File No. 763.72111G27/3

The Japanese Ambassador ( Chinda ) to the Acting Secretary of State

My dear Mr. Lansing : Adverting to our conversation on October 26 and to your unofficial letter of October 271 relating to the German man-of-war Geier and the Japanese battleship Hizen, I wish to inform you that the purport of our conversation as well as the contents of your letter has been referred to the home Government.

In the meantime, Baron Kato has sent me telegraphic instructions, which apparently crossed my cables, the substance of which I beg to enclose herewith. With regard to it, I should be greatly obliged if you would give me further information concerning your intention as regards the disposition of the Geier.

I am [etc.]

S. Chinda

[Enclosure—Substance of telegram]

The Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs ( Kato ) to the Japanese Ambassador at Washington ( Chinda )

[Received October 27, 1914.]

I am advised that the German man-of-war Geier entered the port of Honolulu on the forenoon of October 15 and commenced repairs on the forenoon of the 17th and that there is as yet no prospect of her leaving the port.

The Imperial Government, while implicitly relying on the strict maintenance of neutrality on the part of the United States Government, are constrained to view with some uneasiness the fact that the above man-of-war is apparently showing little sign of progress on repairs and of leaving the port, even after the elapse of two weeks.

On the one hand, the Imperial Government are inclined to question whether such a state of things could fairly be reconciled with the spirit of Article 17 of the Hague convention concerning the rights and duties of neutral powers in naval war, and, on the other, are compelled to point out the circumstance that the Raid man-of-war, while having not the slightest apprehension of danger so long as she stays in the port of Honolulu, is a constant source of uneasiness and danger to the Japanese merchant vessels on the trade routes between Japan and the United States.

In the circumstances, you will approach the United States Government informally, and ascertain and report as to their intention as regards the disposition of the Geier.

  1. Post, p. 661.