No. 416.
Count Inouye to Mr. Kuki.
Minister Kuki: Inform the honorable Secretary of State that a careful examination to which the draft of the jurisdictional convention was submitted by the imperial cabinet showed the necessity of essential modifications and additional interpretations.
Particular exception was taken to the stipulation of Article V by which the Japanese codification had to be submitted to the approbation of foreign powers.
Although the wording of the article is not expressed in these words, the cabinet assumes from subsequent debates that this was meant. The cabinet in this respect is of opinion that it would be in conformity with our national dignity, if the laws were completed in the first instance, [Page 666] because this would prove that submission was unnecessary by authorisation of the Japanese Government. Therefore, declared on the 29th ultimo the adjournment of the conference sine die until the Japanese Government be able to show the results of codification. Explain to the honorable Secretary of State that while regretting this interruption of the conference our object is not to relinquish the work of progress, but, on the contrary, to pursue it in a manner compatible with our national dignity.