The Japanese Chargé to the Acting Secretary of State.
Washington, January 16, 1906.
My Dear Mr. Bacon: On receipt of your personal note of the 10th instant, in which, inclosing copy of the note from the honorable the Secretary of Agriculture, you inquired of me whether the reported famine situation in the northeastern provinces of Japan is, in fact, so serious that outside contributions would be acceptable, I telegraphed at once to the foreign office for information and have received the following reply:
Further inquiry into the condition of famine in the northeastern provinces disclosed its extreme seriousness, and the suffering of the people is very great. The Government is contriving all means of relief, and although they are not at present counting upon outside aid, any voluntary contributions of charitable parties will be gladly accepted by them. It being the scheme of the Government, however, to establish works and give employment to the distressed population instead of promiscuously distributing money among them, so as to enable them to earn their own livelihood without depending upon charity, the Government would desire that the disposition of such relief funds may be entirely intrusted to them.
It affords me great pleasure to avail myself of this opportunity for expressing my deep appreciation of the sympathetic sentiment displayed on this occasion by your countrymen toward my people.
I am, etc.,