File No. 793.94/175.
Memorandum of a conversation between the Acting Secretary of State and the Japanese Ambassador.
Washington, May 16, 1912.
The Japanese Ambassador said that he was ordered by his Government to explain to us that, in view of Russia’s reservation of rights in relation to Northern Manchuria, Mongolia and Western China, the Japanese Government had felt that silence might be misconstrued and that therefore Japan must make reservation as to eastern Inner Mongolia (bordering on Southern Manchuria) in which quarter Japan was naturally interested.
I replied that this Government would take due note of the fact that Japan desires thus to extend the reservation previously made in correspondence here and in the European capitals wherein, with regard to both Japanese and Russian reservations, this Government had been quite willing to acquiesce, on the understanding of course that the rights and interests referred to were those covered by treaty or convention.