THE JAPANESE PROPOSAL FOR RACIAL EQUALITY REJECTED BY US PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON

THE JAPANESE PROPOSAL FOR RACIAL EQUALITY

REJECTED BY US PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON

AT VERSAILLES TREATY NEGOTIATIONS

During the Paris Peace Conference to end World War I, Japan introduced a racial equality proposal that would help establish equal opportunity for all races and nationalities. This section of the treaty was favored by France, Italy and Greece. However, US President Woodrow Wilson along with the leaders of Great Britain and Australia rejected this proposal. As a result it did not become part of treaty.

Japan proposed:

“The equality of nations being a basic principle of the League of Nations, the High Contracting Parties agree to accord as soon as possible to all alien nationals of states, members of the League, equal and just treatment in every respect making no distinction, either in law or in fact, on account of their race or nationality.”

NPR Article on Treaty of Versailles Rejection of Racial Equality Proposal

Paris Peace Conference

Treaty of Versailles

Wilson’s Address to Congress