File No. 793.94/338a.
The Secretary of State to Minister Reinsch.47
Washington, May 6, 1915—7 p.m.
The following notice was given to the press this evening for release May 7:
In order that there may be no misunderstanding of the position of the United States in reference to the negotiations pending between Japan and China the following announcement is made:
At the beginning of negotiations the Japanese Government confidentially informed this Government of the matters which were under discussion and accompanied the information by the assurance that Japan had no intention of interfering with either the political independence or territorial integrity of China, and that nothing that she proposed would discriminate against other Powers having treaties with China, or interfere with the “Open Door” policy to which all the leading nations are committed.
This Government has not only had no thought of surrendering any of its treaty rights with China, but it has never been asked by either Japan or China to make any surrender of these rights. There is no abatement of its interest in the welfare and progress of China and its sole interest in the present negotiations is that they may be concluded in a manner satisfactory to both nations, and that the terms of the agreement will not only contribute to the prosperity of both of these great Oriental empires but maintain that cordial relationship so essential to the future of both, and to the peace of world.
- The same to the American Ambassador at Tokyo.↩