Book Reviews: Japan in World History. By G. B. SANSOM. (New York: Institute of Pacific Relations. 1951. Pp. 94. $2.00.)

Published date01 December 1952
DOI10.1177/106591295200500438
Date01 December 1952
Subject MatterArticles
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developed during the nineteenth century. The author has not attempted
a full study of extraterritoriality, its relation to the treaty-port system, and
its raisin d’etre in terms of the Chinese social as well as legal order, but
has shown admirable self-restraint in keeping within the limits which
the title indicates he set for himself.
Within those limits, he makes a detailed examination of the Wash-
ington Conference, and of the diplomatic exchanges in connection with
the establishment and work of the Commission on extraterritoriality finally
constituted in accordance with the Washington Conference agreement.
In similar detailed fashion he traces the steps taken toward revision as
the Kuomintang assumed an influential position in China during 1926-28,
and in the years of its ascendancy from 1928 until the final abolition
of the system with the conclusion of the treaties of January 11, 1943. In
the last chapter, &dquo;In Retrospect,&dquo; the author presents his conclusion con-
cerning the reason for the abolition of extraterritoriality in China: &dquo;In
the last analysis, however, the compelling consideration throughout the
period of the decline of extraterritoriality was not international idealism,
but national self-interest.&dquo; This view is certainly sustained by the evidence
presented in this study, the detailed and careful nature of which is
indicated in the notes, collected at the end of the volume and printed
in forty-four pages of small type. The value of the book to the student
is further enhanced by the inclusion, as appendices, of relevant documents
and a selected bibliography.
HAROLD M. VINACKE.
University of Cincinnati.
Japan in World History. By G. B. SANSOM. (New York: Institute of
Pacific Relations. 1951. Pp. 94. $2.00.)
This thin volume is one that can be read in a few hours, but should
be pondered at length. It is based on a series of lectures delivered in
Tokyo in December, 1950, by the author, Sir George Sansom, long
recognized as the foremost...

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