The Acting Secretary of State to the Japanese Minister.

No. 217.]

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note No. 51, of the 20th instant, informing the Department that the intention of your government is to carry out the proposed arrangements for the exchange of prisoners soon after the ratification of the treaty by the sovereigns of Japan and Russia, which treaty, you say, becomes immediately operative thereon even before the execution of the usual formalities of exchanging the same.

In reply I have the honor to say that a telegram was sent to the American ambassador at St. Petersburg on the 22d instant directing him to communicate to the Russian Government the information contained in your note.

Accept, etc.,

Alvey A. Adee.