The Hoover Stimson Doctrine free essay sample

Analysis of the Historical Review: The Hoover Stemson Doctrine BY Pontifications Analysis of the Historical Review by Richard N. Current: The Hoover Stemson Doctrine Rick]. Goldberg American Diplomatic History II Professor Has Resubmission In the year 1931, Japanese movement in north eastern China became of great concern to the Hoover administration. The policy of non-recognition the U. S. Adopted regarding Japanese activity during the Manchuria Crisis would come to be known as the Hoover-Stemson Doctrine. The doctrine was named after the U. S. President and Secretary to State at the time, whose tortes to create an intensive yet stern policy to reinforce the Nine Power Treaty and the Kellogg-Brand (Pact of Paris) were the basis of the non-recognition policy, or the Hoover-Stemson Doctrine. The policy of non- recognition toward the actions committed by the Japanese army in China was one that both Hoover and Stemson supported. However, as illustrated in the historical review of the policy written by Richard Current, their conclusion to follow through with the said policy was reached on two differentiating perspectives. The Hoover-Stemson Doctrine At the outset of the Manchuria Crisis of 1931-1933, Secretary of State Henry L. Stemson had shown some concern, but not nearly as much as the League of Nations. Stemson did not wish to estrange Japan, nor did he approve of any conduct that would strengthen the Japanese military element. When Japanese expansion to Chinch occurred, the neutrality policy was then quickly replaced by an urgency to create a new and effective policy. However, the secretary chose to wait for action to be taken by the League and simply have their consultant in Geneva meet with the League to act as a representative of the United States. However, Stemson worked to create a distance between American diplomatic policies from that of the League and delay his endorsement of their policies to Japan, as well as discreetly applying any alterations to the policy to fit U. S. Concern. The precautions taken by Stemson were not far from any policy Hoover saw fit; both men were in agreement toward each others policy. Yet President Hoover was not as willing as Stemson to take it as far as Stemson himself seemed to favor. Eventually it became evident that Tokyo was no longer in total control of the Japanese military in China and the situation was in the hands of virtually mad dogs. [l] Under immense pressure, debate amongst the cabinet to participate with the League in economic sanctions against Japan had become the primary concern. The administration eventually reached the conclusion that they would not participate with the League, but would not stop them either. Stemson argued that an embargo meant war, and informed the ambassador to Britain the U. S. Would therefore, not take part in any sanctions. Hoover felt that the U. S. policy was now going very far, hill Stemson was still rather vigilant and willing to keep going. Stemson now began fluctuating on the idea of imposing brief sanctions and keeping on with his current hand. Eventually, President Hoover came up with the non-recognition policy. Stemson immediately brought this up to his staff who for the most part, concurred. Though delayed at first, Japanese movement upon Chinch hastened Stemson to act and write a note on January 7th of 1932 proclaiming non-recognition of Chinese hegemony in Manchuria. It was cleverly formatted to be as inoffensive as possible and there was no objection from any relative U. S. policy makers. Upon Japanese activities in Shanghai 13 days following the note, Stemson was prompted to endorse the U. S. Ana to reinforce the Asiatic squadron, particularly in Hawaii and the Philippines. Though this was initially met with some controversy, his start eventually supported it, and Hoover was rather enthusiastic toward it trot the start. Hovers purpose, which was in tutelage of American lives and property, was not that of Stemsons. Stemson, though indeed in concurrence with Hoover, did not wish to pose a threat to Japan but, simply to make a statement. However, Hoover ecocide to pacify Shanghai with mediation efforts involving England, France, and Italy and endorse a non-violent policy. Stemson was frustrated at this act, as Hoover had called his own secretary bluff. In seeking an alternative, Stemson issued a note to Senator Boras suggesting a reissue of the January 7th 1932 note Stemson sent to Japan reaffirming the same policy but, with more vigor and a new threat. This was to use the Nine Power Treaty (which endorsed the Open Door Policy in China) as a bargaining chip with the Washington conference treaties. If Japan continued to show belligerence toward Chinese integrity, the U. S. Would no longer abide by the naval restrictions constituted by the Washington conference treaties. President Hoover wished to propose an additional statement threatening a moral sanction on the Japanese in the note but, Stemson wished to keep Japan wondering in the dark. Though Hoover desired to proclaim to the public that the U. S. Had no intention of war, Stemson published the note without that addition, and he informed Hoover that such a statement would appear the two men were in disagreement. Though this letter (Boras letter) had no mention of imposing economic sanctions, Stemsons envisage of that such threats eventual use and the implementation of the Washington treaties as somewhat of a bargaining chip portrayed his willingness to compete in a naval race in the Pacific. In April, Hoover then sent Stemson to Europe to discuss the far eastern crisis in councils. It was then that Hoover, with the help of Undersecretary of State Castle, endeavored to claim the non-recognition policy as his own to be used as a boost in the presidential campaign. Hoover then wanted Stemson to proclaim said policy as the Hoover Doctrine; Stemson declined this request on the rounds that he had already issued the same such policy in the January 7th note and the Boras Letter. 111 Hoover also sought military disarmament. Stemson condemned such an act as detrimental to the necessity of keeping the U. S. Naval force intact in the Pacific to keep the Japanese at bay. However, Hoover, through speeches made by Castle, assured the public that the use of economic sanctions and/or military force was not going to take place, ignoring Stemsons pleas. Meanwhile Stemson was in Europe to rally the League of Nations behind the non-recognition policy. Hoover also oppressed the part of Stemsons speech that the secretary had written himself on the Kellogg-Brand as well as expressing a willingness to Join on imposing sanctions when he presented his draft. Thus the administration had presented a basis and support for the non-recognition policy. The speech was presented before the Council of Foreign Relations, finalizing the policy indefinitely. However, Stemson was in disapproval toward Hovers assurance of refraining from war to the public and suppression of the last three pages of his speech. The reporting of the Layton Commission of the League of Nations condemned Japan as using the army not in any form of self-defense, in violation of Kellogg- Brand, as well as including implications on China and the Soviet Union. Stemson was pleased Witt the Layton Report. However to his dismay yet again, the rest to the cabinet as well as the president were apathetic. It was argued that the notes of non- recognition and the Layton Report cannot coincide because the Layton Report suggested a new Chinese regime over the old one or a Japanese one. Stemson however did not concur. After Franklin D. Roosevelt victory in the 1932 presidential election, Stemson took it upon himself to undertake the task of acting on the two policies together. With Hovers skeptic approval, Stemson accepted an invitation from Roosevelt to meet on the subject of foreign affairs. He and Roosevelt were in complete agreement, and on the Manchuria Crisis, Roosevelt had limited knowledge of the subject and in turn had no quarrel supporting Stemson. Now at last Stemson was in a position to act without accordance from the suppressive administration and the League of Nations due to Roosevelt aid, Stemson successfully arranged through overall subsequent political endeavors to allow the adoption by the League and the U. S. The non-recognition policy and the Layton Report together. This led to Japaneses resignation from the League as they felt that the Layton Report along with the U. S. Non-recognition policy were both anti-Japanese. They also saw the League as powerless on the grounds that it had censured Japanese aggression, but never took effective action. A satisfactory alternative to economic and military pressure, the policy endorsed by the non-recognition policy or the Hoover-Stemson Doctrine, seems somewhat introductory in name. Hoover and Stemson, though sharing a common goal, had different intentions behind said goal.