File No. 761.94/166

[Untitled]

Department’s telegram August 6, 4 p.m. Note from Foreign Office received today reads as follows in part:

The Imperial Government desires to assure the American Government that the new convention is in no sense designed to repeal or to modify the provisions of Article two of the convention concluded between Japan and Russia on July 31, 19075 nor have the Imperial Government entertained for a moment any intention to depart from the policy to which they have avowedly [Page 446] committed themselves respecting the maintenance of the independence and territorial integrity of China as well as the principle of equal opportunity for the trade of all nations in that country. On the contrary, they are as strongly convinced as ever of the usefulness of that policy in the interest of the general peace and stability in the Far East which they have always very near their heart.

An accompanying letter says, for your confidential information, that the supplementary provisions are still under negotiations and that the question involved does not affect the position of American Government or citizens.

Guthrie