Mr. Griscom to Mr. Hay.
Tokyo, January 13, 1904.
(Mr. Griscom reports that in accordance with the decision of the council of the Empire, which met yesterday, the following modifications of the Russian proposals will be submitted to the Russian Government by the Japanese minister at St. Petersburg:
- First. To insist upon suppressions of the article relating to the [Page 411] establishment of a neutral zone in the Korean territory north of the thirty-ninth parallel.
- Second. Russian proposal concerning Manchuria to be modified
as follows:
- (a)
- Recognition by Japan of Manchuria and its littoral as being outside her sphere of interest, and an engagement on the part of Russia to respect the territorial integrity of China in Manchuria.
- (b)
- Russia, within the limits of Manchuria, will not impede Japan nor other powers in the enjoyment of rights and privileges acquired by them under existing treaties with China.
- (c)
- Recognition by Russia of Korea and its littoral as being outside her sphere of interest.
Appended note.—It should be remarked that suppression of the clause including the establishment of settlements in Manchuria is because of its conflict with the stipulations of the new commercial treaty between Japan and China. In this respect, however, Japan will be satisfied if she receive equal treatment with another power which has already acquired similar rights in regard to settlements in Manchuria.
The above appended note will be a part of the note verbale which will be presented to Russia, which will also state that “the modifications are presented in a spirit of perfect conciliation and in the hope that they will be received in the same spirit on the part of the Russian Government,” and which will close by expressing “the hope of an early reply.”
It is intended to make it clear that the note verbale is in no way considered an ultimatum, and the council decided that “in the event of no reply from Russia being forthcoming within a reasonable time, or of the receipt of an unfavorable reply, the Japanese Government will consider and decide what measures it may have to take to protect its rights and interests.” The note verbale will not specify any time limit in which a reply is expected. It will be telegraphed to St. Petersburg this evening.)