Mr. Takahira to Mr. Hay.
Washington, May 23, 1904.
Sir: A Japanese merchant steamer, the Hagino-ura Maru, which left Sun-jin for Fusan on the 25th of April last, was sunk by the [Page 436] Russian fleet on the coast of Hang-Kiang-do, Korea, about the time that the Kinshu Maru was sunk, and the crew was captured. I have the honor to inform you that I am now in receipt of a telegram from the Imperial Government stating that the Hagino-ura Maru was engaged in the coasting trade of Korea for commercial purposes solely, and, unlike the Kinshu Maru, had no connection whatever with the Japanese Government.
I am, therefore, instructed to request you to kindly direct the United States ambassador at St. Petersburg to communicate with the Russian Government upon the subject, so that the crew of the Hagino-ura Maru may be sent back to Japan by some suitable means, as was done in the case of the crew of the Nakano-ura Maru.
Accept, etc.,