Chargé Wilson to the Secretary of State.

No. 436.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of a note, dated the 8th instant, whereby the minister for foreign affairs formally gives notice that the Japanese Government will not hereafter entertain diplomatic intervention in regard to contentious matters in respect to which a judicial remedy exists unless such remedy shall have been completely exhausted and a case justifying diplomatic intervention is presented.

This communication, I learn, is in the nature of a circular and has been sent to all the foreign representatives in Tokyo.

I have, etc.,

Huntington Wilson.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]

The Minister for Foreign Affairs to Chargé Wilson .

Sir: During the existence of consular jurisdiction, the Imperial Government were, not infrequently, called upon to consider in a diplomatic way questions in respect of which unexhausted judicial remedies existed. They had expected that this irregular and unusual practice would cease after the system which gave it birth had come to an end.

But that expectation has not been fully realized, and the experience of the last six years has satisfied the Imperial Government that, in order to bring their procedure into harmony with the rule on the subject which prevails in other countries, it is necessary for them to establish by formal notice the change in practice.

Accordingly, the undersigned, His Imperial Majesty’s minister for foreign affairs, has the honor to acquaint you that the Imperial Government will be unable hereafter to regard any contentious matter in respect of which a judicial remedy exists as ripe for diplomatic intervention until such remedy has been completely exhausted and a case justifying such interventon is presented.

The undersigned, in requesting you to bring this notice to the attention of your Government, begs to renew, etc.,

Marquis Saionji.