Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 3, 1912

File No. 894.607A/231.

The American Ambassador to the Secretary of State.

No. 44.]

American Embassy,
Tokyo, March 5, 1912.

Sir: Referring to my despatch No. 17, of January 8,³ reporting that I had been informally advised by the Department of Agriculture and Commerce of the Japanese Government that the proposed holding by the Government of an International Exposition at Tokyo in 1917 had been abandoned, I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of a note, dated February 29, from the Foreign Office, stating officially that the Government have, to their deep regret, been compelled by unavoidable circumstances to abandon the project.

Some reference has been made in the local press to the possibility that those countries, including America and Mexico, which had arranged for participation in the exposition, might feel offense in the abandonment of the enterprise, but it should be viewed simply as an economy made necessary by the present Government’s policy of retrenchment in national finance.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, in my last interview with him, said the chief regret of himself and his colleagues at the abandonment of the exposition was on account of the generous appropriation made by our Government, granted as a bounteous evidence of friendliness and encouragement.

I have [etc.]

Charles Page Bryan.

[Inclosure.—Translation.]

The Minister for Foreign Affairs to the American Ambassador.

No. 20.]

Department of Foreign Affairs,
Tokyo, February 29, 1912.

Mr. Ambassador: Referring to our former communication in regard to the Grand Exhibition of Japan which was to be held in Tokyo in 1917, I beg leave to inform you that the Imperial Government have to their deep regret been compelled by unavoidable circumstances to abandon that project.

I avail [etc.]

Viscount Y. Uchida.

3. Not printed.