His resignation was accepted by Hirobumi ITO, who wanted to pursue Navy reforms, a policy pledge at the preceding Imperial decree, and tried to headhunt Tsugumichi SAIGO, kaito (party leader) of the opposite Nation Association.
伊藤博文は先の和協詔勅において、政府の公約であった海軍行革の推進と野党の国民協会_(日本)の会頭（党首）・西郷従道の引抜きを図るために辞任を認めた。