Mr. Hay to Mr. Buck.
Washington , September 7, 1899 .
Our present and prospective interest in the Philippine Islands and Guam, joined to the commercial benefits to be derived from a direct telegraphic union of the Japanese Empire and the United States, strongly point to the desirability of creating such communication under American auspices. If you can discreetly ascertain that the Japanese Government is well disposed toward a distinctive American cable, you may represent to the Japanese Government that it will be agreeable to the United States if the Pacific Cable Company of New York be authorized to establish cable communication between the United States and Japan.