posted on 2023-08-03, 14:51authored byFrancis Elton Atwater
A deep interest in understanding Japan, particularly American relations to Japan, is at the root of this study. That vast subject of American relations to Japan falls roughly into two divisions, a) the period of distinct cordiality and friendship from 1853 to 1905, and b) the period of increasing suspicion and distrust from 1906 to date. Because the Russo-Japanese War in 1904 and 1905 has been regarded as the turning point in American sympathy toward Japan, I was led to make this study of American public opinion with reference to it. I did so in the hope of finding out if possible whether that sentiment actually changed during the war, and if so approximately when.