This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government,
AFFAIRS OF CHINA,
CONFIDENTIAL.
[42324]
(No. 370.) Sir,
No. 1.
Sir Edward Grey to Mr. Bryce.
VAS
681
[December 4.]
SECTION 1.
C.0
47047
REC?
REG 23 DEC 08
Foreign Office, December 4, 1908.
I GAVE the American Ambassador on the 30th ultimo the following reply to his communication to me of the Agreement with Japan:
"I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 23rd instant communicating to me the text of a declaration of the policy, aims, and intentions of the United States and Japan in the region of the Pacific Ocean, which is to be embodied in an exchange of notes between the American Secretary of State and the Japanese Ambassador at Washington.
His Majesty's Government have learnt with sincere satisfaction of the impending conclusion of such an Agreement, the objects of which, as your Excellency observes, are in entire accord with the corresponding provisions of the Anglo-Japanese Agreement of August 1905, and also with the policy of cordial understanding between Great Britain and the United States, which has been pursued for so long to the advantage of the interests of both countries. The information conveyed by your Excellency is most welcome to His Majesty's Government, and they are confident that the conclusion of the Agreement in question cannot fail to have beneficial results, not only to the respective interests of the United States and of Japan, but to the general peace in the Pacific and Far East."
I reminded him that when he had made this communication to me I had expressed the opinion that it was very good news, and that he had asked for something which he could send on to his Government; therefore I gave him this written reply.
He told me he had reported what I had said, with the proviso that I had wished for a little time to examine the document he had given me.
I then went on to say that, if a few days ago I had been asked to say what Agreement I should most like to see made between any two other Powers, I should have suggested something of this kind between the United States and Japan. It was exceedingly welcome to us.
[2049 d-1]
I am,
&c.
(Signed)
E. GREY.
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government,
AFFAIRS OF CHINA,
CONFIDENTIAL.
[42324]
(No. 370.) Sir,
No. 1.
Sir Edward Grey to Mr. Bryce.
VAS
681
[December 4.]
SECTION 1.
C.0
47047
REC?
REG 23 DEC 08
Foreign Office, December 4, 1908. I GAVE the American Ambassador on the 30th ultimo the following reply to his communication to me of the Agreement with Japan :
"I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 23rd instant communicating to me the text of a declaration of the policy, aims, and intentions of the United States and Japan in the region of the Pacific Ocean, which is to be embodied in an exchange of notes between the American Secretary of State and the Japanese Ambassador at Washington.
His Majesty's Government have learnt with sincere satisfaction of the impending conclusion of such an Agreement, the objects of which, as your Excellency observes, are in entire accord with the corresponding provisions of the Anglo-Japanese Agree- ment of August 1905, and also with the policy of cordial understanding between Great Britain and the United States, which has been pursued for so long to the advantage of the interests of both countries. The information conveyed by your Excellency is most welcome to His Majesty's Government, and they are confident that the conclusion of the Agreement in question cannot fail to have beneficial results, not only to the respective interests of the United States and of Japan, but to the general peace in the Pacific and Far East."
I reminded him that when he had made this communication to me I had expressed the opinion that it was very good news, and that he had asked for something which he could send on to his Government; therefore I gave him this written reply.
He told me he had reported what I had said, with the proviso that I had wished for a little time to examine the document he bad given me.
I then went on to say that, if a few days ago I had been asked to say what Agreement I should most like to see made between any two other Powers, I should have suggested something of this kind between the United States and Japan. It was exceedingly welcome to us.
[2049 d-1]
I am,
&c.
(Signed)
E. GREY.
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