松岡洋右の国連演説　原文

https://archive.org/stream/japanscaseinsino00leag/japanscaseinsino00leag_djvu.txt

Full text of "Japan's case in the Sino-Japanese dispute as presented before the Special session of the Assembly of the League of Nations."

About to leave Geneva I cannot repress my deep emotion;

I can hardly find words to express my thoughts. I left Tokyo with the determination to take any amount of pains to explain Japan’s case and enable the people of Europe to understand our difficulties and our position. I was determined to prevent a clash between the League and Japan, to make it possible for Japan to stay in the League and to continue her cooperation in the interest of world peace. When I arrived in Geneva I dared permit myself to entertain some hope.

Three months afterwards, I am leaving Geneva with that hope shattered, with mixed feelings of sadness and resignation. I am sad not for Japan but for the League for taking such precipitate action. Time will show that it hurts the League more than Japan. I am sad most for China, for such action by the League not only will not solve anything but will add another element of confusion in the conditions of China, already bad enough as they are. It will only lay one more obstacle in the way of Japan’s arduous fight against chaos.

The only good I can think can come out of all this will be incidentally to help further to unite the Japanese people, making

them better realise the magnitude and the difficulties of Japan’s task, and increase their determination to risk all to achieve their

end — that is to recover and maintain peace and order throughout the region of Eastern Asia. If the League’s action were only to produce that effect, Japan may even find cause, after all, to thank the League. In any case let us hope this action of the League will not widen the gap that separates East from West; however, none but God knows what the future holds in store for us all.

I hardly need to say there is no place in my soul for resentment or misgiving. I am sad it is true, but not disappointed;

I am still hoping that some day Japan will be understood. I am leaving Geneva with the prayer that the Members of the League

may be enabled to see the light and with ardent wishes for the success of the League. One consolation I have was the abstention of the Siamese Representative from voting yesterday. He represents the only Asiatic nation, besides Japan and Manchoukuo, which has a real national integrity and responsibility, with the will and ability to govern.

On leaving Geneva I wish again heartily to thank the Members of the League for the labour so ungrudgingly given for the past seventeen months in their earnest attempt to find a solution for the most complicated problem that the League has faced in the thirteen years of its existence. I wish also to express my thanks for the many courtesies shown me and the Japanese Delegation by the city of Geneva and the Genevese.

Matsuoka Foreign Policy Speech 1941