701.9411/251

The Ambassador in Japan ( Morris ) to the Secretary of State

No. 411

Sir: I have the honor to forward herewith copy of a letter which I wrote to Viscount Uchida, containing the substance of a message sent by Secretary Lansing to the Department of State and by it transmitted in his behalf to Viscount Ishii together with a copy of a note of acknowledgment and thanks from Viscount Uchida in reply.73

I have [etc.]

Roland S. Morris
[Page 566]
[Enclosure]

The American Ambassador ( Morris ) to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs ( Uchida )

My Dear Viscount Uchida: It gives me much pleasure to communicate to you the following, which is the substance of a message sent by Secretary Lansing to the Department of State and by it transmitted in his behalf to Viscount Ishii on the 19th instant:

“Please say to Viscount Ishii that I have learned with great regret that he is thinking of resigning the Ambassadorship at Washington—a post which he is fulfilling so acceptably to the American Government, and no less so, I am sure, to his own Government. I am particularly pained to be informed that his proposed action is due to the failure of my memory to coincide with his in the recollection of a conversation concerning Baron Sakatani, whom I also esteem highly. I venture to hope that Viscount Ishii will reconsider the matter and will put aside all thought of resigning. I wish him a pleasant vacation, but hope to find him returning soon to Washington, where his gifts of mind and heart will be of great value in preserving the cordial relations now existing between our several countries,”

Very sincerely yours,

Roland S. Morris
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