The Japanese Minister to the Secretary of State.
Washington , October 31, 1905 .
My Dear Mr. Secretary: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your note of yesterday’s date advising me that my communication of the 20th instant regarding the exchange of prisoners was received on Saturday the 21st, and was cabled to Russia on Monday the 23d and that no reply has been received; and, further, that you have cabled yesterday to the American embassy to get a reply if possible. I have received a telegram from Baron Komura informing me that a Russian commissioner has arrived in Japan and the necessary steps will be shortly taken to commence the delivery of the Russian prisoners. It seems that the Russian Government sent their instructions to the proper authorities in the Far East but their answer has not reached St. Petersburg as yet.
Thanking you cordially for the action so promptly taken in compliance with our request,
I remain, etc.,