File No. 768.72/434
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Guthrie)
Washington August 19, 1914, 2 p.m.
[Telegram]
Your cipher telegram of August 15, midnight. In reply to the statement of the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs you will communicate to him textually the following:
The American Government, while regretting that differences have arisen between the Imperial Japanese Government and the Imperial German Government which may eventuate in war, does not, in accordance with its policy of strict neutrality in relation to disputes between other nations, express any opinion as to the merits of the differences. It however, notes with satisfaction that Japan, in demanding the surrender by Germany of the entire leased territory of Kiaochow, does so with the purpose of restoring that territory to China, and that Japan is seeking no territorial aggrandizement in China in the movement now contemplated, but is acting in strict pursuance of the alliance with Great Britain. It is recalled that one of the aims of that alliance is declared to be “the preservation of the common interest of all powers in China by insuring the independence and integrity of China and the principle of equal opportunities for the commerce and industry of all nations in China.” Should disturbances in the interior of China seem to the Japanese Government to require measures to be taken by Japan or other powers to restore order, the Imperial Japanese Government will no doubt desire to consult with the American Government before deciding upon a course of action. This would be in accordance with the agreement made in the exchange of notes on the 30th of November, 1908 by His Excellency, Baron Kogoro Takahira, then Japanese Ambassador to the United States, and Hon. Elihu Root, then American Secretary of State.
Repeat to Peking as strictly confidential for information only.