デジタル版『渋沢栄一伝記資料』

大正9年9月（1920年）

是月栄一、前アメリカ合衆国大統領故セオドル・ルーズヴェルトノ著「世界大戦争に於ける日本の態度」ヲ、小畑久五郎ニ依嘱シテ翻訳セシメ「ルーズヴェルト氏の日本観」ト題シ、原文ト併セテ刊行シ、知人ニ頒布ス。

渋沢栄一　日記　大正九年　　　　　　　　　　　（渋沢子爵家所蔵）
二月十七日　晴寒
○上略　午後一時事務所ヲ出テ帝国ホテルニ抵リ、田中太郎氏ニ会見シテ故ルーズベルト氏遺書刊行ノ事ニ付種々ノ談話ヲ為ス○下略

ルーズヴェルト氏の日本観　渋沢栄一編訳　第一一―一九頁大正九年九月刊
　　序言
此意見書は前米国大統領故セオドル・ルーズヴェルト氏が、昨千九百十九年一月の長逝に先だつ五六ケ月前の手稿であつて、歿後同年十一月三十日発行の紐育タイムス紙日曜号を始め、同国内の諸新聞紙によつて天下に発表せられたものである。此意見書は題して「世界大戦争に於ける日本の態度」と云ひ、最近の世界大戦に際し、日本が聯合側の一国として、如何に正義人道を重んじて勇敢義侠の行動を為したるかを称讚し、斯かる貴むべき国民に対しては、深甚なる敬意を払ふべき所以を縷述したものである。此原書は、故人の親友にして又た余の知人なるボストン市の出版業者ジェー・ビー・ミレット氏から、本意見書発表の由来をも添附して、余に寄送せられたのである。依つて之れを翻訳して再三再四熟読するに、論旨正確にして、公明の理路を辿り、加ふるに我邦に対する深厚なる友情は、真に紙面に溢るゝ感があり、所謂理義兼ね備はるの大文章で、独り我邦人の甘諾するのみならず、世界万国の読者をして、能く米国国士の真意を諒解せしむるの価値ありと信ずるのである。従つて日米の国交親善の為に多大の効果あるべきも、亦た喋々を須たざるのである。之れ余が玆に此絶筆的遺稿たる意見書の原文訳文を併せて剞劂に附し、以て我が内外の知友に頒たんとする所以である。而して余は信ずる、此挙や実に多年親交を重ねたる故偉人の高徳を偲び、其交誼に酬ゆる適当の方法であると。
回顧すれば余が初めて故ルーズヴェルト氏に面会したのは、今を距ること十八年の昔、即ち千九百二年の夏であつた。当時余は欧米漫遊の途次、華盛頓に抵つた時、好機を得て、大統領たる故人を白堊館に訪問したのが、即ち初対面の会見であつた。初対面なるにも拘はらず、故人は至極打解けたる態度を以つて余を迎接せられ、口を開いて先づ日本美術の優秀と軍備の充実とを称讚せられ、特に北清事変に於ける日本軍隊の勇敢と、其紀律の厳正にして且つ廉潔なりし事とを称揚し
 - 第48巻 p.27 -ページ画像 
て、斯る敬重すべき国の代表的人物たる貴下に会見するを得たことを喜ぶ旨を語られた。余は之に対して、閣下が我が邦の美術と軍隊とを称讚せられたことは感謝に堪へぬ、然かも余は実業家であるに（当時余は第一銀行頭取であつた）閣下の讚辞が実業の発展に及ばないのは余の心中私かに慚愧する所である、併し翻つて思ふに、日本の実業が未だ美術と軍隊とに及ばない所があるからであらう。余等実業家たるものは、自今以後一層奮励して之が発展を図り、他日閣下と再会の機会に於ては、親しく閣下の口より、日本実業の隆昌を称讚せられるのを聞く喜びを得たいと思ふと答へたのであつた、故人は余の此言を聞くや、破顔一笑して言はれるには、余が日本の銀行家に対して、美術軍隊のみを褒めて、讚辞の実業に及ばなかつたことは、注意の行き届かない所である、余は決して貴国実業の進歩を無視するものではない次回会見の場合に於ては、大に実業の発展を祝するの機会があらうと陳謝せられ、斯くて会見を終りて袂を分つた。
故人が日本及日本国民に対して、満足なる理解と好感とを有して居られたことは、右の会見に於ても、明らかに看取することが出来たのであるが、果然日露戦争の際に於て、故人が両国の媾和について特に尽瘁せらるゝ所少からざりし事は、世界の平和を愛する趣旨にもよるであらうが、亦我が邦に対する好意の発露であると、余は信じて疑はないのである。
