For a long time, Ito had been wary of Motoda who was known for his adverse opinion towards the modernization of Japan, and Ito immediately wrote 'Kyoikugi' (Proposition on Education) protesting vehemently that Motoda's view is the unrealistic theory; and thus they fiercely confronted each other.
かねてより日本の近代化そのものに否定的な考えを持っていることで知られた元田に警戒感を抱いていた伊藤は、ただちに「教育議」を執筆して元田の主張こそ現実離れの空論であると噛み付き、両者は激しく論争した。