One had to admit, the Japanese were excellent actors. On one side, they swore solemnly to Britain and France that they would join the war against Austria; on the other, they assured Austria that they would absolutely not infringe upon the Austrian South Seas.
As for the rumors making the rounds, those were all French conspiracies, vile schemes meant to drive a wedge between Japan and Austria.
Whether they were true or false did not matter. After a string of wild diplomatic maneuvers, the Japanese Government still secured tangible benefits.
Through sheer smooth-talking, on April 11, 1891, Hirobumi Ito signed the Japan–France Far East Treaty with French Minister Geleitelasi. In exchange for joining the war against Austria, Japan obtained the French Government's agreement to relinquish its privileges in Japan, opening the prelude to the Japanese Government's abolition of the unequal treaties.
Then, on April 18, Hirobumi Ito repeated the trick and signed the Anglo-Japanese Tokyo Treaty with the British, recovering Britain's privileges in Japan.
Still relying on smooth talk, on April 26 Hirobumi Ito signed the Japan–Austria Security Treaty with the Austrian minister. In exchange for not forming an alliance with France, the Japanese Government obtained Austria's abandonment of its privileges in Japan.
With the three great powers dealt with, the rest naturally posed no threat. Through a mixture of threats, inducements, and other methods, the Japanese Government miraculously abolished the unequal treaties signed with every country, becoming the first nation in Asia to possess complete sovereignty.
When the news reached Europe—well, Japan's presence was far too weak in those days. No one was interested at all. The media were busy reporting on the Continental War and naturally had no time to spare for it.
It was not merely the public that paid no attention; even the governments of various