The Secretary of State to the Japanese Ambassador.
Washington, November 30, 1908.
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of to-day setting forth the result of the exchange of views between us in our recent interviews defining the understanding of the two Governments in regard to their policy in the region of the Pacific Ocean.
It is a pleasure to inform you that this expression of mutual understanding is welcome to the Government of the United States as appropriate to the happy relations of the two countries and as the occasion for a concise mutual affirmation of that accordant policy respecting the Far East which the two Governments have so frequently declared in the past.
I am happy to be able to confirm to your excellency, on behalf of the United States, the declaration of the two Governments embodied in the following words:
- 1.
- It is the wish of the two Governments to encourage the free and peaceful development of their commerce on the Pacific Ocean.
- 2.
- The policy of both Governments, uninfluenced by any aggressive tendencies, is directed to the maintenance of the existing status quo in the region above mentioned, and to the defense of the principle of equal opportunity for commerce and industry in China.
- 3.
- They are accordingly firmly resolved reciprocally to respect the territorial possessions belonging to each other in said region.
- 4.
- They are also determined to preserve the common interests of all powers in China by supporting by all pacific means at their disposal the independence and integrity of China and the principle of equal opportunity for commerce and industry of all nations in that Empire.
- 5.
- Should any event occur threatening the status quo as above described or the principle of equal opportunity as above defined, it remains for the two Governments to communicate with each other in order to arrive at an understanding as to what measures they may consider it useful to take.
Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurance of my highest consideration.