Office of the Historian

Fila No. 895.102/21.

Ambassador Guthrie to the Secretary of State.

No. 57.]
American Embassy,
Tokyo, March 27, 1914.

Sir: Supplementing my despatch No. 56 of the 26th instant, relative to the approval of the protocol stipulating the conditions of transfer of the Foreign Settlements in Chosen, I have now the honor to inclose a copy of a note received today from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in which he informs me that the Government General of Chosen intends to put in force its ordinance for carrying into effect the abolition of the said settlements on April 1 next.

I have been unofficially informed by the British Ambassador that as his objections have not been met he had yesterday afternoon refused to consent to the exchange of notes confirming the protocol on behalf of his Government.

What effect this will have on the proposed action by the Minister for Foreign Affairs I am not informed. However, in order that the Consul General at Seoul may be prepared to act, I am advising him of the proposed action of the Government General.

I have [etc.]

Geo. W. Guthrie
.
[Inclosure—Translation.]

The Minister for Foreign Affairs to Ambassador Guthrie.

Department of Foreign Affairs,
Tokyo, March 26, 1914.

Monsieur l’Ambassadeur: Referring to my note of the 20th instant, relative to the conclusion of the formalities required for the approval of the protocol respecting the abolition of the Foreign Settlements in Chosen, I have the honor [Page 439] to inform your excellency that the Government General of Chosen intends to put in force its ordinance for carrying into effect the abolition of the said settlements (Serial No. 7 of the 30th of October, 1913) on the 1st April next.

I avail [etc.]

Baron N. Makino
.