remarks of viscount aoki, japanese ambassador, on the occasion of the presentation of his letter of credence.
Mr. President: Moved by the desire to give to the diplomatic relation so happily existing between Japan and the United States a more intimate character and to consecrate its growling importance, His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, my august sovereign, has resolved to raise the rank of his diplomatic mission at Washington to that of [Page 1007] an embassy, and I have been directed by His Majesty to deliver into your hands the letter accrediting me to you in the capacity of his ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, together with another letter relieving Mr. Kogoro Takahira of his duties as His Majesty’s envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary near the Government of the United States.
In entering upon the duties of the office with which I have been honored, I am commanded by His Majesty to convey to you, Mr. President, his wish for your personal health and happiness and for the prosperity and well-being of the people of the United States, While no effort shall be spared on my part to maintain and strengthen the relations of sincere friendship and good will between our two nations, which have proved to be so fruitful of beneficent results, I may be permitted to say that I feel the responsibility all the more keenly in having been chosen as the first ambassador from Japan to the United States. I should indeed be happy if my efforts in the direction referred to would be proved to be successful, for it is the earnest desire alike of my imperial master and of his people to further develop the bonds of friendship and good accord which unite the two countries. I trust that, in the execution of the high mission intrusted to me, I may rely upon the same benevolence and kindly assistance which it has been the good fortune of the representatives of the Imperial Government to receive at your hands.