File No. 893.00/2626
The Secretary of State to Chargé Wheeler
Washington, June 29, 1917, 4 p.m.
The Japanese Ambassador on June 21 handed me a copy of a message received by him from Viscount Motono under date of June 19 as follows:
You are instructed to see the Secretary of State at the earliest opportunity and to assure him of the deep sense of gratitude which the Japanese Government feels upon learning that its frank and sincere expression of views has been received by Mr. Lansing in an equally friendly spirit. You will add at the same time that it has been my ardent desire, cherished for years, to establish a strong tie of mutual confidence between our two nations by eradicating all possible causes of misunderstanding and that for the success of my endeavors toward this end I deem it most essential to depend upon the sympathy and cooperation of the Secretary of State.
You will please say to Viscount Motono that his friendly message has been received with pleasure and that I share his ardent desire for the establishment of a strong tie of mutual confidence between our two [Page 79] nations by the eradication of all possible causes of misunderstanding. I am glad to cooperate with him towards this end; therefore to his frank and sincere expression of views I am making a reply equally sincere and frank and none the less inspired by the most cordial good will.