かくて千九百十五年、巴那馬運河開通記念万国博覧会が桑港に開かれるに当り、余は参観の為め重ねて米国に旅行して、太平洋沿岸各地を巡遊の後、紐育に著したのは十一月の下旬であつたが、余は玆に再び故人と旧交を温むるの機会を得た。即ち故人は余の来遊を知るや、十二月二日を以て、オイスター・ベーなる本邸に余を招きて午餐会を開き、種々懇切を尽されたのである。当日の会合は全く家庭的のものであつて、余の外に招きを受けたのは、日本人では、余の親友たる高峰譲吉、頭本元貞の両氏で、他に二三の米人があつたのみである。余と故人との間に交換された幾多の談話の中、今も尚ほ鮮明に記憶する二三を挙ぐれば、第一は故人が日本の朝鮮統治に成功した事を祝されたのであつた。蓋し朝鮮総督府は其施政報告を刊行して、内外の政治家に配付し、氏も亦一本を得て之れを熟読したる結果、日本が馴れぬ殖民政策に適宜の措置を為し得たのを称讚されたのである。次で話頭は日本の実業問題に転じ、先年会見の際には、談此の事に及ばずして貴下の不満を買つたが、今日は先づ以て大に之れを称讚すると言つて、諧謔一番の後ち、近年に於ける日本実業の発展を称揚し、特に金融機関の組織は、米国を師として之を模倣したものであるにも拘らず、遥かに米国を凌駕して、統一の実を挙げたるを称讚せられた。蓋し米国に於ては、最近までも中央銀行の制度がなく、金融統一の機能を尽くすべき彼の「フェデラル・レザァブ・バンク」も、其頃は未だ完成を告げて居なかつたからである。更に談話は加州に於ける日本移民問題に及んだから、余は現在日米両国政府の間に協定せられた紳士協約は世界平等の主義から論ずれば、国際上甚だ嫌ふべき事と思ふと言つた処、氏は余の言に対して全然同意を表せず、凡そ国際間其風俗習慣を
 - 第48巻 p.28 -ページ画像 
異にし、其挙動頗る粗野にして、低廉なる賃銀を以て労働に従事し、剰さへ若干の蓄積を得れば、直ちに故国に帰らうとする日本人は、米国に取りては歓迎し得べきものでない、従つて制限的移民の必要あるは勿論のことである。但し此排斥は、宗教又は人種を異にするが為めの、差別的処置に非ざることを記憶せられよ、余は今貴下と対座して相互の間に毫も人種的差別の存在を意識することがないと答へられた又話題は支那問題に転じて、当時余が専ら主張して居た日米の経済界は、協力して支那の実業開発に勉めざるべからざるの必要を説き、更に其頃日本から支那に交渉中なる例の二十一ケ条の事に論及して、其意見を諮うた処、故人はそれに対して卒然の答は為し難きも、余は東洋平和の為めに、日本が其盟主たらざるべからざるを確信するが故に我が米国の国民にも、余と同一の思想を懐抱せしめたしと念ずるなりと述べられ、尚ほ種々の雑談に移りて時を消し、晩鴉の頃に至つて会談の終りを告げ、互に再会を約して惜しき袂を別つたが、再会の機は終に到らずして、氏は空しく白玉楼中の人となつた。
以上は故人と余と両度の会見に於て、互に胸襟を吐露したる談話の片影であるが、以て故人が懐抱せられた主義の如何に公明正大にして、且つ我邦を能く理解して居たかを知ることが出来ようと思ふ。余は平素故人を以て異境に於ける方面違ひの知己と推尊して居たのであるが今や其人亡し、嗚呼哀しい哉。而して余が此遺稿を訳して刊行するに際し、一言多年の交誼に言及した所以は、蓋し亡友に対する追慕の至情に外ならぬのである。
　ミレット氏から、此論文に書簡を添へて寄せられたのは、本年の二月中の事であつた、余は一読して之を刊行せんと志し、既に序文を記して置いたが、其後病気になつた事や、種々なる故障の為に、志を果さずして数ケ月を経たのは、余の遺憾とする所であるが、今や此に出版を見るに至つたから、其延引した事情をも附記して、読者諸君の諒解を請ふのである。
　　大正九年九月　　　　　　　　　　　子爵渋沢栄一

ルーズヴェルト氏の日本観　渋沢栄一編訳
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　英文欄・第九―一五頁　大正九年九月刊
　　　　　　　　　INTRODUCTION.

