File No. 763.72/538
The British Chargé d’Affaires (Barclay) to the Secretary of State 1
[Memorandum]
His Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires presents his compliments to the Secretary of State and has the honour to communicate to him the following telegram which has been received from Sir Edward Grey:
The Governments of Great Britain and Japan having been in communication with each other are of opinion that it is necessary for each to take action to protect the general interests in the Far East contemplated by the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, keeping specially in view the independence and integrity of China as provided for in that agreement.
It is understood that the action of Japan will not extend to the Pacific Ocean beyond the China Seas, except in so far as it may be necessary to protect Japanese shipping lines in the Pacific, nor beyond Asiatic waters westward of the China Seas, nor to any foreign territory except territory in German occupation on the continent of eastern Asia.
- Repeated to the Ambassadors in Great Britain and Japan, August 18, and to the Chargé d’Affaires in China, August 19.↩