuria; and Japan to dominate Fukien (opposite Formosa) and south Manchuria.

The Japanese are endeavouring to exploit the Alliance by methods which are not likely to be to our advantage.

sir arthur nicolson

I entirely agree.

sir edward grey. Foreign Office minutes, January, 1914