　　Ex-President of the United States of America Theodore Roosevelt prepared an article sometime during the five or six months preceding his most lamented death which took place in January 1919. The article was published in the Sunday issue of the New York Times on the 30th of November of the same year. This posthumous article has as its title "What the Japanese stood for in the World War." The article praises Japan, one of the Allied Nations, as one that stood for justice and humanity showing her bravery and chivalry in all her actions. Then he dwells on the details of how such a noble country as Japan should receive deep appreciations from other nations.
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　　I received a copy of this article from Mr. J. B. Millet, a Boston journalist and a very intimate friend of the late ex-President. Mr. Millet is also my acquaintance. He enclosed a copy in his letter to me explaining how the article came to be published. Its translation was submitted to me at once and I read it over and over again with increasing interest. The more I read it the better I became acquainted with the views of the author whose purpose and logic were most clearly set forth. Not only that, but his warm friendship for Japan was so graphically pictured that the article is indeed a rare production of logical acumen and of moral beauty. Japan, yea the whole world, should join in praise of this great patriot of America because of the revelation made through this production of such a high order. Such being the case, its publication will naturally serve to cement the friendly relations existing between America and Japan. My aim in reproducing it with its translation into the vernacular and of distributing copies to my friends at home and abroad was born of this conviction.
　　I also believe that in this way I can think of his noble life and repay the debt of love I owe him as my choice friend in the years gone by.
　　Looking backward to the scene which took place eighteen years ago, the summer of 1902, when I made my trips to America and Europe, I can recall a happy occasion whereon I was permitted to call on President Roosevelt in the White House. This was the first time that I met him. There he received me with an utmost frankness and cordiality which could only be accorded to those who are most intimate with him, and in his resourceful talks he went on to praise the exquisite delicacy of Japanese fine arts and the thoroughness of the military equipment of our army, especially the bravery, orderliness, and cleanliness of the Japanese army demonstrated at the time of the Boxer trouble in China. Then, squarely looking at me, he said that he was perfectly delighted to welcome a distinguished representative of a great nation like Japan. Responding to his kind remarks, I said to him: "I am a business man (I was then President of the Dai-ichi Ginko) who is intensely interested in the development of modern industry in Japan and therefore I am somewhat embarrassed in failing to hear your remarks along that line of our national life, because your silence on this matter speaks loudly that the development of our industry had not kept pace with that of art and the army. But my word should not be understood as an indication of depreciation on my part of your just comments on our art and military power. Now we who are
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 professed business men will so endeavor in the future that, when I see you again, I may have the privilege and joy of hearing from you an encouraging word about our industrial improvement." Giving a cracking peal of laughter, he said something like this: "It was rather discourteous on my part that I failed to recognize the marvelous achievements of the Japanese people along the line of modern industry in the presence of a famous banker like yourself. However, there was no intention on my part to ignore that phase of the life of your people. Please rest assured that I shall never let the opportunity of speaking of your industry go by when I enjoy the pleasure of meeting you again." Thus I bade him good-by.
