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FOREIGN OFFICE FILES FOR JAPAN AND THE FAR EAST
Series One: Embassy & Consular Archives - Japan (1905-1940)
(Public Record Office Class FO 262)
Part 3: Detailed Correspondence for 1924-1926
(PRO Class FO 262/1602-1672)
BRIEF CHRONOLOGY, 1924-1926
January 1924:
New Cabinet formed by Viscount Kiyoura with Baron Matsui as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Lt. General Ugaki as Minister of War. The proceedings in the Diet were stormy and the discussions short-lived. The Diet was dissolved after violent scenes in the Lower House on January 31. The Kiyoura Cabinet was increasingly unpopular.
April 1924:
Exclusion Bill passed by United States of America. Decision by Congress to prohibit oriental (including Japanese) immigration into the United States does little to foster good US-Japanese relations.
May 1924:
General Elections held on May 10 result in great victory for the opposition parties (Kenseikai, Seiyukai and Kakushin Club). Out of 464 members of the new Diet, 215 had never sat before.
June 1924:
Coalition Party Cabinet formed under Kato Takaaki. Shidehara becomes Minister for Foreign Affairs.
July 1924:
Death of Prince Matsukata leaves Prince Saionji as the only surviving “Genro” or Elder Statesman.
August 1924:
Civil War breaks out in the Chinese province of Kiang-su.
September 1924:
The Civil War in China spreads to Chih-li. The first meeting of the Fabian Society takes place in Japan.
October 1924:
General Feng Yu-hsiang takes Peking.
January 1925:
Secret arrangements made for General Tanaka to take over the leadership of the Seiyukai Party, replacing Takahashi. Russo-Japanese Treaty signed at Peking.
March 1925:
Major reconstruction of 13 wharves at Yokohama Harbour completed making good the damage caused by the Great Earthquake of 1923. Suffrage Bill passed. Diet also passes Bill for the Reform of the Upper House and Bill for the Preservation of Peace.
April 1925:
Takahashi announces his resignation as leader of the Seiyukai Party. He is replaced by General Tanaka. Korean Government resumes active control of Korean State Railways.
May 1925:
Riot and disturbances at the International Settlement in Shanghai herald further trouble for the British in China. Japanese troops withdrawn from Northern Saghalien.
July 1925:
Convention between Great Britain and Japan signed to supplement the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation of 1911. Start of Cantonese boycott of British trade following incidents in Shanghai in May.
September 1925:
Four day unofficial visit to Japan by HRH Prince George, an officer aboard HMS Hawkins.
October 1925:
China Tariff Conference opens in Peking. Long drawn-out discussions ensue. Further hostilities in various provinces in China as Civil War continues.
December 1925:
In Manchuria, Civil War threatens Japanese interests along the Railway Zone. Japan sends troop detachments to secure her interests. Chang Tso-lin victorious and he secures his position in Manchuria.
January 1926:
Lull in Civil War in China. Death of Japanese Prime Minister, Viscount Kato. Wakatsuki takes over as Prime Minister.
February 1926:
Sir C N E Eliot retires and is replaced by Sir John A C Tilley as British Ambassador in Tokyo.
July 1926:
Canton Government voices its opposition to the continuance of the China Tariff Conference. The conference is suspended. The confusing and troubled situation in China persists.
August 1926:
Military interference hinders steamships navigating the Yangtse River.
September 1926:
Further problems on the Yangtse River culminating in the Wanhsien Incident. In China, it is no longer the Japanese, but rather the British who bear the brunt of nationalist ill-will. The weak position of the Japanese Cabinet is exacerbated by the handling of the Bokuretsu Affair.
October 1926:
In China, the Cantonese Boycott of British Trade is lifted. Chiang Kai-shek begins “Northern Expedition” to eliminate individual warlord factions in China with the aim of uniting the country.
December 1926:
Death of the Emperor; end of the Taisho era. He is succeeded by his son, Hirohito.
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