793.94/1422: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Japan (Wilson)

31. Department’s telegram No. 28, March 30, 2 p.m.3

Japanese Ambassador on April 3 asked me whether … I would be willing as a matter of formality to embody in an exchange of notes a formula setting forth the cancellation of the Lansing-Ishii notes, with a view to the presentation to the Throne and consideration by the Privy Council of this new exchange of notes. I expressed my readiness to accommodate the Japanese Government in the matter of form on the understanding that the substantial facts are not affected. On April 4th I submitted to the Japanese Ambassador tentative drafts of an exchange of notes, of which the following is the essential portion.

“The discussions between the two Governments have disclosed an identity of view and, in the light of the more recent formulation of principles and policies with respect to China, arrived at by the Washington Conference on the Limitation of Armament, and incorporated in the conclusions of that Conference, the American and Japanese Governments are agreed to consider the Lansing-Ishii correspondence of November 2, 1917, as canceled and of no further force or effect.”

Mail copy to Peking for information only.

Hughes
  1. Not printed.