Ambassador Meyer to
the Secretary of State.
American Embassy,
St.
Petersburg, June 16,
1905.
No. 68.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith copy
of French text of Russia’s official note of acceptance to the
President’s invitation for Russian and Japanese plenipotentiaries to
meet in order to see if it is not possible for the two powers to agree
to terms of peace. Attached will be found translation of the official
note, as cabled June 12 to the Department. * * *
On Thursday morning, June 15, I took the extra precaution of showing the
embassy’s translation of Russia’s note to the minister of foreign
affairs in order to remove any doubt that might hereafter arise and for
the purpose of ascertaining definitely if it met entirely with his
understanding and was in accordance with his meaning. Count Lamsdorff,
after reading the English translation, said that it was quite correct. *
* *
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to Ambassador Meyer.
Ministry for Foreign Affairs, First
Department,
May 30 (June 12), 1905.
No. 957.]
Your Excellency: I have not failed to place
before my august master the telegraphic communication which your
excellency has been pleased to transmit to me under instructions of
your government.
His Majesty, much moved by the sentiments expressed by the President,
is glad to find in it a new proof of the traditional friendship
which unites Russia to the United States of America, as well as an
evidence of the high value which Mr. Roosevelt attaches, even as his
Imperial Majesty does, to that universal peace so essential to the
welfare and progress of all humanity.
With regard to the eventual meeting of Russian and Japanese
plenipotentiaries “in order to see if it is not possible for the two
powers to agree to terms of peace,” the Imperial Government has no
objection in principle to this endeavor if the Japanese Government
expresses the desire.
