From Donald Keen’s Emperor of Japan: Meiji and His World, 1852-1912:
President Ulysses S. Grant was the first former president to visit Japan, which he did in 1879. He met with the Meiji Emperor and advised him on a number of matters and was also asked to arbitrate a dispute. The Meiji government had just annexed the Ryukyu Islands [Okinawa], to which China strongly objected. Grant decided that Japan’s claim to the islands was stronger and ruled in Japan’s favor, but also urged Japan and China to withdraw their harsh words about each other.
I can’t help but think that little has changed…
- BROWSE / IN TIMELINE
- « Russia’s Arctic Claim
- » Fanning the Embers: China and Instability in Oceania
COMMENTS / 2 COMMENTS
Lexington Green added these pithy words on 23 Jul 07 at 12:03 amHow good is the Keen book? (5 best books on Japan in your opinion?)
Grant was a great and under-rated man. Did his intervention do any good?
Aceface added these pithy words on 24 Jul 07 at 12:08 amI remeber way back in the early 90’s when Keene was interviewed by a Japanese about Japan’s role in the post cold war era.
Japanese said”We want to be the bridge between America and China”.
“Now that is a tough role you are about to play” said Keene.”They are shaking hands with their feet stepping on your back bone!”.
SPEAK / ADD YOUR COMMENT
Comments are moderated.
