Office of the Historian

The Emperor of Japan to the President of the United States.

[Translation.]

Great and Good Friend: When I learned that you had, in great sympathy and good will, invited the American public to come to the aid and succor of the famine-stricken people of my northeastern provinces, I hastened to express to you, through my representative at Washington my deep sense of gratitude.

The very generous and substantial contributions subscribed and collected by different American individuals and organizations and especially by the American National Red Cross and the Christian Herald, were received by the local authorities concerned through the kindness of the State Department, and were, with great care, distributed among the distressed in such a manner as to faithfully carry out the noble intentions of those who so liberally responded to your appeal. I need hardly assure you that by this means the most serious effects of the calamity were greatly mitigated.

Now that the immediate danger has been removed, I wish to assure you that I have been very deeply touched and gratified by the high example of international good will and friendship displayed by the people of the United States and that the memory of it will always be warmly cherished by me.

I remain, Mr. President, with the best wishes for your continued well-being,

Your sincere friend,

Mutsuhito.

Imperial Palace, Tokyo, the fourth day of the seventh month of the thirty-ninth year of Meiji.