The discussion places American treaty policy in the post-First World War security landscape, when Germany was defeated and the Anglo-Japanese Alliance remained a prominent strategic concern. From Washington's perspective, Britain and Japan together were the combination most capable of challenging American interests in the Pacific. The Anglo-American friendship was stronger than the viewer's comment suggests, while Britain still retained room to work with Japan. Some British observers warned that treating Japan as an inevitable enemy could become a self-fulfilling prophecy and encourage the hostility the treaty system was meant to contain.
Notable Point · 58:53-59:49
The Anglo-Japanese Alliance behind Washington security fears
The treaty debate is tied to American concern about the Anglo-Japanese Alliance and warnings that isolating Japan could deepen future hostility.