　　I caught a glimpse of the good understanding and warm feeling of the eminent statesman towards Japan in this brief visit with him and this my impression was later corroborated by his noble work accomplished during the Russo-Japanese War. Although his arbitration work was undoubtedly prompted by his desire to bring about peace into the world, yet I believe that I am not far astray in construing his deed as an expression of his good-will towards Japan.
　　Later in 1915, it was my good fortune to find myself again in the United States. The occasion of my visit at this time was to attend the Memorial Exposition of the Opening of the Panama Canal, held in San Francisco. I visited the Exposition first and then the Pacific coast. After that I proceeded towards New York, reaching there the latter part of November, 1915. It was during my stay there that I was accorded another prviliege of calling on the ex-President. Having found out that I was in the city, he sent me an invitation to take lunch with him at his Oyster Bay home on the second of December. He gave me a warm reception, the occasion being altogether a home-like one. The Japanese guests were, besides myself, my intimate friends Dr. Jōkichi Takamine and Motosada Zumoto. There were two or three Americans present also.
　　Among the various matters talked about on that occasion, there were two or three things which are as fresh in my memory as the events but of yesterday. The first thing was his admiration of the success of the Japanese Government in the administrative work in Chosen. It was evident that the Oyster Bay hero already had read the printed report issued by the Government-General of Chosen concerning the administration, which was distributed to the leading statesmen at home and abroad. The point of his admiration was the fact that Japan, in spite of her new experience in her colonial policy, had well
 - 第48巻 p.31 -ページ画像 
 managed affairs in Chosen. Then he began to talk about Japan's industry, resorting to this strategy: "I incurred somewhat of displeasure from you in your former visit with me for not mentioning the industrial development of Japan, but this time I am ready to redeem myself from my old fault." He was most emphatic in commending the banking system of Japan and said that, although Japan started her financial system under the tutelage of the United States, yet she is now far ahead of the States in that she has a perfectly centralized organization of banking. He seemed to have been impressed with this phase of centralization, because at that time the United States did not have any federated system of the banking enterprise and the organization of the Federal Reserve Banks was not yet completed. Then again the conversation was turned on Japanese immigration. I told him that the "Gentlemen's Agreement" is a detestable pact, looking at it from the standpoint of human equality. He took an exception to this proposition shaking his head horizontally and expressed his views about it somewhat in the following fashion:-- namely, "There are differences of customs and manners in different countries. To allow into the United States a group of laborers whose manners are uncouth and who work for cheap wages, aiming to return to their own country as soon as their earnings reach a certain amount, is undesirable and there must certainly be a restrictive measure against the influx of such a class of people. However, this idea should not be construed as a discrimination against them because they belong to a different race and believe a strange religion. You notice that I don't entertain in the least the idea of discrimination while I am talking to you face to face." Regarding the Chinese question, I gave my opinion, which I was holding in those days, and which was in gist that America and Japan should carry on a financial cooperation in order to develop industry in China. Then I asked him to give me his views about the 21 demands Japan was making on China. He said that he was not quite prepared to give his impromptu answer to this question, but he continued saying that he had not the slightest doubt as to Japan's status as the leader of the Orient and that he was trying to instill into the minds of his countrymen this thought. Thus almost endless streams of conversation ran through till about dusk. Reluctant to part, I bade him farewell, promising to see him again, but alas, he is no more!
　　The above is a brief sketch of our free and frank conversations on the two different occasions we met. No careful reader
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 can fail to catch the principles and ideas enunciated by this statesman-warrior even in these cursory conversations. Certainly he well understood Japan and acted accordingly. I have always taken much pride in holding him as one of my esteemed friends beyond the Pacific Ocean, although we were differently cut out so far as the spheres of life's activity were concerned. But now he has crossed the bar never more to return. This booklet is prepared as a memorial whereby I may pay my tribute to him whom I respected and loved all through his public career.
