893.51/2819
The Department of State to the Japanese Embassy
Memorandum
The Government of the United States has been pleased to receive the Imperial Japanese Government’s memorandum of May 8, 1920, in reply to that of the Government of the United States dated the 29th of the preceding month, and is deeply gratified to observe there-from that the Imperial Japanese Government has no intention of insisting upon the explicit assurance or consent of the Government of the United States in regard to the two points raised by the Imperial Japanese Government with reference to the Taonanfu-Jehol Railway and the line connecting a point thereon with a seaport. The Government of the United States also takes note with sincere pleasure that the Imperial Japanese Government is prepared to lend its support to the conclusion of the arrangement between the banking groups concerned, and to give the arrangement the necessary confirmation upon the same terms as the Governments of the United States, Great Britain, and France have already done without conditions or provisos.
It is most gratifying to the Government of the United States that the underlying principles and policies of the new International Consortium are now so fully understood and agreed upon that the representatives of the banking groups may proceed to its formation and the consideration of the working details of its operation. The Government of the United States again can assure the Imperial Japanese Government that its sole aim in all the negotiations just completed has been to bring about an arrangement which would insure entire cooperation on the part of the interested Governments on a basis which would be to their mutual advantage and for the lasting benefit of China. The Government of the United States looks forward with keen anticipation to the friendly cooperation under the Consortium arrangement, with entire confidence that such practical joint endeavor is the beginning of a new era of good will and accomplishment for both Governments.