No. 119.
Count de
Rémusat to the Marquis de
Noailles.
[Received from Marquis de Noailles, March 13, 1873.]
Monsieur le Marquis: The Japanese ambassadors, who, after their sojourn in the United States, visited England, finally came to perform the mission in France which had been confided to them. They had not been furnished with the necessary powers to enter into negotiations, properly so called, at Paris any more than at London, and the discussion concerning a revision of the treaties will not be opened until their return to Japan. Although the conversations which I have had with the first ambassador, Iwakura, only constitute an interchange of views upon the various questions touching the relations between France and Japan, they afforded me an opportunity to elicit statements from the envoy of the Mikado which possess real interest for us.
I think it proper for me to send you inclosed, for your information, a report of these conversations. One of the matters insisted upon by Iwakura, that of the Simonosaki indemnity, is one in which the United States are interested in common with us, and the Senate not yet having ratified the act releasing Japan from all obligation toward the Washington Government, it is not improper for you to be enabled to inform the Secretary of State, if anything lead thereto, in what sense I have explained myself. The considerations urged by the Japanese government in support of its desire to have what remains due remitted, have not seemed to us to justify its request. I have therefore maintained the right of the powers to expect payment in full, without, however, formally refusing to admit the possibility, (which is admitted by the London cabinet,) of a concession, the expediency of which we shall appreciate after having come to an understanding with the other Governments interested.
Receive, &c.