　　　It was in the month of February this year that I received this article from Mr. Millet. My desire of publishing it sprang up within me after the wonderful joy I felt in my first reading of its translation. I at once began to prepare my introduction for it, but in the meantime I was crowded with many things that demanded my immediate attention, besides being ill. Thus its publication has been delayed altogether too long, which fact is a source of my sincere regret. As the booklet is about to start on its mission I wish to make this explanation to the reader.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　VISCOUNT E. SHIBUSAWA.

ルーズヴェルト氏の日本観　渋沢栄一編訳
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　英文欄・第一七頁　大正九年九月刊
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Century Club,
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　New York, December 3, 1919
　BARON SHIBUSAWA.
My dear Sir:
　　I have never forgotten your great kindness to me when I was in Japan in 1916. Your magnificent present adorns my library at home and has always been greatly admired by my friends. I take the liberty of reminding you that my purpose in visiting Japan at that time was to see what could be done to establish better relations. Upon my return here I was active in this effort and after a while decided that a most effective way would be to get my friend Col. Roosevelt to write an article for me to publish at the right time. As our public has been "overfed" on pro-Chinese talk, by paid agents, and is now in a frame of mind to listen more judicially, I have caused the enclosed message to be published in many newspapers in this country. I am already assured that it is doing great good in influencing Senators in Washington who needed just the assurance this former leader, ex-Pres. Roosevelt, has given them.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Sincerely yours,
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　J. B. MILLET.

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ルーズヴェルト氏の日本観　渋沢栄一編訳　第二一―二二頁　大正九年九月刊
　　　　ミレット氏の書翰
千九百十九年十二月三日
　　　　　　　　　　紐育市センチュリー倶楽部に於て
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　ジェー・ビー・ミレット
　　渋沢男爵閣下
拝啓　千九百十六年小生が貴国訪問の際、閣下より享けたる御厚意は小生の決して忘るゝこと能はざる所に御座候。閣下の壮麓なる御贈物は、小生の図書室を飾りて、多くの友人等より称讚致され候。閣下も今尚ほ御記憶の事と存じ候が、小生が貴国訪問当時の目的は、如何にせば両国間の親善に関し、多少なりとも貢献する所あるべきかを知らんが為に有之候。爾来今日に至るまで此方面に活動を試み居り候中、不図思ひ付き申候は、或る好機会を得て、小生の友人故ルーズヴェルト大佐の論文を公表致すことの、最も有効なる企図にあらずやといふ事に御座候。近来我が国民は米支親善の宣伝（此宣伝は特に雇はれたる有給者によりて鼓吹せられ居候）に食傷致し、唯今と相成り候ては却て真面目に事相を研究せんとの心理状態に復帰致し候間、小生は玆に封入する大佐の論文を、米国内の諸新聞紙に掲載せしむることゝ致し申候。其結果は甚だ良好にして、特に華盛頓府に於ける現上院議員に対しては、嘗て其指導者たりし故ルーズヴェルト氏の此論文が、多大の感化を与へたること確実なる由に御座候。敬具。
　　　○本書ノ概要左ノ如シ。
　　　　菊版・並製
　　　　和文　五二頁（序文共）目次一頁
　　　　英文　三八頁（英訳序文共）目次一頁
　　　　巻頭　ルーズヴェルト肖像一葉　署名附
　　　　和文目次　金子子爵の序
　　　　　　　　　石井子爵の序
　　　　　　　　　序言
　　　　　　　　　ミレット氏の書翰
　　　　　　　　　本論文発表の由来
　　　　　　　　　ルーズヴェルト氏の日本観
　　　　英文目次略ス。
　　　　表紙　和文ノ部ヲ本表紙トスレバ、裏側ノ表紙（表紙ノ四）ニ英文ヲ以テ左ノ標題ヲ記ス。
　　　　　　WHAT THE JAPANESE STOOD FOR IN THE WORLD WAR
　　　　　　　　BY THEODORE ROOSEVELT