At first Itagaki asserted in the bill that the conclusion of the problem of the treaty of amity (a machination to subdue Korea) should be done by force, but contrary to this Saigo asserted that he would become an ambassador plenipotentiary with antecedent costume, and not use force (Kenkan Taishi-ron (theory in which an ambassador is sent to Korea)).
議案は当初、板垣が武力による修好条約締結（征韓論）を主張したのに対し、西郷は武力を不可として、自分が旧例の服装で全権大使になる（遣韓大使論）と主張して対立した。