Mr. Gresham to Mr. Bayard.
Washington , November 20, 1893 .
Sir: I have received and considered your dispatch of the 1st instant, relative to the necessity of obtaining the adhesion and cooperation of other nations, and notably of Japan, Hawaii, Korea, and Russia, to the award and regulations submitted by the Paris Tribunal of Arbitration.
My instructions of the 24th ultimo, which you had apparently not received at the date of writing, anticipates to some extent specific response to your suggestions, at least so far as showing the desire of Japan to become a party to some protective arrangement embracing the entire waters above the thirty-fifth degree of north latitude and between the American and Japanese coasts.
As you remark, the interests of Russia, like those of Japan, are almost identical with those of the United States—what is desirable for one being alike so for all. The concurrence of Russia in any appropriate scheme of protection by the United States and Great Britain may reasonably be expected, and the concurrence of Japan is promised if all the waters above the thirty-fifth degree of north latitude be protected.
The exigencies of the case, however, preclude any delay in reaching the necessary arrangements between the United States and Great Britain as the two parties primarily interested in giving immediate and positive effect to the award and proposals of the Paris Tribunal; and the negotiations to that end should not be made dependent on the acquiescence of other powers.
The President does not doubt that you will press with all urgency negotiations for an agreement upon measures which will be efficient in carrying out the submitted regulations This is of primary importance.
I am, etc.,