Office of the Historian

File No. 811f.812/756a.

The Secretary of State to the Japanese Ambassador.

Department of State,
Washington, February 2, 1915.

My dear Mr. Ambassador: The President of the United States regrets exceedingly that because of the stress of public business, he will be unable to go to Panama in March next, and that in consequence the formal celebration of the opening of the Panama canal will be postponed.

It is expected, however, that the ceremonies will take place in July, of which the Government of Japan will be seasonably informed.

The President highly appreciates the courtesy of the Government of Japan in accepting the invitation to be represented in this celebration, and by his direction the American Ambassador at Tokyo has by cable been instructed to express to that Government the President’s hope that, in no wise inconvenienced by this unavoidable postponement and moved by the same friendly consideration for the Government of the United States, the Government of Japan may be pleased to determine that its participation in the event shall in no wise be affected by this postponement.

I am [etc.]

W. J. Bryan.